Opinion ID: 1668828
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Former Article I, Section 17

Text: We next consider whether Adaway's sentence violates the former article I, section 17 of the Florida Constitution. Because this provision forbade cruel or unusual punishment as opposed to the Eighth Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment, the Florida provision arguably was broader. See Hale, 630 So.2d at 526. We have never concluded, however, that the difference between the federal and and the Florida or was constitutionally decisive. For this reason, we have never precisely identified the parameters of the former Cruel or Unusual Punishment Clause. In Hale, for example, we concluded: It is not necessary to delineate the precise contours of the Florida guarantee against cruel or unusual punishment ... because Hale's sentence is clearly not disproportionate. Id. at 526. We reach the same conclusion here. We therefore hold that Adaway's sentence does not violate article I, section 17 of the Florida Constitution.