{"id":683,"date":"2019-10-08T20:58:54","date_gmt":"2019-10-09T00:58:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clearwatercriminallawyer.net\/?p=683"},"modified":"2026-01-31T13:26:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T18:26:26","slug":"court-discusses-maximum-sentences-for-florida-life-felonies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.criminalattorneyclearwater.net\/blog\/court-discusses-maximum-sentences-for-florida-life-felonies\/","title":{"rendered":"Court Discusses Maximum Sentences for Florida Life Felonies"},"content":{"rendered":"

In some cases, it is prudent for a criminal defendant to plead guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence. A guilty plea does not always guarantee a lesser sentence; however, as the court is free to sentence a defendant to the maximum punishment permitted. The court is not permitted to exceed the maximum sentence, however, or the sentence may be deemed illegal. This was illustrated in a recent case<\/a> decided by the District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District, in a case in which the defendant pleaded guilty to sexual battery and received a sentence in excess of the maximum sentence. If you live in Clearwater and are charged with sexual battery or any other sex crime, it is important to meet with a skilled Clearwater sex crime defense attorney to help you protect your rights.<\/p>\n

Factual Background<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It is alleged that the defendant was charged with and pleaded to guilty three separate charges of sexual battery with a deadly weapon, arising out of separate acts. Prior to pleading guilty, the defendant entered into a plea agreement with the State, in which his collective sentences were not to exceed 100 years. The court disregarded the agreement, however, and sentenced the defendant to three concurrent 90-year sentences. The defendant filed a motion to correct the sentences, arguing that as sexual batteries were life felonies, but the court did not impose life sentences, the maximum term he could be sentenced for each offense was 40 years.<\/p>\n

Reportedly, the court subsequently issued an order stating that the defendant withdrew his motion. The defendant filed a second motion, but it was never ruled on. Finally, the defendant filed a third motion to correct his sentence. The court denied the motion stating that the issue had previously been ruled upon, and the defendant appealed.<\/p>\n

Continue reading \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In some cases, it is prudent for a criminal defendant to plead guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence. A guilty plea does not always guarantee a lesser sentence; however, as the court is free to sentence a defendant to the maximum punishment permitted. The court is not permitted to exceed the maximum sentence, however, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-683","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sentencing","category-sex-crimes"],"yoast_head":"\nSearch Issue: Maximum Sentences Life Felony<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Jury rules can shape the outcome. A criminal charge case can hinge on maximum sentences life felonies. See how this ruling defense. 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