Title: Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure Re: Sentencing Guidelines

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

522 So. 2d 374 (1988)
FLORIDA RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE RE: SENTENCING GUIDELINES (RULES 3.701 & 3.988).
No. 71600.

Supreme Court of Florida.
April 21, 1988.[*]
Leonard Holton, Director, Sentencing Guidelines Commission, Tallahassee, for petitioner.
PER CURIAM.
The Sentencing Guidelines Commission has petitioned this Court for changes in the sentencing guidelines rules. The first change is purely procedural. Its purpose is to:
The second change is to:
We approve this petition and recommend that the legislature approve these changes. One of the chief complaints about the guidelines is that in many instances the sentencing cells are too narrow for the circumstances of certain crimes. This modification would afford an opportunity to adjust sentences outside of the norm for the particular category. Nevertheless, it is contemplated that the use of the "permitted" range would be the exception rather than the rule and that most sentences will remain in the recommended cell. The expanded cells should result in fewer true departure sentences and hence fewer appeals. The amendments are attached to this opinion.
We should advise that there is a difference of opinion on whether this amendment would result in more prison days in the state penitentiary than exist under present guidelines. We have no reason to believe that it will.
In chapter 87-110, Laws of Florida, the legislature changed the standard for evaluating the sufficiency of reasons for departure from recommended ranges. The original version of this opinion, however, inadvertently overlooked that recent amendment to section 921.001, Florida Statutes (1987). On the commission's motion for clarification, therefore, we amend Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.701b.6, d.8, and d.11. to remove reference to "clear and convincing" reasons.
It is so ordered.
McDONALD, C.J., and OVERTON, EHRLICH, SHAW, GRIMES and KOGAN, JJ., concur.
BARKETT, J., concurs in part and dissents in part with an opinion.
RULE 3.701. SENTENCING GUIDELINES
a. This rule is to be used in conjunction with forms 3.988(a)-(i).
The purpose of sentencing guidelines is to establish a uniform set of standards to guide the sentencing judge in the sentence decision-making process. The guidelines represent a synthesis of current sentencing theory and historic sentencing practices throughout the state. Sentencing guidelines are intended to eliminate unwarranted variation in the sentencing process by reducing the subjectivity in interpreting specific offense-related and offender-related criteria and in defining their relative importance in the sentencing decision.
The sentencing guidelines embody the following principles:
Offenses have been grouped into nine (9) offense categories encompassing the following statutes:
COMMITTEE NOTE: (a) The operation of this rule is not intended to change the law or requirements of proof as regards sentencing.
(b) These principles are binding on the sentencing court.
(c) Only one category is proper in any particular case. Category 9, "All Other Felony Offenses," should be used only when the primary offense at conviction is not included in another, more specific category. The guidelines do not apply to capital felonies.
Inchoate offenses are included within the category of the offense attempted, solicited, or conspired to, as modified by Ch. 777.
The form appearing at Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.988(a) has been revised to incorporate a point value for inclusion in the prior record factor utilized in the determination of recommenced sentence by scoring each prior conviction under section 316.193, Florida Statutes (Supp. 1984), or section 316.1931, Florida Statutes (Supp. 1984), or section 327.351, Florida Statutes (Supp. 1984), at a value of thirty-two (32) points. This point value will be applied only where the offender is convicted for a violation of section 316.193(3)(c)3, Florida Statutes (Supp. 1986), or section 327.351, Florida Statutes (Supp. 1984), where the operation of a motor vehicle or vessel by the offender while intoxicated as defined in section 316.193(1), Florida Statutes (Supp. 1986), or section 327.351(1), Florida Statutes (Supp. 1984), results in the death of any human being and the scoresheet utilized in sentencing is the form appearing at Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.988(a). For purposes of determining a prior conviction for a violation of the above enumerated statute, a prior conviction for violation of section 316.1931 or section 316.193 or former section 860.01 or former section 316.028, or a previous conviction for any substantially similar alcohol-related or drug-related traffic offense outside this state, shall also be considered a prior conviction.
(d)(1) Ultimate responsibility for assuring that scoresheets are accurately prepared rests with the sentencing court. Due to ethical considerations, defense counsel may not be compelled to submit a scoresheet. Probation and parole officers may be directed to compile guidelines scoresheets only when a presentence investigation *379 has been ordered. The forms for calculating the guidelines are forms 3.988(a)(i).
(d)(2) This definition applies to both instant offense and prior record scoring.
(d)(3) The proper offense category is identified upon determination of the primary offense. When the defendant is convicted of violations of more than one unique statute, the offenses are to be sorted by statutory degree.
(d)(4) No points shall be scored for lesser and included offenses. In the event of multiple counts of the same distinct offense and degree of felony being scored as primary offense, it shall be scored as additional counts of the primary offense. All other offenses for which the defendant is convicted and are pending before the court for sentencing shall be scored as additional offenses.
(d)(5) Each separate prior felony and misdemeanor conviction in an offender's prior record which amounts to a violation of Florida law shall be scored, unless discharged by the passage of time. Any uncertainty in the scoring of the defendant's prior record shall be resolved in favor of the defendant, and disagreement as to the propriety of scoring specific entries in the prior record should be resolved by the trial judge.
Prior record includes all offenses for which the defendant has been found guilty, regardless of whether adjudication was withheld or the record has been expunged.
Juvenile dispositions, with the exclusion of status offenses, are included and considered along with adult convictions by operation of this provision. However, each separate adjudication is discharged from consideration if three (3) years have passed between the date of disposition and the commission of the instant offense.
For any offense where sentence was previously suspended pursuant to the imposition of probation and such offense is now before the court for sentencing, upon a revocation of that probation based upon a subsequent criminal offense (which subsequent offense is also before the court for sentencing at the same time), the earlier offense shall be scored as "prior record" and not as "additional offense."
(d)(7) This provision implements the intention of the commission that points for victim injury be added for each victim injured during a criminal transaction or episode. The injury need not be an element of the crime for which the defendant is convicted, but is limited to physical trauma. However, if the victim injury is the result of a crime for which the defendant has been acquitted, it shall not be scored.
(d)(8) The first guideline cell in each category (any nonstate prison sanction) allows the court the flexibility to impose any lawful term of probation with or without a period of incarceration as a condition of probation, a county jail term alone or any nonincarcerative disposition. The presumptive sentences in the succeeding grids refer to commitments to state prison. Any presumptive sentence may include the requirement that a fine be paid. The presumptive sentences are found in forms 3.988(a)-(i).
(d)(10) If an offender is convicted under an enhancement statute, the reclassified degree should be used as the basis for scoring the primary offense in the appropriate category. If the offender is sentenced under section 775.084 (habitual offender), the maximum allowable sentence is increased as provided by the operation of that statute. If the sentence imposed departs from the recommended sentence, the provisions of (d)(11) shall apply.
(d)(11) A sentencing judge may depart from the recommended sentence and impose a sentence within permitted range without giving reasons therefor. If a sentencing judge departs from the permitted range, reasons for departure shall be articulated at the time sentence is imposed. The written statement shall be made a part of the record, with sufficient specificity to inform all parties, as well as the public, of the reasons for departure. The court is prohibited from considering offenses for which the offender has not been convicted. Other factors, consistent and not in conflict *380 with the Statement of Purpose, may be considered and utilized by the sentencing judge.
(d)(12) The sentencing court shall impose or suspend sentence for each separate count, as convicted. The total sentence shall not exceed the guideline sentence, unless the provisions of paragraph (11) are complied with.
If a split sentence is imposed (i.e., a combination of state prison and probation supervision), the incarcerative portion imposed shall not be less than the minimum of the guideline range nor exceed the maximum of the range. The total sanction (incarceration and probation) shall not exceed the term provided by general law.
(d)(13) Community control is a viable alternative for any state prison sentence less than twenty-four (24) months without requiring a reason for departure. It is appropriate to impose a sentence of community control to be followed by a term of probation. The total sanction (community control and probation) shall not exceed the term provided by general law.
Community control is not an alternative sanction from the recommended range of any nonstate prison sanction unless the provisions of Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.701(d)(11) are applied.
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BARKETT, Justice, concurring in part, dissenting in part.
While I agree with the first recommendation of the Guidelines Commission, I dissent from the majority's endorsement of the second. I cannot agree that the "permitted ranges" proposal is in keeping with the goal of uniformity that underlies the guidelines.
[*]  The Per Curiam opinion in this matter was published at 520 So. 2d 13. This publication incorporates modifications made on a motion for clarification.