Background
Patricia Johnson appealed from a ruling of the Circuit Court for Polk County in lower-tribunal case number 2021-CF-003136. Circuit Judge Brandon J. Rafool entered the ruling under review.
The appeal proceeded under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.141(b)(2). The appellate court’s brief disposition does not identify Johnson’s claims, describe the circuit court’s ruling, or set out the underlying facts.
The Court’s Holding
The Florida Sixth District Court of Appeal affirmed the circuit court’s ruling. The decision was issued per curiam, with Judges Stargel, Kamoutsas, and Pratt concurring.
The court supplied no reasoning or discussion of the issues. Accordingly, the opinion establishes only that the lower court’s ruling was left in place; it does not disclose the panel’s rationale or announce a stated rule of law.
Key Takeaways
- The Sixth District affirmed the Polk County Circuit Court’s ruling.
- The court issued a per curiam affirmance without a written explanation.
- The disposition does not identify the claims presented or provide substantive guidance for future cases.
Why It Matters
The decision ends this stage of Johnson’s appellate proceeding unless further authorized review or a timely rehearing procedure is pursued. For practitioners, its usefulness is limited because the court did not explain why the circuit court’s ruling was correct.
The opinion also states that it is not final until the rehearing period expires and any timely rehearing motion is resolved.