Habitual Violent Felony Offender in Florida

Under Florida law, the court must find three things before making a determination that the defendant qualifies for enhanced sentencing provisions as a Habitual Violent Felony Offender (HVFO) under Florida Statute Section 775.084(1)(b) including:

• Previous separate convictions, not pardoned on the grounds of innocence or set aside in post-conviction proceedings, for a felony, attempt to commit a felony, or conspiracy to commit a felony and one or more of such convictions were for:
  • Arson;
  • Sexual Battery;
  • Robbery;
  • Kidnapping;
  • Aggravated Child Abuse;
  • Aggravated Abuse of Elderly or Disabled Adult;
  • Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon;
  • Murder;
  • Manslaughter;
  • Unlawful throw, place or discharge of a destructive device or bomb;
  • Armed Burglary;
  • Aggravated Battery; or
  • Aggravated Stalking.

• The felony for which Defendant is to be sentenced was committed under the following circumstances:
  • while in prison or other commitment or supervision for a prior conviction for an enumerated felony; or
  • within 5 years of the date of conviction of last prior enumerated felony; or
  • within five (5) years of release from a prison sentence, supervision, control release, conditional release, parole, or other commitment imposed for a prior conviction for an enumerated felony, whichever is later.

Disclaimer: This summary does not explain every important aspect of Florida’s Statutory Enhanced Penalties. Instead, the summary is intended to provide general information that might act as a starting point for further research.

Attorney for Habitual Felony Offenders in Tampa, FL

For more information on Florida’s enhanced sentencing statutes, including the habitual felony offender, violent career criminal, and prison releasee reoffender, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Sammis Law Firm in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL.

Our main office is in downtown Tampa, FL. Our second office is across from the courthouse at the West Pasco Judicial Center in New Port Richey.

Contact us about Section 775.084(1)(b)1., F.S., which contains a list of criminal offenses that provide for enhanced criminal penalties for a defendant who is classified as a habitual violent felony offender.

Call 813-250-0500.

This article was last updated on Friday, June 4, 2021.