{"id":34118,"date":"2024-07-11T12:14:40","date_gmt":"2024-07-11T16:14:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thefernandezlawgroup.com\/?p=34118"},"modified":"2024-11-26T13:57:11","modified_gmt":"2024-11-26T18:57:11","slug":"harsher-penalties-for-career-criminals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thefernandezlawgroup.com\/2024\/07\/11\/harsher-penalties-for-career-criminals\/","title":{"rendered":"FLORIDA JURISDICTIONS WORKING TO IMPOSE HARSHER PENALTIES FOR CAREER CRIMINALS"},"content":{"rendered":"

FLORIDA JURISDICTIONS WORKING TO IMPOSE HARSHER PENALTIES FOR CAREER CRIMINALS<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Florida\u2019s Ninth Judicial Circuit<\/a> has recently established a new Career Criminal Unit to send a message to \u201ccareer criminals\u201d and repeat violent offenders.<\/p>\n

The team, which includes three volunteer attorneys, screens incoming felony cases for sentencing enhancements and helps to determine which cases may qualify for harsher penalties.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Previously, it was up to the individual assistant state attorneys to determine sentencing enhancements.<\/p>\n

These new enhancements impose harsher penalties for career criminals by allowing the judge to sentence someone beyond what the statute allows and increase or extend it to a maximum sentence, based on how often certain crimes were committed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Florida\u2019s criminal law already imposes significant sentencing enhancements on \u00a0prison sentences handed down by Florida judges. The punishment structure was designed by the state legislature to severely punish repeat offenders.<\/p>\n

Many people facing criminal charges are aware of harsher penalties for career criminals and fear them. \u00a0Florida\u2019s sentencing enhancements are also known as PRR, or prison releasee re-offender, HFO, or Habitual Felony Offender, HFVO, or Habitual Violent Felony Offender, VCC is also known as a violent career criminal, three-time violent felony offender, and Florida\u2019s 10\/20\/Life law.<\/p>\n

Ninth Judicial Circuit Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney Jamie McManus says sentencing enhancements, including harsher penalties for career criminals, are a crucial tool to combat repeat offenders and that it’s important for people to get the message if they are continuing to victimize others.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWith the availability of sentencing enhancements, some of them actually required, we\u2019re able to ensure that if you\u2019ve come through the system multiple times, that there will be an end that there will come a time that, that was your last offense,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The hope of the new program is to seek a sentence that reflects not only the crime but also\u00a0the criminal\u00a0career\u00a0of that person.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s something criminal defense attorney Jose Rivas says will have a direct effect on defendants.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is going to affect individuals who have been released from prison,\u201d he said. \u201cAt the beginning of the case, when the individual is charged, the state is going to make a determination whether they\u2019re going to be seeking the enhancement.\u201d<\/p>\n

He says these enhancements will mean an increase in the minimum penalties<\/strong> and likely, a lot more work, caseload and depositions on both sides.<\/p>\n

Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Andrew Bain says they chose experienced attorneys for this unit<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t take them a long time to get through the process of reviewing cases for enhancements, and so it allows us to be multifaceted in how we\u2019re using our staff,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The process starts soon after an arrest.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, when somebody is charged with a felony crime that qualifies, that\u2019s when the unit kicks in, to review the person\u2019s criminal record review,\u201d said Bain.<\/p>\n

Fernandez Law Group offers aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys to assist anyone in the full spectrum of their defense, whether they are charged with State or Federal crimes. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you or someone you know is charged with a criminal act, it is important to contact an experienced defense lawyer immediately. \u00a0We defend against harsher penalties for career criminals.<\/p>\n

CALL<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0US\u00a0TODAY AT <\/strong>813-489-3222<\/strong><\/a>, USE OUR <\/strong>CONTACT FORM<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>EMAIL<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0OR <\/strong>TEXT<\/strong><\/a> US\u00a0FOR A <\/strong>FREE CONSULTATION AND CASE EVALUATION<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Learn More:<\/strong> https:\/\/thefernandezlawgroup.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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Newsletter: 7\/11\/24 – FLORIDA JURISDICTIONS WORKING TO IMPOSE HARSHER PENALTIES FOR CAREER CRIMINALS<\/strong><\/h2>\n