Williams v. State
Williams v. State
Opinion of the Court
Johnny Lee Williams appeals the denial of his motion to correct an illegal sentence filed pursuant to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.800(a). Williams was convicted, inter alia, of armed robbery with a weapon,
Section 775.084(4)(b)(l), Florida Statutes (2000), provides that a defendant sentenced as a habitual violent felony offender for a life felony or a felony of the first degree is subject to a life sentence with a minimum mandatory sentence of fifteen years. In denying this claim, the trial court reasoned that the issues could or should have been raised on direct appeal. While that may be true, a sentence that fails to comport with statutory limitations is by definition “illegal” and can be challenged at any time in a rule 3.800(a) proceeding. State v. Mancino, 714 So.2d 429 (Fla. 1998).
Accordingly, we reverse the trial court’s order denying Williams relief on this claim, but affirm the remainder of the order denying relief on the other claims asserted by Williams.
AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART; REMANDED.
. § 812.13(1) & (2)(a), Fla. Stat. (2000).
. First degree felonies are punishable by a term of years not exceeding life or subject to
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.