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MATTHEWS v. STATE (2022)

District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.2022-08-24No. No. 1D21-1752

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Opinion

A jury found Appellant guilty of three counts of sexual battery with force likely to cause serious personal injury, and the trial court sentenced him to life in prison. As preserved for review by his motion to correct a sentencing error under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.800(b)(2), Appellant challenges the trial courts imposition of a $151 court cost under section 938.10, Florida Statutes. That statute mandates the imposition of such a cost when a defendant commits an offense “against a minor” in violation of certain criminal statutes. § 938.10(1), Fla. Stat.

As the State concedes and the record confirms, the victim in this case was not a minor. Accordingly, the $151 cost is unauthorized. We remand the case to the trial court with instructions to strike the $151 cost under section 938.10. In all other respects, we affirm Appellants convictions and sentences. Because the correction of Appellants written sentencing document is a ministerial act, neither a resentencing nor Appellants presence is required.

Affirmed in part, Reversed in part, and Remanded with instructions.

Per Curiam.

Kelsey, Jay, and M.K. Thomas, JJ., concur.