FL H0255

Creates s. 38.24, F.S. requiring the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to collect sentencing data for criminal and juvenile cases imposed by circuit and county judges.

Initial report must cover calendar years 2013-2017 with subsequent annual reports covering the previous calendar year, including judge identity, offenses, sentence ranges, sentences imposed, and defendant demographic information (age, sex, race, income, prior criminal history).

Office must post the report on its website by March 1 annually and beginning February 1, 2018, provide copies to the Chief Justice, Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, and legislative leaders.

Evidence of sentencing disparity by a judge regarding any demographic group is grounds for that judge's disqualification from cases involving members of that demographic group under s. 38.10.

Each circuit judge and county judge receives an individual report with their personal sentencing data annually beginning February 1, 2018; effective date July 1, 2017.