Opinion
No. 1D98-3974.
Opinion filed August 30, 2000.
An appeal from the Circuit Court for Jefferson County; Robert F.E. Steinmeyer, Judge.
Augustus Harper, Steven Brian Whittington and Jason Michael Savitz of Robert Augustus Harper Law Firm, P.A., Tallahassee, for Appellant.
Robert A. Butterworth, Attorney General and Terri Leon-Benner, Assistant Attorney General, Tallahassee, for Appellee.
Robert Lee Williams appeals his sentence following his conviction of DUI manslaughter and DUI causing serious bodily injury. Appellant argues that he was subject to an illegal sentence because the trial court utilized the sentencing guidelines enacted by chapter 95-184, Laws of Florida, which has been declared unconstitutional. We remand for further proceedings.
Chapter 95-184 has been held to be unconstitutional as violative of the single subject rule contained in article III, section 6 of the Florida Constitution. See Heggs v. State, 759 So.2d 620 (Fla. 2000). Appellant may challenge his sentence, because the offenses to which he was sentenced were committed within the window period established by Heggs and Trapp v. State, 760 So.2d 924, 25 Fla. Law Weekly S429 (Fla. June 1, 2000).
We remand this case to the trial court for its determination of whether Williams' sentences could have been imposed under the 1994 guidelines, without an upward departure. If so, Williams is not entitled to resentencing. If, however, appellant's sentences constitute a departure sentence under the 1994 guidelines, appellant must be resentenced utilizing the 1994 guidelines. See Smith v. State, 761 So.2d 419, 25 Fla. Law Weekly D1273 (Fla. 2d DCA May 24, 2000).
ALLEN, WOLF AND VAN NORTWICK, JJ., CONCUR.