Florida District Courts of Appeal, 1998

Cowan v. State

Cowan v. State
Florida District Courts of Appeal · Decided November 6, 1998 · Campbell, Parker, Quince
725 So. 2d 1153; 1998 Fla. App. LEXIS 14060; 1998 WL 770630 (Southern Reporter, Second Series)

Cowan v. State

Opinion of the Court

PER CURIAM.

Lawrence E. Cowan’s attorney filed an appeal of Cowan’s sentencing on remand pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), asserting that there is no arguable merit to the challenge of Cowan’s sentence. We agree and affirm the habitual offender sentence in this possession and delivery of cocaine case.

Additionally, Cowan filed a pro se brief in which he raised several issues that are procedurally barred because they could have been ruled upon in the original appeal. See Williams v. State, 686 So.2d 615, 616 (Fla. 2d DCA 1996), review denied, 694 So.2d 739 (Fla. 1997). As to Cowan’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, that claim is not a cognizable issue on direct appeal. See Lawrence v. State, 691 So.2d 1068, 1074 (Fla.), cert. denied, — U.S. —, 118 S.Ct. 205, 139 L.Ed.2d 141 (1997). However, Co-wan may raise this issue pursuant to a rule 3.850 motion, if he does so within two years of his judgment and sentence. See Fla. R.Crim. P. 3.850(b).

PARKER, C.J., and CAMPBELL and QUINCE, JJ., concur.

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