Florida Mandatory Sentencing

Understanding Penalties with St. Petersburg Criminal Defense Attorneys

Mandatory sentencing laws have severely limited a judge's discretion in imposing a sentence in recent years. This is particularly true in cases involving repeat violent offenders. Judges do not take probation violations or violations of house arrest lightly, particularly since the new Florida Anti-Murder Act went into effect in early 2007. The sentence for a probation violation or violation of house arrest can be very harsh; thus it is extremely important to have the best legal representation possible.

10/20/Life Law for Crimes Involving Firearms

Enacted in July 1999, the "10/20/Life" law requires judges to impose a 10-year prison sentence for any person who is in "actual" possession of a firearm and is convicted of committing--or attempting to commit--a serious felony. Use of a firearm in a murder, sexual battery, robbery, or burglary requires the judge to hand down a 20-year prison sentence. If someone discharges a firearm during the attempt or commission of a serious felony and death results from serious bodily injury, the judge is required to impose a MINIMUM sentence of life imprisonment.

Three (3) Strikes Law - Prior Convictions

The 3 Strikes Law was also enacted in July 1999. It applies to defendants with two (2) prior convictions who are convicted as a violent felony offender for the 3rd time. A defendant is subject to the 3 Strikes Law only if he or she meets the following 5 separate criteria:

• The defendant was convicted of a violent felony twice before. In this case, a withhold of adjudication counts as a conviction.
• Each conviction took place on a separate occasion, including the third offense for which the defendant is presently being sentenced.
• The present offense is a violent felony (such as arson, sexual battery, robbery, kidnapping, or murder).
• The present offense was committed while serving any sentence imposed as a result of being convicted of another violent felony or within 5 years of being convicted of a violent felony, or within 5 years of finishing a sentence imposed for a violent felony.
• The accused has not been pardoned for a prior violent felony conviction or has not had a prior violent felony conviction overturned on appeal or other post-conviction proceeding

Once these 5 criteria are satisfied, a judge is required to impose the minimum mandatory term of imprisonment specified by law as follows:

• Life felony = Life imprisonment
• First-degree felony = 30-year prison term
• Second-degree felony = 15-year prison term
• Third-degree felony = 5-year prison term