Background
James Ray Dean, proceeding pro se, appealed from the Circuit Court for Columbia County, where Circuit Judge Garrett Hill presided. The State of Florida was represented on appeal by the Attorney General’s office.
The First District’s opinion does not describe the underlying charges, the trial court’s ruling, the issues Dean raised, or the parties’ arguments.
The Court’s Holding
In a per curiam decision, the Florida First District Court of Appeal affirmed the circuit court’s judgment. Judges Roberts, Nordby, and Neff concurred.
The court provided no reasoning or legal analysis, so the opinion establishes only that the challenged judgment was affirmed. The decision was expressly designated nonfinal until disposition of any timely and authorized motion under Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.330 or 9.331.
Key Takeaways
- The First District affirmed the circuit court’s judgment in full.
- The per curiam opinion contains no factual discussion, reasoning, or explanation of the issues decided.
- The opinion remained nonfinal pending disposition of any timely and authorized post-decision motion under Rules 9.330 or 9.331.
Why It Matters
The decision resolves the appeal by affirmance but offers no written guidance about the governing law or the basis for the result. Its immediate procedural effect remains subject to the opinion’s nonfinality notice concerning authorized post-decision motions.