FLORIDA SENTENCING

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Tampa Marriott Westshore Hotel,Tampa, Florida

Friday, April 11, 2014

Hon. William H. Burgess, III, B.C.S.Author, FLORIDA SENTENCING (Thomson-Reuters 2014)

Burgess.law.org@hotmail.com

GOALS OF INSTRUCTION:

Identify the main features of Florida state

sentencing law and procedure

Become familiar with common sentencing

terms

Spot important sentencing issues

MATERIALS PROVIDED:

DOC Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet

Preparation Manual

Advanced Sentencing Law Handout

Crossword Puzzle

Copies of Lecture Slides

What does Florida Sentencing Comprise?

Florida Supreme Court Statistics

Main Divisions of Florida Sentencing

Main Purposes of Sentencing

Primary Tools of Sentencing

Primary Statutes:

921.0017-.244 Sentence

775.01-.31 Definitions; General Penalties;

Registration of Criminals

777.04 Attempts, Solicitation, and Conspiracy

948.001-.90 Probation & Community Control

Primary Statutes (Cont.):

958.011-.19 Youthful Offenders

985.345, .35 Juvenile Justice; Adjudication

985.43-.494 Juvenile Justice; Disposition;

Postdisposition

Primary Rules of Procedure:

3.700-.801 Sentence

8.110 Adjudicatory Hearings

8.115 Disposition Hearings

8.120 Post-Disposition Hearing

Sentencing Scheme and Scoresheet ChartPrimary Offense Date

Oct 1, 1993 Dec 31, 1993

Jan 1, 1994 May 24, 1997

May 25, 1997 Sep 30, 1998

Oct 1, 1998 -present

Sentencing Scheme

Florida Sentencing Guidelines

1994 Guidelines 1995 Guidelines Criminal Punishment Code

Forms Used Rule 9.988 (j) Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet

(Untitled Continuation Sheet)

Rule 3.990(a) Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet

Rule 3.990(b) Supplemental Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet

Rule 3.991(a) Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet

Rule 3.991(b) Supplemental Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet

Rule 3.992(a) Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet

Rule 3.992(b) Criminal Punishment Code Supplemental Scoresheet

Florida Statutes s. 921.001 ss. 921.0001-.0016 ss. 921.0001-.0016 ss. 921.002-.0027

Rules Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.701 and 3.988

Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.702 and 3.990

Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.703 and 3.991

Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.704 and 3.992

DOC Reference Manual

Forms 3.988(a)-(i) (Worksheets 1-9)

Florida Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet Preparation Manual (Jan 1, 1994)

Florida Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet Preparation Manual (Jan 1, 1995)

Florida Criminal Punishment Code ScoresheetPreparation Manual (Sep 2010)

Summary of Punishments Authorized by Sec. 775.084, F.S.

3rd Degree Felonies

2nd Degree Felonies

1st Degree Felonies

Life Felonies

Habitual Felony Offenders

Up to 10 years Up to 30 years Life imprisonment Life imprisonment

Habitual Violent Felony Offenders

Up to 10 years; not eligible for release for 5 years

Up to 30 years; not eligible for release for 10 years

Life imprisonment; not eligible for release for 15 years

Life imprisonment; not eligible for release for 15 years

Three-Time Violent Offenders

Mandatory Minimum of 5 years

Mandatory minimum of 15 years

Mandatory minimum of 30 years

Mandatory minimum of life imprisonment

Violent Career Criminals

Up to 15 years, with a mandatory minimum of 10 years

Up to 40 years, with a mandatory minimum of 30 years

Life imprisonment; no discretionary early release

Life imprisonment; no discretionary early release

Approach to Examination Preparation:

Read all recent Florida and U.S. Supreme

Court decisions

Know and understand the differences between

federal and state rules of criminal procedure

and evidence

Approach to Sentencing:

Know All the Relevant Facts

Know the Relevant Law

Have the Appropriate Documentation

Have a Realistic Strategy

Current Issues in Florida Sentencing:

Resentencing of juveniles sentenced as adults

Nonstatutory downward departure

Conflicts among the DCAs

Proposed Legislation Relating to Sentencing:

CS/HB 39, SB 94 Jury of 12 for life felonies CS/HB 73 Possession of obscene material by

conditional releasees, probationers, community controlees

SB 78 Juvenile Sentencing Review Act HB 103, SB 112 Departure from F/A min man SB 334, HB 467 Unanimous jury

recommendation for death penalty SB 384 Juvenile Sentencing SB 432 Downward departure from min man SB 896, HB 4011 Deletion of death penalty for

capital offenses

Crossword Puzzle Solution: