Opinion ID: 1740628
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 21

Heading: Diminishment of Jury's Role in Sentencing

Text: Chavez argues that the prosecutor improperly diminished the jury's role in making a sentencing recommendation during both voir dire [41] and the penalty phase [42] of the trial. However, during voir dire, when a juror suggested that the advisory recommendation [took] a burden off him, the trial court immediately, and properly, informed the jury that it would give great weight to any advisory sentence recommended. [43] On this record, viewing the totality of the circumstances (including the trial court's curative instruction), the jury's role in sentencing was not impermissibly diminished. It was told that its recommendation would be advisory, and given great weight. This correctly states the law in Florida. See generally Grossman v. State, 525 So.2d 833, 839-40 (Fla.1988).