Background
Quincy White, appearing pro se, appealed a judgment from the Circuit Court for Alachua County, presided over by Judge James M. Colaw. The State of Florida was represented by the Attorney General’s office, with Assistant Attorney General David Welch appearing on behalf of the appellee.
The underlying record and specific claims raised by White on appeal are not detailed in the opinion, which was decided by a per curiam affirmance — a summary disposition form used by Florida appellate courts when the panel unanimously concludes that the lower court’s ruling requires no written elaboration.
The Court’s Holding
The First District Court of Appeal affirmed the circuit court’s judgment in a one-word per curiam opinion. Judges Lewis, Bilbrey, and Winokur all concurred in the affirmance.
The decision is not yet final and remains subject to any timely and authorized motion for rehearing or certification under Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.330 or 9.331.
Key Takeaways
- The First DCA issued a per curiam affirmance (PCA), meaning the court found no reversible error warranting written discussion.
- White appeared without counsel, representing himself pro se throughout the appellate proceedings.
- The decision is subject to becoming final only after disposition of any timely post-decision motions under Fla. R. App. P. 9.330 or 9.331.
Why It Matters
Per curiam affirmances of this kind are routine in Florida appellate practice and carry no precedential value. They signal that the panel found the lower court’s ruling clearly correct, though without stating reasons. For practitioners, a PCA also generally forecloses further discretionary review in the Florida Supreme Court absent a certified question or express and direct conflict with another district court decision.
For White, the affirmance leaves the Alachua County circuit court’s judgment intact. As a pro se litigant, any further challenge would require him to identify a cognizable basis for discretionary review or seek relief through other post-conviction avenues if available under Florida law.