Criminal Defense Lawyers

Florida’s 10-20-Life Law: Mandatory Minimums for Gun Crimes

Florida’s 10-20-Life law is a criminal statute that requires judges to order mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years, 20 years, or 25 years to life for the commission of certain convictions for felonies involving the use or attempted use of a firearm or destructive device

. The law was enacted in 1999 to combat gun-related crimes in Florida

. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about Florida’s 10-20-Life law, including its implications, pros and cons, and specific defenses.

What is Florida’s 10-20-Life Law?

Florida’s 10-20-Life law requires judges to impose mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years, 20 years, or 25 years to life for certain convictions for felonies involving the use or attempted use of a firearm or destructive device

. The penalties get even stiffer if the firearm used is an assault weapon or machine gun. In those cases, judges must impose a sentence of 15 years, 20 years, or 25 years to life

. The 10-20-Life term of incarceration must be imposed in addition and consecutive to the sentence for the underlying felony conviction

.

What Kind of Cases Fell Under This Suspended Florida Statute?

Judges are required by law to impose the mandatory minimum sentences in cases involving convictions for committing or attempting to commit any of the following felonies, regardless of whether the use of the weapon was an element of the crime

:

• Murder
• Sexual battery
• Robbery
• Burglary
• Arson
• Aggravated assault
• Aggravated battery
• Kidnappings
• Escape
• Aircraft piracy
• Aggravated child abuse
• Aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult
• Unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb
• Carjacking
• Home invasion robbery

What are the Pros and Cons of Florida’s 10-20-Life Law?

Pros

• The law has been effective in reducing gun-related crimes in Florida
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• The law ensures that criminals who use firearms during the commission of a crime are punished severely
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Cons

• The law has been criticized for being too harsh and inflexible
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• The law has been accused of disproportionately affecting minorities and low-income individuals
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What are the Specific Defenses for Florida’s 10-20-Life Law?

There are several defenses that can be used to fight charges under Florida’s 10-20-Life law. These include:

• Self-defense: If the defendant used the firearm in self-defense, they may be able to avoid conviction under the law
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• Lack of intent: If the defendant did not intend to use the firearm during the commission of the crime, they may be able to avoid conviction under the law
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• Illegal search and seizure: If the firearm was obtained through an illegal search and seizure, the evidence may be suppressed and the charges dismissed
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Conclusion

Florida’s 10-20-Life law is a criminal statute that requires judges to order mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years, 20 years, or 25 years to life for certain convictions for felonies involving the use or attempted use of a firearm or destructive device. The law has been effective in reducing gun-related crimes in Florida, but it has also been criticized for being too harsh and inflexible. If you are facing charges under Florida’s 10-20-Life law, it is important to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you understand your rights and options.

Citations

• 1

   https://www.robertmalovelaw.com/library/floridas-10-20-life-statute-in-a-nutshell.cfm

• 2

   https://www.myfloridalaw.com/criminal-defense/floridas-10-20-life-law/

• 3

   https://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/rpt/2013-r-0067.htm

• 4

   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10-20-Life

• 5

   https://criminaldefenseattorneytampa.com/firearm-gun-weapon-charges/10-20-life/