Lewis v. State

GRIFFIN, Judge.

This is an appeal from a guideline departure sentence. With one exception, the reasons given for departure were based on probation violations and are invalid. Lambert v. State, 545 So.2d 838 (Fla.1989); Ree v. State, 14 F.L.W. 565 (Fla. Nov. 16, 1989). The trial court also based departure on a “continuous and persistent and escalating pattern of criminal conduct” consisting of the commission of sale of cocaine offenses twice in a seven month period. This conduct does not constitute the escalating or persistent pattern of criminal conduct adequate to form a basis for departure.…