Yes, the above-referenced charge under Florida’s “10-20-Life” Statute carries a ten (10) year minimum mandatory on a robbery with a firearm charge. This is incredibly frustrating for Tampa criminal attorneys obviously because all charges are different and minimum mandatories, like the ones provided for in “10-20-Life” treat all cases identically. These cases involve significant experience and aggressive representation because of the lengthy prison sentences associated with them.
As we have discussed elsewhere on our Tampa criminal attorney blog, minimum mandatory sentences are significant because they eliminate good/gain time for inmates. Thus, ten (10) years literally means ten (10) years in a Florida prison. This is incredibly frustrating and difficult to comprehend for folks used to receiving reduced sentences based on good/gain time. The minimum mandatory on robbery with a firearm is one of the more severe charges in the criminal justice system.
It is also worth noting that minimum mandatories, the minimum mandatory on robbery with a firearm, can only be waived by the State Attorney’s Office, so it doesn’t even matter whether the Judge favors waiving it. Legally, the sentencing Judge cannot sentence someone below a minimum mandatory on robbery with a firearm because the State Attorney’s Office can appeal the sentence to a Florida district court of appeal and the sentence will almost certainly be overturned and reversed. It is critical that your Tampa criminal attorney work with the State Attorney’s Office to attempt to get their office to waive the minimum mandatory sentence to assist in avoid such a long, lengthy prison sentence. It is worth noting the penalties and sentences increase, if the firearm was used and/or a death occurred as a result of the firearm.
If you or someone you know has questions concerning minimum mandatory on robbery with a firearm case, contact the Tampa criminal attorneys of Hackworth Law for a free case consultation. We have handled thousands of criminal cases across the Tampa Bay area, including many cases involving allegations regarding firearms and minimum mandatory sentences. If you would like to contact one of our Tampa criminal attorneys immediately, please use the “contact us now” tab immediately. We appreciate you taking the time to check out our Tampa criminal attorney blog regarding the minimum mandatory on robbery with a firearm and look forward to hearing from you.