And it is well settled that sentencing is also a critical stage of the proceedings. Alexander v. State, 224 So.3d 804, 806 (Fla. 2d DCA 2017) (citing Beard v. State, 751 So.2d 61, 62 (Fla. 2d DCA 1999), for the statement that "[s]entencing is a critical stage of a criminal proceeding, and a trial court must renew the offer of counsel even if the defendant has previously waived counsel"). "While a defendant may waive his right to counsel at any stage of the proceedings, the waiver is only valid at that stage and the court must renew the offer of counsel at each crucial stage as long as the defendant is unrepresented."
Sentencing is a critical stage of the proceedings, and a trial court must renew the offer of counsel at the sentencing stage even if the defendant has previously waived counsel at other stages. Alexander v. State, 224 So.3d 804, 806 (Fla. 2d DCA 2017) ; Beard v. State, 751 So.2d 61, 62 (Fla. 2d DCA 1999) ; Travis v. State, 969 So.2d 532, 533 (Fla. 1st DCA 2007). Thus, the trial court's failure to renew the offer of assistance of counsel prior to proceeding with sentencing in this case was error.
"Failure to renew the offer of counsel at a critical stage and conduct a Faretta inquiry if the defendant rejects the renewed offer is per se reversible error." Alexander v. State, 224 So.3d 804, 806 (Fla. 2d DCA 2017) (emphasis omitted) (quoting Brooks v. State, 180 So.3d 1094, 1096 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015) ); Howard v. State, 147 So.3d 1040, 1043 (Fla. 1st DCA 2014) (stating the same principle). Thus, Johnson is entitled to a new trial.