Criminal Penalties in Florida

Florida classifies crimes as either a Misdemeanor Offense or a Felony Offense.

The potential criminal penalties increase based on the severity of the crime or the frequency that a person is convicted of a specific crime.

Florida Criminal Penalty Chart
Offense Designation Maximum Incarceration Maximum Fine
2nd Degree Misdemeanor 60 days in jail $500
1st Degree Misdemeanor 1 year in jail $1,000
3rd Degree Felony 5 years in prison $5,000
2nd Degree Felony 15 years in prison $10,000
1st Degree Felony 30 years in prison $10,000
Life Felony Life in Prison $15,000
Capital Felony Punishable by Death Not Applicable

Misdemeanor Offenses

Misdemeanor offenses are crimes that are punishable by less than one year in jail. Unless charged with other felony offenses, misdemeanors are handled by a county court judge and are considered less serious crimes than felony offenses. Misdemeanors are categorized as either first degree or second degree misdemeanors.

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 circuit court judges and are punishable by the possibility of more than one-year in prison. Felony offenses are sentenced pursuant to Florida’s criminal punishment code (“CPC”).

Under the CPC, commonly referred to as a scoresheet, each felony is scored a specific amount of points based on upon a statutory severity ranking, which are determined 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.

Contact Criminal Defense Lawyer Richard Hornsby

If you are facing a criminal offense in Central Florida or the greater Orlando area, contact Criminal Defense Lawyer Richard Hornsby today.

The initial consultation is free and I am always available to advise you on the proper course of action that can be taken.