RULE 3.670. RENDITION OF JUDGMENT

(a) If the defendant is found not guilty, a judgment of not
guilty must be rendered in open court and in writing, signed by a
judge, filed, and recorded.

(b) If the defendant is found guilty, a judgment of guilty
must be rendered in open court and in writing, signed by the judge,
filed, and recorded. However, where allowed by law, the judge may
withhold an adjudication of guilt. In the case of a felony, the judge
may withhold an adjudication of guilty only if the judge places the
defendant on probation.

(c) When a judge renders a final judgment of conviction,
withholds adjudication of guilt after a verdict of guilty, imposes a
sentence, grants probation, or revokes probation, the judge must
forthwith inform the defendant concerning the rights of appeal
therefrom, including the time allowed by law for taking an appeal.

(d) Within 15 days after the signed written judgment and
sentence is filed with the clerk of court, the clerk of the court must
serve on counsel for the defendant and counsel for the state a copy
of the judgment of conviction and sentence entered, noting thereon
the date of service by a certificate of service. If it is the practice of
the trial court or the clerk of court to hand deliver copies of the
judgment and sentence at the time of sentencing and copies are in
fact hand delivered at that time, hand delivery must be noted in the
court file, but no further service is required and the certificate of
service need not be included on the hand-delivered copy.

Committee Notes

1968 Adoption. To the same effect as section 921.02, Florida
Statutes, except the portion reading “in writing, signed by the
judge” which was added. Last sentence was added to permit the
judge to operate under section 948.01(3), Florida Statutes.

The Florida law forming the basis of this proposal is found in
article V, sections 4 and 5, Constitution of Florida, concerning the
right of appeal from a judgment of conviction; section 924.06,
Florida Statutes, specifying when a defendant may take an appeal;
section 924.09, Florida Statutes, and Florida Criminal Appellate
Rule 6.2 concerning the time for taking appeals by a defendant in
criminal cases; and section 948.011, Florida Statutes, providing for
a sentence of a fine and probation as to imprisonment.
The purpose of the proposed rule is to provide assurance that
a defendant, represented or unrepresented by counsel, will have
authoritative and timely notice of the right to appeal.

1972 Amendment. Same as prior rule [but some terminology
has been changed].

2005 Amendment. Amended to conform with section
775.08435, Florida Statutes (2004), effective July 1, 2004 (ch.
2004-60, Laws of Fla.).