Jones v. State
Jones appealed a 24-year sentence imposed after he failed to appear for sentencing under a Quarterman agreement that had promised a 5-year sentence. The Fifth District affirmed, holding that his appellate argument that the failure to appear was not willful was unpreserved because trial counsel argued only for leniency and never specifically contended the Quarterman agreement remained binding absent a willfulness finding.
Key facts
- Jones pleaded guilty under a Quarterman agreement that promised a 5-year sentence but failed to appear for the scheduled sentencing hearing.
- The trial court imposed a 24-year sentence after finding Jones's failure to appear violated the Quarterman agreement.
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Why it matters
This opinion reinforces and extends Cruz v. State's preservation rule in the Quarterman-agreement context: defense counsel cannot argue purely for sentencing leniency and later claim on appeal that the trial court… — full analysis with a trial
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