Florida lawmakers have taken a number of steps to help ensure that those who are sentenced to prison serve the bulk of their sentence as well as to prevent recidivism, which involves those convicted of criminal offenses going on to reoffend after they’re released.
Let’s look at two laws in particular that anyone facing a criminal charge should be aware of because they can affect their future.
The “three strikes” law
Like a number of states, Florida has what’s commonly referred to as a “three strikes” law. In our state, the law requires that anyone who is convicted of a felony and has had two prior felony convictions within five years receive a mandatory minimum sentence for the third offense.
The “truth in sentencing” law (S.T.O.P. Act)
The S.T.O.P. (Stop Turning Out Prisoners) Act says that anyone who is sentenced to state prison must serve at least 85% of that sentence before they can be eligible for release based on good behavior (known as “gain time”).
These laws typically apply to violent and other serious felony offenses. They give judges and corrections officials less discretion to consider individual circumstances when sentencing someone or determining whether they can be released from prison early.
What does that mean for someone charged with a crime? It means, in part, that if someone isn’t pleading “not guilty,” it’s worthwhile to try to get the charge(s) reduced to help avoid a lengthy prison sentence. This can be crucial for those who aren’t first-time offenders. That means getting early and experienced legal guidance.
