To prove ineffective assistance of counsel, "a defendant must show that (1) counsel's performance was so deficient that he or she did not provide the representation guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment, and that (2) counsel's deficient performance prejudiced the defense." Mason v. State, 153 So.3d 335, 336 (Fla. 1st DCA 2014). Showing deficient performance or prejudice often requires similar arguments to those that would be made on direct appeal; for example, to show that counsel had been ineffective for failing to object to the admission of evidence, a defendant would have to prove that the evidence was inadmissible. The crucial distinction is that in an ineffective-assistance claim, the defendant is challenging his counsel's action or inaction rather than a decision of the trial court.

To prove ineffective assistance of counsel, "a defendant must show that (1) counsel's performance was so deficient that he or she did not provide the representation guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment, and that (2) counsel's deficient performance prejudiced the defense." Mason v. State , 153 So. 3d 335, 336 (Fla. 1st DCA 2014). Showing deficient performance or prejudice often requires similar arguments to those that would be made on direct appeal; for example, to show that counsel had been ineffective for failing to object to the admission of evidence, a defendant would have to prove that the evidence was inadmissible. The crucial distinction is that in an ineffective-assistance claim, the defendant is challenging his counsel's action or inaction rather than a decision of the trial court.