Opinion ID: 1684899
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Failure to Declare a Conflict of Interest

Text: Overton contends that the failure of his counsel to declare a conflict of interest constituted ineffective assistance. This claim is without merit. As a general rule, the right to effective assistance of counsel encompasses the right to representation free from actual conflict. Sliney v. State, 944 So.2d 270, 279 (Fla.2006) (quoting Hunter v. State, 817 So.2d 786, 791 (Fla.2002)). To establish ineffective assistance in this situation, the defendant must demonstrate the existence of an actual conflict and that the conflict had an adverse effect upon his lawyer's representation. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 692, 104 S.Ct. 2052; Cuyler v. Sullivan, 446 U.S. 335, 350, 100 S.Ct. 1708, 64 L.Ed.2d 333 (1980). Once a defendant satisfies both of these elements, prejudice is presumed. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 692, 104 S.Ct. 2052; Cuyler, 446 U.S. at 349-50, 100 S.Ct. 1708. To demonstrate an actual conflict, the defendant must identify specific evidence in the record that suggests that his or her interests were compromised. Sliney, 944 So.2d at 279 (quoting Hunter, 817 So.2d at 792). There is no evidence in the record that Overton's interests were compromised by any type of conflict of interest. Contrary to Overton's arguments, nothing supports the contention that Overton's counsel improperly revealed the Nonoxynol defense theory to the State through any method, including the presentation of a book which supposedly outlined the theory. During the evidentiary hearing, Overton testified that he learned about the Nonoxynol theory while reading the book, which he then presented to his counsel. Conversely, Overton's counsel both testified that they were never given the book by Overton. Instead, they testified that the Nonoxynol theory was first brought to their attention by Dr. Wright. The testimony of Overton's counsel is corroborated by Ellsworth, who testified that neither Smith nor Garcia ever gave him the book. Instead, Ellsworth actually informed defense counsel that the Nonoxynol theory was in the book. The book was part of the State's case file only because the book belonged to Ellsworth. The record does not support Overton's assertion that an actual conflict existed; therefore, there is no need to conduct further analysis. See Wright v. State, 857 So.2d 861, 872 (Fla. 2003) (holding that the defendant failed to demonstrate ineffective assistance due to the alleged conflict of interest because the defendant failed to demonstrate a conflict as nothing was presented to refute the attorney's testimony that his loyalty was to his clients). Accordingly, this ineffective assistance claim fails on the merits.