Case Name: STATE of Florida, Appellant, v. Jerry Lee MOORE, Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1997-12-10
Citations: 702 So. 2d 604
Docket Number: No. 97-00896
Parties: STATE of Florida, Appellant, v. Jerry Lee MOORE, Appellee.
Judges: WHATLEY and NORTHCUTT, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 702
Pages: 604–606

Head Matter:
STATE of Florida, Appellant, v. Jerry Lee MOORE, Appellee.
No. 97-00896.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District.
Dec. 10, 1997.
Robert A. Butterworth, Attorney General, Tallahassee, and Patricia E. Davenport, Assistant Attorney General, Tampa, for Appellant.
Donald P. Day of Berry & Day, P.A., Naples, for Appellee.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
The State appeals the downward departure sentence imposed by the trial court upon the revocation of Jerry Moore's probation. We agree with the State's contention that none of the reasons for departure are valid and reverse and remand for resentencing.
Moore was originally convicted of two counts of attempted sexual battery on a child less than twelve years of age. He was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment followed by 15 years' probation. After serving approximately Vk years of the probation, Moore was arrested for DUI and attaching a tag not assigned to a vehicle. An affidavit of violation of probation was filed against Moore, and he entered a conditional plea of no contest. Moore's scoresheet indicated a recommended sentence of 12 to 17 years and a permitted sentence of 9 to 22 years. The trial court imposed a downward departure sentence of 3 years' imprisonment followed by m years' probation based on the following reasons: "Employer reports excellent work history for l]é yrs. The court feels 15 yr. sentence for a DUI violation is excessive under the facts of this case. Defendant's probation record is good."
Moore's probation record and his work history while on probation are invalid reasons for departure because they are not factors that existed at the time Moore was originally placed on probation. Williams v. State, 581 So.2d 144 (Fla.1991). The trial court's feeling that a recommended sentence is excessive is also not a valid reason for departure. Scurry v. State, 489 So.2d 25, 28 (Fla.1986).
Accordingly, we reverse Moore's downward departure sentence. In light of the fact that the sentence was based on a plea agreement with the trial court, Moore must be given the opportunity to withdraw his plea. After that opportunity has been given, upon any resentencing, a guidelines sentence should be imposed. State v. Scott, 611 So.2d 596 (Fla. 2d DCA 1993).
Reversed and remanded for resentencing.
WHATLEY and NORTHCUTT, JJ., concur.
ALTENBERND, A.C.J., dissents.
. While this may appear to be a downward departure of approximately 6 years, it is for practical purposes a downward departure of approximately A'k months, as the trial court gave no credit for time served. Moore had previously served approximately 5 years, 7 ¡4 months on this charge. A 9-year guidelines sentence with credit for time served would have been the practical equivalent of the invalid downward departure sentence of 3 years without credit for time served.