Thursday, October 7, 1998
Jerry Griffis vs State of Florida

No. 92,160

Place of Origin
Alachua County

Facts
Griffis fled authorities during his 1990 trial for child molestation. After trial in absentia, he was convicted and sentenced to a lengthy term. He was captured and returned to custody in 1996, and the trial court adjudicated him guilty. Griffis appealed, and the state moved to dismiss, citing a 1991 Florida Supreme Court case holding that the right to appeal can be waived by fleeing. The First District disagreed, citing a 1993 case by the U.S. Supreme Court that suggested a contrary conclusion. However, the First District certified a question asking the Florida Supreme Court which case should control.