Case Name: Gerald BENTON, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1999-02-15
Citations: 729 So. 2d 411
Docket Number: No. 97-1415
Parties: Gerald BENTON, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
Judges: JOANOS, MINER and DAVIS, JJ., CONCUR.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 729
Pages: 411–411

Head Matter:
Gerald BENTON, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
No. 97-1415
District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.
Feb. 15, 1999.
Gerald Benton, pro se.
Robert A. Butterworth, Attorney General; Randy L. Havlicak, Assistant Attorney General, Tallahassee, for Appellee.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Gerald Benton has filed a direct appeal from his conviction pursuant to a plea of nolo contendere. He alleges his counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate his claim that he should have been permitted to withdraw his plea because he had been confused by the effects of psychotropic medications. Generally, such claims must be raised in collateral proceedings, and are not cognizable on direct appeal. See Wuornos v. State, 676 So.2d 966, 972 (Fla.1995); Loren v. State, 601 So.2d 271, 272 (Fla. 1st DCA 1992). Unlike Cody v. State, 678 So.2d 9, 10 (Fla. 1st DCA 1996), the question of trial counsel's effectiveness was not raised below. We find no merit to appellant's remaining argument.
Accordingly, the judgment of conviction and sentences are affirmed.
JOANOS, MINER and DAVIS, JJ., CONCUR.