Court Opinion

ID: 9405881
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-06-29 16:04:54.430699+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:20:25.418906
License: Public Domain

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).
     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-

                                -2-
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

                                 -3-
                                                                              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                         10. PRIMARY OFF. DATE        12.

                                                                                                 B W OTHER                                                 PLEA    
                                                                    7. DC #                      9. GENDER                       11. PRIMARY DOCKET #
                                                                                                                                                              TRIAL   
                                                                                                 M F
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                  4x      _______          =       _______
      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.

                                                                                        -4-
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.         Drug Trafficker   Motor Vehicle Theft   Criminal Gang Offense   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 ___ x 2.5      ___ x 1.5           ___ x 1.5              ___ x 1.5                            ___ 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: ________________________

                                                                                             -5-
                                                           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.

                                                                               -6-
       (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.

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