What Is Florida’s Three Strikes Law?
An arrest is already serious and embarrassing. Worse, this arrest might not be your first one, and you have more to worry about than your trial. Instead, you’re now worried about what Florida’s three strikes law is and whether you’re in trouble because of it.
If you’re facing charges in Florida, you’ll need help fighting back, especially if you might be labeled a habitual offender. That label can hurt your future, so don’t fight alone. Get help when you’ve already gotten a strike or two. You’re not out yet, and the right lawyer can help make sure you stay that way.
Three Strikes Law for Habitual Offenders
Many states have a three strikes law, which is meant to keep habitual offenders off the streets. For Florida residents, this law means that certain types of offenses will leave you with much harsher penalties as time goes on. After three strikes, you’re out, in that you’ll likely have much steeper penalties and a longer jail sentence at that point.
In Florida, this law is often known as the 10-20-Life law. This law states that for felony convictions, there must be a minimum sentence of ten, twenty, or twenty-five years to life in prison for certain crimes. These crimes are violent ones, such as the following offenses:
- Robbery
- Assault
- Aggravated child abuse
- Kidnapping
- Murder
If you’ve been accused of any of these offenses, you’ll need to seek a lawyer ASAP. If you don’t fight back, that’s a strike against you that puts you closer to a life sentence.
Who’s Affected in Florida?
When you’re facing criminal charges in Florida, you might be worried about more than your criminal record. Instead, you might be worried about the effects of the third-strike penalties. You could end up spending the rest of your life behind bars, so you’ll need to take action now.
Keep in mind, though, that the crimes affected by this law are violent felonies, so not every offense could land you with such harsh penalties. For many people—for example, those dealing with charges for traffic violations—this shouldn’t affect their proceedings.
For your case to be affected by this law, you’ll need to have been charged with two previous violent felonies. And fortunately, if these felonies were charged at the same time, you might not be affected by this. Instead, there must be two separate previous felonies before you’re impacted by this law.
Learn How a Defense Attorney Can Help
Unfortunately, you might still be worried about this law. You’re concerned about what Florida’s three strikes law is, how it will affect your case, and how you can fight back. Fortunately, you’ll have a chance to defend yourself with the help of an attorney.
At Hersem Law, we know that dealing with felony charges in Florida is scary. Your future is on the line, so you’ll need someone on your side to take action. Fortunately, our attorney can help you defend your case and hopefully get your charges dropped. Get started today with a strategy session, and we’ll discuss whether you’re nearing your third strike, as well as how we’ll fight back for your freedom.
To get started with a lawyer, reach out for help. We can be reached at 813-251-7291 or by completing the online form below.
