posted 2017 | A.C. v State (Manatee County)
Client was charged with traveling to meet a minor for illegal sexual activity. He entered an open plea and was sentenced to 21 months in prison, but he wanted to appeal his case. Client hired Mr. Forman who, because his client’s sentence was relatively short, filed a motion to have the client released on an appellate bond until the appeal was completed. The trial court denied the request for bond finding that the issue on appeal was not “fairly debatable” – which is the threshold requirement for this type of bond.
Mr. Forman knew that the trial court wrongly decided the request for bond and convinced the client to appeal this decision. After filing the appeal, which was opposed by the attorney general’s office, the appellate court agreed with Mr. Forman and granted the appeal! A hearing has been set to set the terms of his release. Client and the family are obviously happy with this small, but important step in the right direction.
