Case Name: Timothy VISAGE, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1995-12-11
Citations: 664 So. 2d 1101
Docket Number: No. 94-660
Parties: Timothy VISAGE, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
Judges: ERVIN and MINER, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 664
Pages: 1101–1105

Head Matter:
Timothy VISAGE, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
No. 94-660.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.
Dec. 11, 1995.
Nancy A. Daniels, Public Defender; Phil Patterson, Assistant Public Defender, Tallahassee, for Appellant.
Robert A. Butterworth, Attorney General; William J. Bakstran, Assistant Attorney General, Tallahassee, for Appellee.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Appellant was convicted on two counts of burglary of a dwelling following a jury trial. On appeal, he argues that the trial court abused its discretion in denying his request for self-representation. Although we affirm the convictions, we must reverse the restitution that was ordered without notice to the appellant.
Prior to trial, the appellant sought leave to represent himself. At a hearing on the matter, the trial judge inquired as to appellant's education and legal experience, ultimately finding that appellant lacked sufficient knowledge and training to permit self-representation. Appellant proceeded with counsel, and he was convicted as charged in the information.
On appeal, it is argued that there was no record support for the trial court's findings, and, even if the record established inadequate legal experience, this could not by itself justify denying appellant the right to self-representation.
The trial court's decision as to self-representation is reviewable for abuse of discretion. Crystal v. State, 616 So.2d 150, 152 (Fla. 1st DCA 1993); Kearse v. State, 605 So.2d 534 (Fla. 1st DCA 1992), rev. denied, 613 So.2d 5 (Fla.1993). Thus, we will not overturn the trial court so long as reasonable persons could differ as to the propriety of the ruling. See Canakaris v. Canakaris, 382 So.2d 1197 (Fla.1980).
By this standard, we cannot conclude that the trial court abused its discretion. The record is equivocal concerning appellant's lack of legal experience. Although the appellant indicated that he could do rudimentary legal research and that he had previously been convicted of at least nine felonies, he conceded that he did not know how to file a motion and that his previous convictions all resulted from guilty pleas. In addition, the record contains motions prepared by the appellant which Judge Brooke could consider in assessing appellant's ability.
Appellant's further contention relies upon this court's holding that it constitutes an abuse of discretion to deny a defendant the right to self-representation solely because the defendant lacks adequate legal training. See Kearse, 605 So.2d at 538 ("[A] person need not be schooled in the law in order to competently elect to represent himself."); Crystal, 616 So.2d at 153 (quoting Kearse). However, the record before us indicates that the appellant was handicapped by more than merely a lack of legal experience. A suggestion of mental incompetency was filed in this case, and Judge Brooke had a psychiatric report prepared. As a result, Judge Brooke was aware that the appellant had a psychiatric history that included a suicide attempt and hospitalization. More importantly, the appellant had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder for which he was presently taking anti-depressant, tranquilizing and anti-manic medications. Although the report concluded that appellant's cognitive faculties were intact, and he was adjudged mentally competent to stand trial, this in no way mandated a finding that he was capable of making what Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.111(d)(3) describes as "an intelligent and understanding choice" to proceed without counsel. See Reilly v. State, Dept, of Correct, 847 F.Supp. 951, 960 (M.D.Fla.1994); Muhammad v. State, 494 So.2d 969, 975 (Fla. 1986), cert, denied, 479 U.S. 1101, 107 S.Ct. 1332, 94 L.Ed.2d 183 (1987); Cerkella v. State, 588 So.2d 1058 (Fla. 3d DCA 1991). A defendant may be deemed mentally competent to stand trial, yet still be prohibited from waiving the assistance of counsel where, due to a mental condition, the lack of education or experience, or some other factor, he appears unable to make an intelligent and understanding choice to proceed without counsel. See Fla.R.Crim.P. 3.111(d)(3). Because reasonable minds could differ as to whether the appellant was able to make an intelligent choice given his mental condition and lack of legal experience, we cannot find an abuse of discretion. Consequently, we affirm the challenged convictions. Because there appears to be some confusion on the relationship between mental competence to stand trial and the capacity to waive counsel, we certify the following question as one of great public importance:
MAY A DEFENDANT BE MENTALLY COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL YET STILL LACK THE ABILITY TO MAKE AN INTELLIGENT AND UNDERSTANDING CHOICE TO PROCEED WITHOUT COUNSEL UNDER FLORIDA RULE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 3.111(d)(3)?
We also affirm appellant's sentences, except for the orders imposing restitution. The state correctly concedes that restitution should not have been imposed without giving the appellant notice and an opportunity to be heard. See Palag v. State, 622 So.2d 1151 (Fla. 1st DCA 1993); Hamrick v. State, 648 So.2d 274 (Fla. 4th DCA 1995). Accordingly, we reverse the restitution orders and remand with directions to conduct a hearing on the amount of restitution appellant will be required to pay.
AFFIRMED in part, REVERSED in part and REMANDED with directions.
ERVIN and MINER, JJ., concur.
BENTON, J., dissents with written opinion.
. We reject appellant's assertion that the trial court exclusively relied upon the lack of legal training without mentioning appellant's mental condition. Although much of the discussion concerned appellant's lack of training, Judge Brooke also noted that the psychiatric report had been received and that he was aware of its findings.