Florida has a reputation for being tough on crime. That reputation, in many cases, is warranted.
In addition to laws addressing the charges and consequences associated with individual crimes, Florida has a couple of laws aimed at putting and keeping people behind bars if they’ve been convicted for a serious crime or had multiple convictions. Let’s look at two key laws.
1. The “three strikes” law
Florida has a “habitual felony offender” law — commonly known as a “three strikes” law. Specifically, it states that anyone who has had two felony convictions within five years will get the minimum mandatory sentence for a third conviction.
The law is typically used for violent and other serious felony offenses like murder, manslaughter, arson, kidnapping, sexual battery, aggravated child abuse and armed burglary.
2. The “truth-in-sentencing” law
Another law is called the S.T.O.P (Stop Turning Out Prisoners) Act. It’s sometimes referred to as a “truth-in-sentencing” law. It requires people who have been sentenced to incarceration in a state prison to serve a minimum of 85% of their sentence before they can be eligible for release for good behavior (called “gain time” in Florida).
These laws may or may not cut down on serious crime in our state. They do lessen the discretion that judges, juries and corrections officials have to consider the unique and specific circumstances of each person whose fate they play a role in determining.
That’s one reason why it’s critical that anyone who has been charged with a serious crime gets experienced legal guidance. This can help them reach a plea deal to a lesser charge or mount a solid case in their defense. Either way, it’s best not to try to navigate the justice system alone.