In Florida criminal cases, scoresheets calculate the minimum sentence that a defendant may receive for certain felony offenses. These scoresheets are based on the Criminal Punishment Code (CPC), which was established by the Florida Legislature to provide guidelines for sentencing in felony cases.

The scoresheets take into account various factors, including the severity of the offense, the defendant's prior criminal history, and any additional enhancements or mitigating circumstances. Each felony offense is assigned a certain number of points based on its severity, with more serious offenses carrying higher point values.

The defendant's criminal history is also assigned points based on the severity and number of prior offenses. These points are added together to determine the defendant's total scoresheet points. The total points are then cross-referenced with a scoresheet matrix to determine the minimum and maximum sentences allowed under the CPC.

Scoresheets provide judges with a framework for sentencing, but they do not bind judges to a specific sentence. Judges have discretion to deviate from the recommended sentence based on factors such as mitigating circumstances, the defendant's cooperation, or the interests of justice.

Overall, scoresheets serve as a tool to promote consistency and fairness in sentencing by providing a standardized method for evaluating the severity of offenses and the defendant's criminal history.

If you or someone you know has questions about a scoresheet calculation, contact Howeller Law P.L.L.C. today.  Consultations are always free.