definition of fundamental error (Florida) · Go Syfert
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definition of fundamental error in Florida

10 Florida opinions name it 2 courts 1993–2019 0 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Florida courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (8)

CaseFollowedCited
Anderson v. Stategreen
fla · 2003 · cited in 2 Florida opinions naming this issue, 2005–2010
2 sentences

2010The Florida Supreme Court has not receded from the long-standing definition of fundamental error as “error that reaches down into the validity of the trial itself to the extent that a verdict of guilty could not have been obtained without the assistance of the alleged error.” Anderson v. State, 841 So.2d 390, 403 (Fla.2003).

2005It is the definition of fundamental error that draws the boundaries of the exception so narrowly: an error is fundamental if it "reaches down into the validity of the trial itself to the extent that a verdict of guilty could not have been obtained without the assistance of the alleged error." Anderson v. State, 841 So.2d 390, 403 (Fla.2003), cert. denied, 540 U.S. 956 , 124 S.Ct. 408 , 157 L.Ed.2d 292 (2003) (citation omitted).

22
State v. Mitrogreen
fla · 1997 · cited in 2 Florida opinions naming this issue, 2000–2000
2 sentences

2000It is certainly reasonable to assume that, rather than attempting to alter the definition of fundamental error as it evolved through case law, the Legislature intentionally deferred to the judicially created definition of "fundamental error." See Bain, 730 So.2d at 301 ; see also State v. Mitro, 700 So.2d 643, 645 (Fla.1997) (stating that where a term is not defined by statute, the courts may resort to the previous case law definition in order to determine the plain meaning of the term).

2000It is certainly reasonable to assume that, rather than attempting to alter the definition of fundamental error as it evolved through case law, the Legislature intentionally deferred to the judicially created definition of “fundamental error.” See Bain, 730 So.2d at 301 ; see also State v. Mitro, 700 So.2d 643, 645 (Fla.1997) (stating that where a term is not defined by statute, the courts may resort to the previous case law definition in order to determine the plain meaning of the term).

22
Smith v. Stategreen
ga · 2013 · cited in 1 Florida opinions naming this issue, 2019–2019
1 sentence

2019Such error permits reversal of a conviction if the error was “obvious,” if it “likely affected the outcome of the proceedings,” and if it “seriously affected the fairness, integrity or public reputation of judicial proceedings.” Smith v. State, 737 S.E.2d 677, 681 (Ga. 2013).

11
Ray v. Stategreen
fla · 1981 · cited in 1 Florida opinions naming this issue, 2015–2015
2 sentences

2015The instant case likewise meets this definition of fundamental error, and represents one of those “rare cases . . . where the interests of justice present a compelling demand for its application.” Ray, 403 So. 2d at 960 . 41 therefore Louidor’s relief, if any, must be found in a motion for postconviction relief under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850.

2015The instant case likewise meets this definition of fundamental error, and represents one of those "rare cases ... where the interests of justice present a compelling demand for its application.” Ray, 403 So.2d at 960.

11
FB v. Stategreen
fla · 2003 · cited in 1 Florida opinions naming this issue, 2005–2005
1 sentence

2005Thus, "rarely will an error be deemed fundamental, and the more general rule requiring a contemporaneous objection to preserve an issue for appellate review will usually apply." F.B. v. State, 852 So.2d 226, 229-30 (Fla.2003).

11
Maddox v. Stategreen
fladistctapp · 1998 · cited in 1 Florida opinions naming this issue, 1998–1998
1 sentence

1998See Maddox, 708 So.2d at 618 .

11
Brown v. Stategreen
fla · 1960 · cited in 1 Florida opinions naming this issue, 1998–1998
1 sentence

1998Repeating the definition of fundamental error from State v. Delva, 575 So.2d 643, 644-645 (Fla.1991) (quoting Brown v. State, 124 So.2d 481, 484 (Fla.1960)), the supreme court found no fundamental error because there is no constitutional requirement that a trial court define reasonable doubt.

11
State v. Delvagreen
fla · 1991 · cited in 1 Florida opinions naming this issue, 1998–1998
1 sentence

1998Repeating the definition of fundamental error from State v. Delva, 575 So.2d 643, 644-645 (Fla.1991) (quoting Brown v. State, 124 So.2d 481, 484 (Fla.1960)), the supreme court found no fundamental error because there is no constitutional requirement that a trial court define reasonable doubt.

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Florida. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (5)

CaseCitedYears
Wright v. State green
fladistctapp · 1977
2 sentences

2016Id.

1993The court concluded: The effect on the verdict of the evidence of the expert here was so obvious and extensive that its admission falls within the definition of fundamental error which this Court may and should review in the interest of justice, regardless of objection at the trial level. 348 So.2d at 31 .

21993–2016
Judge v. State green
fladistctapp · 1992
2 sentences

2000As Judge Altenbernd observed, "In its narrowest functional definition, `fundamental error' describes an error that can be remedied on direct appeal, even though the appellant made no contemporaneous objection in the trial court and, thus, the trial judge had no opportunity to correct the error." Judge v. State, 596 So.2d 73 , 79 n. 3 (Fla. 2d DCA 1991).

2000As Judge Altenbernd observed, “In its narrowest functional definition, ‘fundamental error’ describes an error that can be remedied on direct appeal, even though the appellant made no contemporaneous objection in the trial court and, thus, the trial judge had no opportunity to correct the error.” Judge v. State, 596 So.2d 73 , 79 n. 3 (Fla. 2d DCA 1991).

22000–2000
Bain v. State green
fladistctapp · 1999
2 sentences

2000It is certainly reasonable to assume that, rather than attempting to alter the definition of fundamental error as it evolved through case law, the Legislature intentionally deferred to the judicially created definition of "fundamental error." See Bain, 730 So.2d at 301 ; see also State v. Mitro, 700 So.2d 643, 645 (Fla.1997) (stating that where a term is not defined by statute, the courts may resort to the previous case law definition in order to determine the plain meaning of the term).

2000It is certainly reasonable to assume that, rather than attempting to alter the definition of fundamental error as it evolved through case law, the Legislature intentionally deferred to the judicially created definition of “fundamental error.” See Bain, 730 So.2d at 301 ; see also State v. Mitro, 700 So.2d 643, 645 (Fla.1997) (stating that where a term is not defined by statute, the courts may resort to the previous case law definition in order to determine the plain meaning of the term).

22000–2000
Crawford v. Head, Warden green
scotus · 2003
2 sentences

2005It is the definition of fundamental error that draws the boundaries of the exception so narrowly: an error is fundamental if it "reaches down into the validity of the trial itself to the extent that a verdict of guilty could not have been obtained without the assistance of the alleged error." Anderson v. State, 841 So.2d 390, 403 (Fla.2003), cert. denied, 540 U.S. 956 , 124 S.Ct. 408 , 157 L.Ed.2d 292 (2003) (citation omitted).

2005It is the definition of fundamental error that draws the boundaries of the exception so narrowly: an error is fundamental if it "reaches down into the validity of the trial itself to the extent that a verdict of guilty could not have been obtained without the assistance of the alleged error." Anderson v. State, 841 So.2d 390, 403 (Fla.2003), cert. denied, 540 U.S. 956 , 124 S.Ct. 408 , 157 L.Ed.2d 292 (2003) (citation omitted).

12005–2005
Lynn v. Dretke, Director, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division green
scotus · 2003
1 sentence

2005It is the definition of fundamental error that draws the boundaries of the exception so narrowly: an error is fundamental if it "reaches down into the validity of the trial itself to the extent that a verdict of guilty could not have been obtained without the assistance of the alleged error." Anderson v. State, 841 So.2d 390, 403 (Fla.2003), cert. denied, 540 U.S. 956 , 124 S.Ct. 408 , 157 L.Ed.2d 292 (2003) (citation omitted).

12005–2005

Statutes the citing opinions construe

FL § 924.051 (5)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

FL 10 (1993–2019) ID 7 (1989–2021) TX 4 (1931–1987) IN 2 (1983–2013) AZ 2 (1985–2023) NM 2 (1981–1993)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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