Tampa criminal lawyers are often asked about the maximum sentences under the varying levels of felonies in Florida. Florida defines felonies as those crimes that have a maximum sentence of over one (1) year in prison, while misdemeanors have a maximum sentence of under one (1) year in county jail. Florida Statute Section 775.082 provides the specific classifications for each felony. Florida has five (5) levels of different felonies.
Third Degree Felonies have a maximum of five (5) years in a Florida State Prison and a maximum fine of $5,000.00.
Second Degree Felonies have a maximum of fifteen (15) years in a Florida State Prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.00.
First Degree Felonies have a maximum sentence of twenty-five (25) years in a Florida State Prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.00.
Life Felonies have a maximum sentence of life in a Florida State Prison and a maximum fine of $15,000.00.
Capital Felonies can result in life imprisonment or the death penalty. This charge is restricted to murder cases in Florida. Obviously, these charges are somewhat rare in Florida.
As I have told countless folks charged with any level of felony in Florida, we should be more concerned about the bottom score or the baseline score, as opposed to the maximum since the majority of folks aren’t sentenced to the maximum. Additionally, the overwhelming majority of folks are sentenced closer to the base guideline number than the maximum. Elsewhere in our Tampa criminal lawyer’s blog, we specifically discuss Sentencing Issues including, but not limited to Florida scoresheets and how to interpret them.
If you or someone you know has questions about felonies in Florida, contact the Tampa criminal lawyers of Hackworth Law for a free case consultation. We have handled all levels of felonies and offer free case consultations. Thanks for your time in checking out our Tampa criminal lawyer blog.