What is a Life Felony?

Each state has different laws and penalties in place when it comes to crimes. Some crimes are worse than others. Many crimes are felonies, but some states have different degrees of felonies.

In the United States, life imprisonment is the most severe punishment in states with no valid capital punishment statute, and second-most in those with a valid statute. In the United States, one of every nine prison inhabitants were imprisoned for life as of 2012.

In Florida, the most serious degrees of felonies are capital felonies and life felonies. Capital felonies carry the death penalty. A life felony is below that. It typically involves extremely violent or egregious acts and carries very harsh penalties.

It is called a life felony because the maximum penalty is up to life imprisonment. There is also a fine of up to $15,000 involved. One thing to keep in mind is that there is no statute of limitations for life felonies, so you can be charged at any time.

Examples include:

• Sexual battery on a child under 12. This is when an adult commits sexual battery on a child younger than 12. The penalty is mandatory life sentence or death.
• Kidnapping with intent to commit a felony. This involves kidnapping a victim with the intent to commit a sexual offense, robbery, or inflict bodily harm. The penalty is a life felony if aggravating elements are present.
• Armed robbery with a firearm causing serious injury. This involves robbery with a deadly weapon that results in serious injury or death. The penalty is a life felony.
• Attempted murder by an inmate. As the name implies, this involves a prison inmate attempting to kill another person. The penalty is a life felony.
• Drug trafficking. This involves trafficking large quantities of controlled substances, such as 150 kg or more of cocaine. The penalty is a life felony, sometimes with a 25-year mandatory minimum.
• Capital felonies reduced by a plea. If someone charged with a capital felony accepts a plea deal, the charge may be reduced to a life felony.

What the Law Says

Florida Statutes Section 775.082 outlines the penalties for certain crimes, particularly life felonies. The penalties are based on the date the crime was committed.

• For a life felony committed before October 1, 1983, life imprisonment refers to a term of at least 30 years.
• For a life felony committed on or after October 1, 1983, life imprisonment refers to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 40 years.
• For a life felony committed on or after July 1, 1995, life imprisonment refers to a term of years not exceeding life imprisonment.

Contact Us Today

Certain crimes can result in a life felony, or life in prison. There is often no parole for these crimes, so you could indeed spend decades in prison, depending on how old you are at the time of the crime.

A Florida criminal defense lawyer from Linkhorst & Hockin, P.A. can help you avoid a life felony. Let’s discuss your situation and work to arrive at the best outcome. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling 561-626-8880.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0775/Sections/0775.082.html