Felony Plea Bargaining in Florida

Many people underestimate the value of a skilled criminal defense lawyer when it comes to negotiating a felony plea bargain. Specifically, a plea bargain is the process by which the State and the defense hammer out an agreement to be ratified by a presiding judge for sentencing.

Felony sentencing is much trickier than misdemeanor sentencing because felonies invoke the Florida Punishment Code.

Under the FPC, points are assessed for a variety of factors, and a total point number is very important: above 44 points, and a sentence must be a prison sentence unless a lawful downward departure is demonstrated.

Finding downward departure grounds is time consuming, difficult, yet can make all of the difference in the world between going to prison or getting community supervision.