Understanding Minimum Sentences For Felonies Involving Firearms Under Florida’s 10-20-Life Law
In the state of Florida, you can end up serving significant prison time if you are convicted of certain types of felonies and those felonies involved a firearm. This is because of Florida’s “10-20-Life” law that creates minimum prison sentence requirements for these types of offenses.
Depending on the type of offense you were accused of and how the firearm was used, you could end up serving a minimum prison term of 10 years, 20 years or 25 years to life in prison upon a conviction. Because of how severe the 10-20-Life law is, it is essential that you guard yourself with top-notch legal defense when you are at risk of being sentenced under this law.
At Leskovich Law Group, P.A., our Punta Gorda criminal defense attorneys can sit down with you and explain how this law might affect you in your particular situation. We can thoroughly investigate the facts behind your case and begin building a competitive defense plan on your behalf. It might be possible to show that your offense does not qualify for the enhanced sentencing requirements, or even that there is no basis for the any of the allegations that have been made against you.
Minimum Prison Sentences
The 10-20-Life law applies for certain types of felony offenses that are specifically defined under the 2013 Florida Statutes §775.087 2(a)1. These are some of the most serious felonies, such as murder, sexual battery, aggravated assault, kidnapping, certain types of drug trafficking, etc.
When a person is convicted of a felony that is specified under this law, he or she can be subject to the following minimum prison terms:
- Minimum of 10 years-when the offender of the felony possessed a firearm or destructive device (though, though this can be 3 years in some situations)
- Minimum of 20 years-when the offender of the felony discharged a firearm
- Minimum of 25 years to life-when the offender of the felony discharged a firearm or destructive device and subsequently caused someone great bodily harm or death
Strong Criminal Defense From A Punta Gorda Criminal Lawyer
There are many people who receive penalties that are far too harsh simply because of technicalities related to the 10-20-Life law. We do not want you to have to suffer a similar fate. In fact, we want to help you avoid receiving any type of conviction, whenever possible. Our criminal defense team has more than 35 years of experience, during which we have handled hundreds of cases. We advise you to bring your case to us so we can inform you about your best legal options.
Contact our firm so we can use our extensive experience to your benefit. Call 941-621-6623 to set up a free initial consultation.