Title: In Re: Amendments to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.992

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC2023-0249 
____________ 
 
IN RE: AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA RULE OF CRIMINAL 
PROCEDURE 3.992. 
 
June 29, 2023 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
 
The Florida Bar’s Criminal Procedure Rules Committee 
(Committee) filed a report proposing amendments to Florida Rule of 
Criminal Procedure 3.992 (Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet).1  
The Committee and the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar 
approved the proposed amendments.  The Committee published its 
proposal for comment prior to filing it with the Court and no 
comments were received.  After the Committee filed its report, the 
Court published the proposal for comment, and no comments were 
received. 
 
 
1.  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.; Fla. R. 
Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.140(b)(1).   
- 2 - 
 
Having considered the proposed amendments, the Court 
hereby amends Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.992.  The 
amendments include the following.  In subdivision (a) under the last 
section heading “Total Sentence Imposed,” above the box for the 
judge’s signature, the form currently states “Other Reason” for a 
mitigated departure.  We amend the rule by adding a check box 
before “Other Reason” and adding “(s):” after reason.  In subdivision 
(b) under the section “Reasons For Departure – Mitigating 
Circumstances,” at the end of the list, an additional checkbox is 
added for “Other Reason(s)” and a blank line for the sentencing 
judge to note any non-enumerated reasons for a downward 
departure.  These amendments align the rule with section 
921.0026, Florida Statutes (2022), which notes that the mitigating 
factors to be considered by the sentencing court when considering a 
downward departure are not limited to those specifically 
enumerated in the statute. 
Accordingly, we amend Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 
3.992 as reflected in the appendix to this opinion.  New language is 
indicated by underscoring; deletions are indicated by struck-
- 3 - 
 
through type.  The amendments to the rule shall become effective 
October 1, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. 
It is so ordered. 
MUÑIZ, C.J., and CANADY, LABARGA, COURIEL, GROSSHANS, 
FRANCIS, and SASSO, JJ., concur. 
 
Original Proceeding – Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 
 
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER 
THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS. 
 
Cynthia Cohen, Chair, Criminal Procedure Rules Committee, West 
Palm Beach, Florida, Joshua E. Doyle, Executive Director, The 
Florida Bar, Tallahassee, Florida, and Michael Hodges, Staff 
Liaison, The Florida Bar, Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
 
for Petitioner 
- 4 - 
 
APPENDIX 
Rule 3.992. Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet 
(a) Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet. The Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet Preparation 
Manual is available at:  http://www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/sen_cpcm/index.html 
 
1.  DATE OF SENTENCE 
 
 
2.  PREPARER’S NAME      
 
3.  COUNTY 
 
4.  SENTENCING JUDGE 
 
5.  NAME   (LAST, FIRST, MI.I.) 
 
6.  DOB 
 
8.  RACE 
B  W  OTHER 
 
10.  PRIMARY OFF. DATE 
 
12. 
PLEA   
 
 
 
7.  DC # 
 
9.  GENDER 
M  F 
 
11.  PRIMARY DOCKET # 
 
TRIAL  
I.  
PRIMARY OFFENSE:  If Qualifier, please check ____A ____S ____C ____R  (A=Attempt, S=Solicitation, C=Conspiracy, R=Reclassification) 
FELONY 
 F.S.#  
 
DESCRIPTION  
 
 
 
 
 
OFFENSE                   POINTS  
DEGREE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   LEVEL 
_______/ 
___________/ 
___________________________________________/     
__________/ 
 
(Level - Points: 1=4, 2=10, 3=16, 4=22, 5=28, 6=36, 7=56, 8=74, 9=92, 10=116) 
Prior capital felony triples Primary Offense points  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I. _______ 
 
II. 
ADDITIONAL OFFENSE(S):  Supplemental page attached  
DOCKET# 
FEL/MM 
F.S.# 
 
OFFENSE 
QUALIFY 
COUNTS 
 
POINTS 
 
TOTAL 
DEGREE 
 
 
LEVEL 
 A   S   C    R 
_____________/ 
_________/ 
______________/ 
_________ 
    
________ 
x 
_______ 
= 
______ 
DESCRIPTION__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
_____________/ 
_________/ 
______________/ 
_________ 
    
________ 
x 
_______ 
= 
______ 
DESCRIPTION__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
_____________/ 
_________/ 
______________/ 
_________ 
    
________ 
x 
_______ 
= 
______ 
DESCRIPTION__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
_____________/ 
_________/ 
______________/ 
_________ 
    
________ 
x 
_______ 
= 
______ 
DESCRIPTION__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
(Level - Points: M=0.2, 1=0.7, 2=1.2, 3=2.4, 4=3.6, 5=5.4, 6=18, 7=28, 8=37, 9=46, 10=58) 
Prior capital felony triples Additional Offense points  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Supplemental page points _______ 
          II. _______ 
III. VICTIM INJURY: 
Number 
 
Total  
 
 
Number  
Total 
2nd Degree Murder 
 
240 x 
_______ 
= 
_______ 
Slight 
 
  4 x  
_______ 
= 
_______ 
Death 
 
 
120 x 
_______ 
= 
_______ 
Sex Penetration 
80 x 
_______ 
= 
_______ 
Severe 
 
 
  40 x 
_______ 
= 
_______ 
Sex Contact 
40 x 
_______ 
= 
_______ 
Moderate  
 
  18 x 
_______ 
= 
_______ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
              III. _______ 
 
IV. PRIOR RECORD:  Supplemental page attached  
 
FEL/MM 
F.S.# 
 
OFFENSE  
 QUALIFY:  
DESCRIPTION               
            
NUMBER    POINTS     TOTAL 
DEGREE  
 
LEVEL        A  S  C  R  
                                     /                      
                                                                   _______  X  _______ = _______ 
                                     /                      
                                                                   _______  X  _______ = _______ 
                                     /                      
                                                                   _______  X  _______ = _______ 
                                     /                      
                                                                   _______  X  _______ = _______ 
                                     /                      
                                                                   _______  X  _______ = _______ 
                                     /                      
                                                                   _______  X  _______ = _______ 
                                     /                      
                                                                   _______  X  _______ = _______ 
                                     /                      
                                                                   _______  X  _______ = _______ 
                                     /                      
                                                                   _______  X  _______ = _______ 
(Level = Points: M=0.2, 1=0.5, 2=0.8, 3=1.6, 4=2.4, 5=3.6, 6=9, 7=14, 8=19, 9=23, 10=29)       
 
 
Supplemental page points _______ 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   IV. 
          _______ 
Page 1 Subtotal: _______ 
Effective Date:  For offenses committed under the Criminal Punishment Code effective for offenses committed on or after October 1, 1998, and subsequent revisions. 
- 5 - 
 
 
NAME (LAST, FIRST, MI) 
DOCKET # 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
            Page 1 Subtotal:  
_______ 
V. Legal Status ViolationLEGAL STATUS VIOLATION = 4 Points 
 Escape   Fleeing   Failure to aAppear   Supersedeas bBond   Incarceration   Pretrial iIntervention or dDiversion pProgram 
 Court iImposed or pPost pPrison rRelease cCommunity sSupervision rResulting in a cConviction  
 
 
 
 
V. 
_______  
 
 
VI.   Community Sanction violation before the court for sentencingCOMMUNITY SANCTION VIOLATION BEFORE THE COURT FOR 
SENTENCING  
 
 Probation   Community Control   Pretrial Intervention or dDiversion 
 
 
 
 
 
            VI. _______
 
 
 6 points for any violation other than new felony conviction x _______ each successive violation OR 
 New felony conviction = 12 points x _______ each successive violation if new offense results in conviction before or at 
same time as sentence for violation of probation OR     
 12 points x _______ each successive violation for a violent felony offender of special concern when the violation is not 
based solely on failure to pay costs, fines, or restitution OR 
 New felony conviction = 24 points x _______ each successive violation for a violent felony offender of special concern if 
new offense results in a conviction before or at the same time for violation of probation 
 
 
VII. Firearm/Semi-Automatic or Machine GunFIREARM/SEMI-AUTOMATIC OR MACHINE GUN = 18 or 25 Points 
         VII. _______ 
VIII. Prior Serious FelonyPRIOR SERIOUS FELONY -= 30 Points 
 
 
 
 
 
        VIII. _______ 
Subtotal Sentence Points _______ 
IX. EnhancementsENHANCEMENTS (only if the primary offense qualifies for enhancement) 
 
                   Law Enf. Protect. 
 
___ x 1.5 ___ x 2.0 ___ x 2.5 
 
Drug Trafficker 
 
___ x 1.5 
 
Motor Vehicle Theft 
 
___ x 1.5 
 
 Criminal Gang Offense 
 
      ___ x 1.5 
 
Domestic Violence in the Presence of Related Child                      Adult-on-Minor Sex Offense 
        (offenses committed on or after 3/12/07) 
                (offenses committed on or after 10/1/14)  
                    ___ x 1.5 
    ___ x 2.0 
                         Enhanced Subtotal Sentence Points IX. _______ 
 
          TOTAL SENTENCE POINTS _______ 
SENTENCE COMPUTATION 
 
If total sentence points are less than or equal to 44, the lowest permissible sentence is any non-state prison sanction.  If the total sentence points are 
22 points or less, see Section 775.082(10), Florida Statutes, to determine if the court must sentence the offender to a non-state prison sanction. 
 
 
 
 If total sentence points are greater than 44:  
                   __________________________ minus 28 = ____________________ x .75 =_____________________________________ 
                   total sentence points                                                                                           lowest permissible prison sentence in months  
If total sentence points are 60 points or less and court makes findings pursuant to both Florida Statute 948.20 and 397.334(3), the court may place the 
defendant into a treatment-based drug court program. 
 
 
The maximum sentence for each individual felony offense is the statutory maximum as provided in s. 775.082, F.S., unless the lowest permissible 
sentence listed above exceeds the statutory maximum for that offense. If the lowest permissible sentence exceeds the statutory maximum for an 
individual felony offense, the lowest permissible sentence replaces the statutory maximum and must be imposed for that offense. See State v. Gabriel, 
314 So. 3d 1243 (Fla. 2021). Sentences for multiple felony offenses may be imposed concurrently or consecutively. If total sentence points are greater 
than or equal to 363, a life sentence may be imposed. 
 
Primary offense: ____________________________________________________                    ________________________ 
                                     Description                                                                                  Maximum sentence in years 
 
Additional offense: __________________________________________________                     ________________________ 
                                     Description                                                                                  Maximum sentence in years 
 
Additional offense: __________________________________________________                     ________________________ 
                                     Description                                                                                  Maximum sentence in years 
 
Additional offense: __________________________________________________                     ________________________ 
                                     Description                                                                                  Maximum sentence in years 
 
 
Total maximum sentence in years for all counts above if consecutive sentences imposed: ________________________ 
                                                                                                                       
 
- 6 - 
 
TOTAL SENTENCE IMPOSED 
   
   Years     
 Months     
  Days 
   State Prison 
 
   Life 
 
 
 
    ___________      ___________      __________ 
   County Jail 
 
   Time Served  
 
            ___________      ___________      __________ 
   Community Control 
 
 
 
 
 
___________      ___________      __________ 
   Probation 
 
   Modified 
 
 
 
___________      ___________      __________ 
Please check if sentenced as  hHabitual oOffender,  hHabitual vViolent oOffender,  vViolent cCareer cCriminal,  pPrison 
rReleasee rReoffender, or a  mMandatory mMinimum aApplies. 
 Mitigated Departure       Plea Bargain       Prison Diversion Program 
 Other Reason(s):  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
JUDGE’S SIGNATURE 
 
 
Effective Date:  For offenses committed under the Criminal Punishment Code effective for offenses committed on or after October 1, 1998, and subsequent revisions. 
 
 
- 7 - 
 
(b) Supplemental Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet 
 
NAME (LAST, FIRST, MI.I) 
 
 DOCKET # 
 
 DATE OF SENTENCE 
II. 
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES(S): 
DOCKET# 
FEL/MM 
F.S.# 
 
OFFENSE 
QUALIFY 
COUNTS 
 
POINTS 
 
TOTAL 
DEGREE 
 
 
LEVEL 
 A   S   C    R 
_____________/ 
_________/ 
______________/ 
_________ 
    
________ 
x 
_______ 
= 
______ 
DESCRIPTION__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
_____________/ 
_________/ 
______________/ 
_________ 
    
________ 
x 
_______ 
= 
______ 
DESCRIPTION__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
_____________/ 
_________/ 
______________/ 
_________ 
    
________ 
x 
_______ 
= 
______ 
DESCRIPTION__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
_____________/ 
_________/ 
______________/ 
_________ 
    
________ 
x 
_______ 
= 
______ 
DESCRIPTION__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
_____________/ 
_________/ 
______________/ 
_________ 
    
________ 
x 
_______ 
= 
______ 
DESCRIPTION__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
(Level - Points: M=0.2, 1=0.7, 2=1.2, 3=2.4, 4=3.6, 5=5.4, 6=18, 7=28, 8=37, 9=46, 10=58) 
  
 II.  _______ 
IV. PRIOR RECORD 
FEL/MM 
F.S.# 
 
OFFENSE  
 QUALIFY:  
OFFENSE/DATE/STATE               
            
NUMBER      POINTS     TOTAL 
DEGREE 
 
       LEVEL       
 A  S  C  R 
                                     /                      
                   /                     /                         _______  X  _______ = _______ 
                                     /                      
                   /                     /                         _______  X  _______ = _______ 
                                     /                      
                   /                     /                         _______  X  _______ = _______ 
                                     /                      
                   /                     /                         _______  X  _______ = _______ 
                                     /                      
                   /                     /                         _______  X  _______ = _______ 
                                     /                      
                   /                     /                         _______  X  _______ = _______ 
(Level = Points: M=0.2, 1=0.5, 2=0.8, 3=1.6, 4=2.4, 5=3.6, 6=9, 7=14, 8=19, 9=23, 10=29) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
             
 
 
 
 
 
 
  IV.  _______ 
REASONS FOR DEPARTURE - MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES 
(reasons may be checked here or written on the scoresheet) 
  Legitimate, uncoerced plea bargain. 
 
The defendant was an accomplice to the offense and was a relatively minor participant in the criminal conduct. 
 
The capacity of the defendant to appreciate the criminal nature of the conduct or to conform that conduct to the requirements of law was substantially impaired. 
The defendant requires specialized treatment for a mental disorder that is unrelated to substance abuse or addiction, or for a physical disability, and the defendant 
is amenable to treatment. 
The need for payment of restitution to the victim outweighs the need for a prison sentence. 
 
The victim was an initiator, willing participant, aggressor, or provoker of the incident. 
 
The defendant acted under extreme duress or under the domination of another person. 
 
Before the identity of the defendant was determined, the victim was substantially compensated. 
 
The defendant cooperated with the State to resolve the current offense or any other offense. 
 
The offense was committed in an unsophisticated manner and was an isolated incident for which the defendant has shown remorse. 
 
At the time of the offense the defendant was too young to appreciate the consequences of the offense. 
The defendant is to be sentenced as a youthful offender. 
The defendant is amenable to the services of a postadjudicatory treatment-based drug court program and is otherwise qualified to participate in the program.  
The defendant was making a good faith effort to obtain or provide medical assistance for an individual experiencing a drug-related overdose. 
Other Reason(s): _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Pursuant to 921.0026(3) the defendant’s substance abuse or addiction does not justify a downward departure from the lowest permissible sentence, except for 
the provisions of s. 921.0026(2)(m). 
 
Effective Date:  For offenses committed under the Criminal Punishment Code effective for offenses committed on or after October 1, 1998, and subsequent 
revisions.