State v. Thailas
State v. Thailas
Opinion of the Court
AFFIRMED.
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting.
Defendant was charged with three counts of possession with intent to sell cocaine and with three counts of possession of cocaine. The trial court granted defendant’s motion to dismiss the simple possession counts, either on the theory that they subjected the defendant to double jeopardy, or, that they were superfluous.
I suggest that the concern for double jeopardy is premature. Clearly the three possession counts were lesser included offenses of the counts charging possession with intent to sell. Thus, only one conviction and sentence would be appropriate in each instance. Mahaun v. State, 377 So.2d 1158 (Fla. 1979). However, merely charging a greater and lesser offense in the same information is not violative of the Double Jeopardy Clause. Mahaun v. State, supra. Furthermore, I am aware of no authority which precludes the State from setting forth in an information all of the charges, including lesser included offenses, to which a defendant must respond. Specification of charges is an exclusive function of the executive branch of government. Absent an allegation that the defendant has been misled or embarrassed in the preparation of his defense
. See Rule 3.140(o), Fla.R.Crim.P.
. See Rule 3.190(b); Fla.R.Crim.P.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.