WHAT IS SENTENCING IN FELONY CASES
Felony Crimes
Felony crimes are handled in the Circuit Court and are punishable by the more than one-year in prison. Felony crimes are sentence according to Florida's guidelines.
Under the guidelines each felony is assigned a specific amount of points based on its severity.
The higher the level of felony the more points that will assigned on the guideline scoresheet. If a defendant scores more than 44 points he or she is subject to a minimum term of imprisonment. If you score less than 44 points, a judge is not required to sentence you to prison, but may still do so.
In addition to the Offense Level points, the guidelines add additional points when considering the following issues:
- Victim Injury
- Legal Status Violations
- Community Sanction Violations
- Firearm / Semi-Automatic Weapons
- Prior Serious Felonies
- Enhancement Multipliers
Third Degree Felony
A third-degree felony is punishable by up to five years in prison, five years' probation, and a $5,000 fine.
Second Degree Felony
A second-degree felony is punishable by up to fifteen years in prison, fifteen years' probation, and a $10,000 fine.
First Degree Felony
A first-degree felony is punishable by up to thirty years in prison, thirty years' probation, and a $10,000 fine.
Life Felony
A life felony is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole, or probation for the remainder of your life, and a $15,000 fine.
Capital Felony
A capital felony is punishable by death or life in prison without the possibility of parole.