Brevard County Habitual Felony Offender Attorneys
Habitual felony offenders are distinguished from other felons by their criminal record, and they can earn longer sentences than the maximums that are set according to the degree of the crime.
At Platt Hopwood Russell & Cole, our Brevard County habitual felony offender lawyers have the criminal law experience necessary to represent your best interests if you are being accused of a second or third felony. Contact us to learn how we may help you.
Melbourne, Florida, Lawyers Protecting the Rights of Accused Violent Career Criminals
To qualify as a habitual felony offender, you must be convicted of at least two felonies (one of which cannot be a conviction relating to the purchase or possession of a controlled substance), the second of which must be within five years of having been released from prison for the previous felony.
Felonies that can qualify you for HFO status include:
- Arson
- Sexual battery
- Robbery
- Kidnapping
- Aggravated child abuse or abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Murder and manslaughter
- Aggravated manslaughter of an elderly person, disabled adult or child
- Unlawful throwing, placing or discharging of a destructive device or bomb
- Armed burglary
- Aggravated battery
- Aggravated stalking
If you qualify as a habitual felony offender and you are convicted of the subsequent felony, your sentence could be enhanced as follows:
- Third-degree felony — 10-year maximum sentence
- Second-degree felony — 30-year maximum sentence
- First-degree felony/life felony — life in prison maximum sentence
Keep in mind that this is not a mandatory sentence enhancement; you will be sentenced within the extended range at the court’s discretion based on your criminal history and the defense that you and your attorney present at court. Consequently, it is critical that you work with an experienced criminal defense attorney to build a strong case against the enhanced sentence that a habitual felony offender or prison releasee reoffender can receive.
Habitual felony offenders may also be deemed ineligible for early release.
If you think you may qualify as a habitual violent felony offender, call Platt Hopwood Russell & Cole attorneys toll free at 800-479-3032 or contact us by email to set up a free consultation with one of our Melbourne violent career criminal defense attorneys.