Mr. Rochester was convicted of one count of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child under the age of 12. He asked to be sentenced to less than the 25-year minimum prison sentence in Florida statute. The trial court concluded it did not have the authority to impose a shorter sentence and sentenced him to 25 years. The Fourth District Court of Appeal upheld the sentence and certified conflict with previous case law. This review followed.

Broward County