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Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure RCRP Rule 3.781. Sentencing Hearing to Consider the Imposition of a Life Sentence for Juvenile Offenders

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) Application. The courts shall use the following procedures in sentencing a juvenile offender for an offense which was committed after July 1, 2014, if the conviction may result in a sentence of life imprisonment or a term of years equal to life imprisonment, or for resentencing any juvenile offender whose sentence is determined to be unconstitutional pursuant to the United States Supreme Court's decision in Miller v. Alabama, 132 S. Ct. 2455, 2469 (2012) or Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48 (2010).

(b) Procedure; Evidentiary Hearing. After a determination of guilt for an offense punishable under sections 775.082(1)(b), 775.082(3)(a)5., 775.082(3)(b)2., or 775.082(3)(c), Florida Statutes, and after the examination of any presentence reports, the sentencing court shall order a sentencing hearing to be held pursuant to rules 3.720 and 3.721. The sentencing court shall allow the state and the juvenile offender to present evidence relevant to the offense, the juvenile offender's youth, and attendant circumstances, including, but not limited to those enumerated in section 921.1401(2), Florida Statutes. Additionally, the court shall allow the state and the juvenile offender to present evidence relevant to whether or not the juvenile offender killed, intended to kill, or attempted to kill the victim.

(c) Findings.

(1) The court shall make specific findings on the record that all relevant factors have been reviewed and considered by the court prior to imposing a sentence of life imprisonment or a term of years equal to life imprisonment. The court shall make written findings as to whether the juvenile offender is eligible for a sentence review hearing under subsections (2)(a), (2)(b), or (2)(c) of section 921.1402, Florida Statutes, based on whether the juvenile offender killed, attempted to kill, or intended to kill the victim. If the juvenile offender is found eligible for a sentence review hearing, the court shall issue a written order specifying:

(A) which subsection of section 921.1402(2), Florida Statutes, applies;

(B) when the juvenile offender is eligible to apply for a sentence review hearing; and

(C) that subsection 921.1402(3), Florida Statutes, requires the Department of Corrections to notify the juvenile offender when he or she will be eligible to apply for a sentence review hearing.

(2) A juvenile offender who is convicted of an offense punishable under section 775.082(1)(b)1., Florida Statutes, shall not be eligible for a sentence review hearing if the trial court finds that the juvenile offender has previously been convicted of one of the enumerated offenses, or conspiracy to commit one of the enumerated offenses, found in section 921.1402(2)(a), Florida Statutes.

(3) A copy of the written findings shall be made a part of the commitment packet for the Department of Corrections.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure RCRP Rule 3.781. Sentencing Hearing to Consider the Imposition of a Life Sentence for Juvenile Offenders - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/fl/florida-rules-of-criminal-procedure/fl-st-rcrp-rule-3-781/

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