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FL H0071
Bill
Status
Introduced
12/21/2022
Primary Sponsor
Criminal Justice Subcommittee
Click for details
AI Summary
- Expands Florida's enhanced penalty protections under s. 775.0823 to cover violent offenses committed against public defenders, regional counsel, court-appointed counsel, and defense attorneys in criminal proceedings when acting in their capacity as defense counsel
- Previously, enhanced penalties for violent offenses applied only to crimes against law enforcement officers, correctional officers, state attorneys, assistant state attorneys, justices, and judges; the bill adds criminal defense attorneys to this protected class
- Covered violent offenses include first-, second-, and third-degree murder, attempted murder, attempted felony murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, aggravated battery, and aggravated assault, with adjudication of guilt or sentencing not permitted to be suspended, deferred, or withheld
- Amends the Criminal Punishment Code (s. 921.0024) to apply existing sentencing multipliers (ranging from 1.5x to 2.5x subtotal sentence points) to violent offenses against the newly added defense attorney categories, and renames the relevant provision from "Law enforcement protection" to "Violent offenses committed against specified justice system personnel"
- Effective date of July 1, 2023
Legislative Description
Violent Offenses Committed Against Criminal Defense Attorneys
Last Action
Laid on Table; companion bill(s) passed, see CS/SB 384 (Ch. 2023-190)
4/13/2023
Committee Referrals
Judiciary2/22/2023
Justice Appropriations Subcommittee2/13/2023
Criminal Justice Subcommittee1/10/2023
Full Bill Text
No bill text available