State v. Thomas

In this case, the trial court found defendant to be a habitual offender but departed downward from the recommended sentence under the guidelines (6]/j years) to impose a sentence of 10 years probation with a special condition for treatment at the Drug Farm followed by 6 months community control and 2 years drug reporting probation. In so doing, the judge fully stated his reasons for departure on the record at sentencing but failed to file a written statement contemporaneously with sentencing. As we stated in State v. White, 693 So.2d 54 (Fla. 4th DCA 1997),

“The Florida Supreme Court has held…