|
Home > Criminal Defense > Florida Criminal Law Guide > Penalties
Penalties
In Florida, crimes are categorized as either misdemeanors or felonies. Misdemeanor offenses are further classified as either second or first-degree misdemeanors while felony offenses are classified as third degree, second degree, first degree, capital, or life offenses.
The following penalty chart and penalty enhancement chart provides a very generic explanation of criminal penalties in Florida. As each case is unique, there are likely additional factors that would affect the possible sentence in a specific person's case
| Penalties |
| Offense Designation |
Maximum Incarceration |
Maximum Fine |
|
1st Degree Felony |
30 years in prison |
$10,000 |
| 2nd Degree Felony |
15 years in prison |
$10,000 |
| 3rd Degree Felony |
5 years in prison |
$5,000 |
| 1st Degree Misdemeanor |
1 year in jail |
$1,000 |
| 2nd Degree Misdemeanor |
60 days in jail |
$500 |
|
| Penalty Enhancements |
| HFO: |
HFO stands for Habitual Felony Offender. If convicted of a HFO offense, the judge may impose a sentence twice the amount allowed by law. |
| PBL: |
PBL stands for Punishable by Life. If convicted of a PBL offense, the judge may sentence you to life in prison. |
| PRR: |
PRR stands for Prison Releasee Reoffender. If convicted of a PRR offense, you will be sentenced to the maximum sentence allowed by law, day for day with no allowance for gain time or good time. |
|
- Misdemeanor Offenses - Misdemeanor offenses are handled by the county court and are usually considered less serious crimes than felony offenses.
- Second Degree Misdemeanor - A second-degree misdemeanor is a crime punishable by no more than sixty days in jail, six months of probation, and a $500 fine.
- First Degree Misdemeanor - A first-degree misdemeanor is a crime punishable by no more than one year in jail, one-year probation, and a $1,000 fine.
- Felony Offenses - Felony offenses are handled by the circuit court and are punishable by the possibility of more than one-year imprisonment. Felony offenses are sentenced pursuant to Florida's criminal punishment code ("CPC"). Under the CPC, also referred to as a scoresheet, each felony is scored a specific amount of points. The points are determined by the level designated by the Florida legislature, regardless of statutory degree. The higher the level a felony is designated, the more points that will appear on your CPC scoresheet. If you score more than 44 points, you are 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.
- 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.
Home > Criminal Defense > Florida Criminal Law Guide > Penalties
|
