Case ID: so2d_728/html/0347-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "WHATLEY, Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

STATE of Florida, Appellant, v. George O. ZUMPF, Sr., Appellee.
    No. 98-02507.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District.
    March 17, 1999.
    Robert A. Butterworth, Attorney General, Tallahassee, and Erica M. Raffel, Assistant Attorney General, Tampa, for Appellant.
    Robert O. Bauer, Jr., Clearwater, for Ap-pellee.
   WHATLEY, Judge.

In this appeal of George O. Zumpfs downward departure sentence, the State contends that a preponderance of the evidence does not support the reason given for mitigation. That reason was Zumpfs cooperation with the State. The only support for this reason was statements by defense counsel. This is insufficient because testimony or evidence must be presented. See State v. Licea, 707 So.2d 1155, 1157 (Fla. 2d DCA 1998).

Accordingly, we reverse Zumpfs sentence. Because the sentence was the result of a plea agreement, upon remand Zumpf must be given the opportunity to withdraw his plea and proceed to trial. If he declines that opportunity, the trial court must impose a guidelines sentence.

Reversed and remanded with directions.

FULMER, A.C.J., and NORTHCUTT, J., Concur.