Case Name: Leroy PEARSON, Appellant, v. The STATE of Florida, Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 2010-04-16
Citations: 34 So. 3d 118
Docket Number: No. 3D10-901
Parties: Leroy PEARSON, Appellant, v. The STATE of Florida, Appellee.
Judges: Before CORTINAS, ROTHENBERG, and SALTER, JJ.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Third Series
Volume: 34
Pages: 118–118

Head Matter:
Leroy PEARSON, Appellant, v. The STATE of Florida, Appellee.
No. 3D10-901.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District.
April 16, 2010.
Carlos J. Martinez, Public Defender, and Amy Weber, Assistant Public Defender, for appellant.
Bill McCollum, Attorney General, and Forrest L. Andrews, Jr., Assistant Attorney General, for appellee.
Before CORTINAS, ROTHENBERG, and SALTER, JJ.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
On this record, the defendant was in direct criminal contempt of the trial court because of his refusal to obey a clear, unambiguous directive in open court. We therefore affirm the trial judge's order. Based on the circumstances of this case, including that the intended purpose of the contempt was achieved, the defendant was ultimately acquitted of the charges after serving substantial time in jail prior to trial, and he has now served over one month incarceration post-trial on the contempt charge, we are of the opinion that the defendant's immediate release with credit for time served is appropriate. We trust that the trial court will immediately mitigate the sentence accordingly.
This opinion shall take effect immediately notwithstanding the filing of any motion for rehearing.
Affirmed.