Florida Laws and Programs

1998 Criminal Punishment Code

Florida's sentencing guideline system is known as the “Criminal Punishment Code.” The current guidelines were created in 1998 and codified as F.S. §§ 921.002–921.0027. This applies to sentencing for all felonies, except capital felonies, committed on or after October 1, 1998. Felony offenses subject to it are listed in a single offense severity ranking chart located at Section 921.0022, Florida Statutes. The offense severity ranking chart employs 10 offense levels, ranked from least to most severe, that is used with the Criminal Punishment Code worksheet to compute a sentence score. The defendant's addiction, including intoxication at the time of the offense, is not a mitigating factor under subSection (2) and does not justify a downward departure from the permissible sentencing range. Although the sentencing guidelines are mandatory, departures are permitted for limited reasons.

2009 Drug Control Strategy

Florida's “2009 Drug Control Strategy” includes various programs designed to reduce substance use and its related consequences. Its overarching vision is a future characterized by safe and healthy families and communities. Its four goals are to protect Florida's youth; to reduce the demand for drugs; to reduce the supply of drugs; and to reduce the human suffering, moral degradation, and harmful social, health, and economic consequences of drug abuse and addiction. The report includes 53 objectives indicating what will move the state closer to achieving its broad goals and strategic vision.

In 2005,12 percent of U.S. cocaine from abroad arrived through Florida. This shipment was seized off Miami in 2008.

Underage Drinking

Restricting the retail availability of alcohol to minors is an important part of Florida's prevention efforts. These efforts include conducting alcohol sales compliance checks; administering the ICARE program; and establishing laws related to dram shop liability, false identification, providing alcohol to minors, open house parties, and social host liability.

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