Background
Christopher Lee Compton filed an amended petition for a belated appeal in the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal. The proceeding was an original-jurisdiction matter arising from his criminal case in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida.
Compton sought to appeal the judgment and sentence rendered on June 15, 2026, in trial-court Case No. 42-2022-CF-004793-A. The public defender’s office represented Compton; the State made no appearance.
The Court’s Holding
The Fifth District granted Compton’s amended petition for a belated appeal. The court did not provide additional factual findings or reasoning in its brief per curiam opinion.
Under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.141(c)(6)(D), the court directed that a copy of its opinion be filed with the trial court and treated as the notice of appeal from the June 15, 2026 judgment and sentence.
Key Takeaways
- Compton may pursue a belated appeal from his criminal judgment and sentence.
- The appellate opinion itself will serve as the notice of appeal once filed with the trial court.
- The ruling grants appellate review but does not decide the merits of Compton’s appeal.
Why It Matters
The decision restores Compton’s opportunity to obtain appellate review despite the absence of a timely conventional notice of appeal. It also illustrates the procedural remedy available under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.141(c) for securing a belated criminal appeal.