Career Criminal Units: Targeting Repeat Offenders

As mandated by Florida Statute 775.0843(2), State Attorneys’ offices across Florida have established Career Criminal Units (CCUs) to focus on prosecuting repeat offenders who pose a significant threat to public safety. These specialized units are staffed by experienced prosecutors who handle cases involving defendants with extensive criminal histories.

The primary goals of CCUs include:

1. Identifying and prioritizing cases involving habitual offenders
2. Ensuring thorough investigation and preparation of cases
3. Pursuing maximum penalties allowed under law
4. Coordinating with law enforcement agencies to gather comprehensive criminal history information
5. Advocating for appropriate sentencing enhancements

By concentrating resources on career criminals, these units aim to remove persistent offenders from communities and reduce overall crime rates.

Florida’s Prison Releasee Reoffender Act

One of the key tools available to Career Criminal Units is Florida’s Prison Releasee Reoffender (PRR) Act. Enacted in 1997, this law mandates enhanced sentences for certain offenders who commit new crimes within three years of being released from prison. The PRR Act is often referred to as the “two strikes” law, but isn’t exactly a traditional “two strikes” law in the sense that it doesn’t require two separate convictions. Instead, it focuses on offenders who commit certain crimes within three years of being released from prison.

Under the PRR Act, qualifying offenders face:

• Mandatory maximum sentences for the new offense
• No possibility of early release through gain time or other programs
• Sentences to be served consecutively to any other active sentences

To be classified as a prison releasee reoffender, an individual must:

1. Have been released from a state correctional facility within the past three years
2. Commit one of the enumerated offenses listed in the statute, which includes violent crimes, burglary, and certain drug offenses

The PRR Act aims to create a strong deterrent effect by ensuring repeat offenders face swift and severe consequences for new crimes committed shortly after release from prison.

Sentencing Enhancements: Increasing Penalties for Repeat Offenders

In addition to the PRR Act, Florida law provides several other sentencing enhancement options for career criminals and repeat offenders. These include:

1. Habitual Felony Offender (HFO): Allows for extended sentences for defendants with multiple prior felony convictions.
2. Habitual Violent Felony Offender (HVFO): Imposes even longer sentences on offenders with prior violent felony convictions.
3. Violent Career Criminal (VCC): Targets offenders with extensive histories of violent crimes, mandating life sentences in many cases.
4. Three-Time Violent Felony Offender: Mandatory minimum sentences for defendants convicted of a third violent felony.

While these enhancements give prosecutors and judges the ability to impose sentences that exceed standard statutory maximums, repeat offender or “two strikes” sentencing enhancements can sometimes be applied unfairly. That’s why you should talk to an experienced and aggressive Orlando criminal defense attorney if you face enhanced sentencing under habitual or repeat offender laws.

Orlando Criminal Defense Lawyer for Repeat Offenders

At the Rivas Law firm, our criminal defense attorneys help those facing repeat offender charges with a comprehensive case evaluation and legal strategy. We will meticulously examine current charges and prior convictions to find out if there really is sufficient reason for you to be sentenced under repeat offender classification.

Our team will develop a customized defense strategy tailored to the unique circumstances of your case. This approach ensures that every aspect of the client’s situation is considered, potentially uncovering opportunities to challenge the charges or mitigate their consequences. Rivas Law Firm defense attorneys work to explore all avenues of defense, fight for fair treatment, and do their best to ensure the best possible outcome in your case. Call 407-644-2466 to speak with an Orlando criminal defense attorney at the Rivas Law Firm. Contact one criminal defense team today.