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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

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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

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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 Chart

Primary Offense Date Sentencing Scheme Forms Used
Oct 1, 1993 Dec 31, 1993 Florida Sentencing Guidelines Rule 9.988 (j) Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet (Untitled Continuation Sheet) Jan 1, 1994 May 24, 1997 1994 Guidelines May 25, 1997 Sep 30, 1998 1995 Guidelines Oct 1, 1998 present Criminal Punishment Code Rule 3.992(a) Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet Rule 3.992(b) Criminal Punishment Code Supplemental Scoresheet

Rule 3.990(a) Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet Rule 3.990(b) Supplemental Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet ss. 921.0001-.0016 Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.702 and 3.990 Florida Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet Preparation Manual (Jan 1, 1994)

Rule 3.991(a) Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet Rule 3.991(b) Supplemental Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet ss. 921.0001-.0016 Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.703 and 3.991 Florida Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet Preparation Manual (Jan 1, 1995)

Florida Statutes Rules DOC Reference Manual

s. 921.001 Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.701 and 3.988 Forms 3.988(a)-(i) (Worksheets 1-9)

ss. 921.002-.0027 Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.704 and 3.992 Florida Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet Preparation Manual (Sep 2010)

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

3rd Degree Felonies Habitual Felony Offenders Habitual Violent Felony Offenders Three-Time Violent Offenders Violent Career Criminals
Up to 10 years

2nd Degree Felonies

Up to 30 years

1st Degree Felonies

Life imprisonment

Life Felonies

Life imprisonment

Up to 10 years; not eligible for release for 5 years Mandatory Minimum of 5 years Up to 15 years, with a mandatory minimum of 10 years

Up to 30 years; not eligible for release for 10 years Mandatory minimum of 15 years Up to 40 years, with a mandatory minimum of 30 years

Life imprisonment; not eligible for release for 15 years Mandatory minimum of 30 years Life imprisonment; no discretionary early release

Life imprisonment; not eligible for release for 15 years Mandatory minimum of life imprisonment 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

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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:

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Crossword Puzzle Solution: