Gentry v. State
Gentry v. State
Opinion of the Court
This is an appeal from an order of restitution. Appellant was convicted in Circuit Court Case No. 88-645 of burglary and grand theft involving the Corner Lounge owned by Bay Liquors, Inc.
When asked how much a juke box cost, the employee replied, “The last, approximately $3,000, $2,995 was what I was quoted at.” As was held in Abbott v. State, 543 So.2d 411 (Fla. 1st DCA 1989),
[t]he amount of restitution for stolen property as a condition of probation under section 775.089 should be based on the fair market value of the property at the time of the theft_ [citation omitted] Fair market value “may be adduced through direct testimony as to the fair market value ... at the time of the theft, or through evidence on (1) original market cost, (2) the manner in which [the items] were used, (3) their general condition and quality, and (4) the percentage of depreciation.” [citiation omitted]
Id. at 412. In the instant case, the primary evidence presented as to the value of the juke box was the cost of replacement. That testimony was insufficient to establish fair market value. Consequently, we conclude that the record does not contain competent substantial evidence to support the trial court’s assessment of restitution.
We therefore REVERSE and REMAND for further proceedings to determine the fair market value of the juke box.
. The "Order of Modification” filed by the trial court correcting the initial order of restitution
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.