Opinion ID: 1863013
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Claim VII. Venue

Text: Johnson claims that the circuit court erred in ruling that venue was appropriate in Polk County for hearing Johnson's rule 3.850 motion. Rule 3.850 requires the initial filing of a motion under this rule in the court that entered judgment. However, the rule does not state that venue must remain in that court. In deciding whether a change of venue is proper a court considers whether the general state of mind of the residents is so infected by knowledge of the case and accompanying prejudice that jurors could not possibly put that information out of their minds and try the case solely on the evidence presented. See McCaskill v. State, 344 So.2d 1276 (Fla. 1977). These same concerns are not raised on a rule 3.850 motion, in which there is no jury. Johnson cites no support for his argument and has not shown how the choice of venue prejudiced him. Thus, this claim has no merit.