De Vlaming, who represents Lyons, plans to file a petition on the minister's behalf and hopes to cut 18 months from Lyons' sentence. Some question whether DOC figures may prove too high. De Vlaming noted that many inmates won't qualify, especially those who accepted a plea bargain from prosecutors. And others face identical sentences under both 1994 and 1995 guidelines. So far, just 164 prisoners sentenced in Pinellas have petitioned the courts for a sentence reduction and another 30 in Pasco.
Hillsborough figures are unavailable.
But Dillinger said his office hasn't begun to file numerous additional petitions. I just know it's going to be hundreds. Hearings on sentence reductions may begin within several weeks. How many prisoners are affected also may depend on how circuit judges interpret the Supreme Court decision. Another appellate court in South Florida ruled that the window of opportunity was nearly eight months narrower.