As the name suggests, the state’s three strikes law stipulates that an offender will definitely face a particularly harsh penalty if they commit a specific category of criminal offense for the third time. Florida enacted the three strikes law in the 1990s to deter habitual offenders from committing crime multiple times.
Offenders subject to the three strikes law may face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Understanding the specific crimes subject to Florida’s three strikes law is crucial for those who want to avoid this tough sentence.
The foundation of the three strikes law
Florida’s three strikes legislation became law in 1999 as part of a broader movement in the United States during the 1990s to address the issue of habitual offenders. The principle behind the legislation is to deter repeat offenders in order to protect the public.
The law set a threshold at the third offense for specific crimes perceived to threaten public safety. According to this legislation, a third felony conviction for certain types of crimes should result in the maximum sentence available.
Crimes subject to the three strikes law
The crimes covered under the law are typically violent or severe felonies; a good example is murder and attempted murder. An offender who intentionally kills or attempts to kill someone for the third time will be sentenced to life imprisonment with no parole.
Certain violent and intimate crimes are also covered under the three strikes law due to their destructive and dehumanizing nature. Furthermore, habitual conduct designed to seek a ransom or harm an abductee is considered a serious offense under this law.
Armed robbers who use deadly weapons in their undertakings may also face life imprisonment for their third offense. The same goes for criminals who assault or batter their victims with deadly weapons.
Home invasions are covered under the three strikes offense because few things threaten public safety more than individuals who invade homes with the intent to commit a crime, especially when the residents are present. The same goes for carjackings that are accompanied by the threat of violence in the presence of the car owner.
Individuals who get charged with a felony may wonder if they may be subject to the three strikes law. With appropriate legal guidance, they can better understand their circumstances, manage their expectations and explore all possible legal defense avenues.