Rampersad v. State
Rampersad v. State
Opinion of the Court
Mukesh Rampersad seeks to reverse his conviction for burglary and to be discharged. We reverse, and order Ramper-sad to be immediately released.
Rampersad, his ex-wife, and their children were out shopping for a new car for the ex-wife in a car rented several days earlier by Rampersad. The record indicates that they argued, and at some point in the argument, Rampersad, who was driving, pulled over to make a pay phone call and exited the vehicle; the ex-wife moved over into the driver’s seat and closed the door. Rampersad reached in through the window and struck his ex-wife, who suffered a bruised and lacerated cheek. Rampersad was charged with burglary of a conveyance, and with felony battery. Rampersad pleaded not guilty, went to jury trial, and was convicted of burglary with battery, and with simple battery. He was sentenced to five years in state prison on the burglary, and received a suspended sentence on the simple battery.
Pursuant to Delgado v. State, 25 Fla. L. Weekly S79, — So.2d -, 2000 WL 124382 (Fla. 2000), we find that Ramper-sad committed no burglary. Rampersad was at the very least a licensee or invitee
Reversed in part, affirmed in part, and remanded.
. Section 810.02(1), Florida Statutes (1997):
"Burglary” means entering or remaining in a dwelling, a structure, or a conveyance*95 with the intent to commit an offense therein, unless the premises are at the time open to the public or the defendant is licensed or invited to enter or remain.”
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.