Case Name: Michael GARDNER, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 2000-02-16
Citations: 766 So. 2d 281
Docket Number: Nos. 4D99-1360, 4D99-3491
Parties: Michael GARDNER, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
Judges: FARMER, STEVENSON and HAZOURI, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 766
Pages: 281–282

Head Matter:
Michael GARDNER, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
Nos. 4D99-1360, 4D99-3491.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District.
Feb. 16, 2000.
Richard L. Jorandby, Public Defender, and Maxine Williams, Assistant Public Defender, West Palm Beach, for appellant.
Robert A. Butterworth, Attorney General, Tallahassee, and Carol Cobourn As-bury, Assistant Attorney General, West Palm Beach, for appellee.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Appellant, Michael Gardner, appeals from the denial of his motion to correct his sentence under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.800(b). Gardner was sentenced as a youthful offender to four years in the Department of Corrections followed by two years community control. His guidelines scoresheet range was 13.8 months to 23 months. We reverse and remand to the trial court for resentencing.
Under the Youthful Offender Act, section 958.04(3), Florida Statutes (1997), the defendant must be sentenced within the sentencing guidelines unless the trial court judge provides written reasons which reasonably justify departure. See Kepner v. State, 577 So.2d 576 (Fla.1991). Furthermore when the trial court judge does not know that he is imposing a departure sentence which requires written reasons, the case may be remanded for the trial court judge to consider whether departure is appropriate and, if it is so found, set forth valid written reasons for departure. See State v. Betancourt, 552 So.2d 1107 (Fla.1989).
As the record in this case shows that Gardner was sentenced outside the guidelines and written reasons were not provided, this case is remanded for resen-tencing. As the sentencing judge did not know he was imposing a departure sentence, on remand the trial judge may consider whether departing from the sentencing guidelines is appropriate and, if so, set forth valid written reasons for departure. The state concedes that remand is necessary.
REVERSE AND REMAND FOR RE-SENTENCING.
FARMER, STEVENSON and HAZOURI, JJ., concur.