🔫 Florida's 10-20-Life Law: What It Means and Who It Affects
Florida’s “10-20-Life” law—codified under Fla. Stat. § 775.087—requires mandatory minimum prison sentences for people who commit certain violent felonies while using or possessing a firearm.
If you’re facing a charge involving a gun in Florida, here’s what you need to know about this law—and how it can drastically affect your sentence.
📜 What Is the 10-20-Life Law?
The law mandates the following minimum penalties if you are convicted of certain felonies involving a firearm or destructive device:
- 10 years – If you possess a firearm during the commission of a qualifying felony
- 20 years – If you discharge a firearm during the offense
- 25 years to life – If you discharge a firearm and cause serious injury or death
These minimums must be served consecutively to the sentence for the underlying offense—not concurrently.
⚖️ Enhanced Penalties for Certain Weapons
If the firearm involved is:
- An assault weapon
- A semiautomatic firearm with a high-capacity magazine
- A machine gun
…the minimums increase to 15, 20, or 25 years to life respectively.
⚖️ Enhanced Penalties for Certain Weapons
The statute applies to the following felonies (among others):
- Murder (§ 782.04)
- Sexual Battery (§ 794.011)
- Robbery (§ 812.13)
- Burglary (§ 810.02)
- Arson (§ 806.01)
- Aggravated Battery (§ 784.045)
- Kidnapping (§ 787.01)
- Escape (§ 944.40)
- Aircraft Piracy (§ 860.16)
- Aggravated Child Abuse (§ 827.03)
- Elderly or Disabled Adult Abuse (§ 825.102)
- Discharging a Destructive Device or Bomb (§ 790.165)
- Carjacking (§ 812.133)
- Home Invasion Robbery (§ 812.135)
- Aggravated Stalking (§ 784.048)
- Drug Trafficking (§ 893.135)
- Capital Drug Importation (§ 893.135)
📌 Related: 👉 Drug Trafficking Mandatory Minimums in Florida
🔹 Special Notes: Reduced Minimums for Certain Charges
Some charges require a three-year minimum sentence instead of 10 years:
- Aggravated Assault with a Firearm (§ 784.021)
- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (§ 790.23)
- Burglary of a Conveyance (Car or Boat)
These still carry mandatory time but are treated differently under the law.
🛡️ Defending Against 10-20-Life Charges
If you’re facing charges under 10-20-Life, you need a lawyer who understands:
- How to challenge the firearm evidence
- When the statute does or doesn’t apply
- How to negotiate for lesser-included offenses
- Whether your case qualifies for a downward departure motion
📌 Related: 👉 Motion to Suppress in Florida Criminal Cases
📞 Accused of a Gun Crime in Florida? Call Michael White, P.A.
The Florida 10-20-Life law can result in decades behind bars—even for first-time offenders. You need a skilled criminal defense attorney who knows how to push back against mandatory minimums and build a strong legal strategy.
At Michael White, P.A., we represent clients facing firearm-related felonies throughout Fort Lauderdale and South Florida.
📲 Call (954) 270-0769 or schedule your free consultation today.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions: Florida’s 10-20-Life Law
Q1: What is Florida’s 10-20-Life law?
A: Florida’s 10-20-Life law mandates minimum prison sentences for certain felonies committed with a firearm: 10 years for possession, 20 years for firing, and 25 years to life for causing serious injury or death.
Q2: Does 10-20-Life apply to all felony charges?
A: No. It only applies to specific violent or serious felonies listed in Fla. Stat. § 775.087, including robbery, sexual battery, aggravated battery, drug trafficking, and others.
Q3: Can a judge reduce the sentence under 10-20-Life?
A: Not usually. The law removes judicial discretion, meaning judges must impose the mandatory minimums unless there’s a valid legal reason for a downward departure, which is rare.
Q4: What happens if I didn’t fire the gun?
A: If you possessed a firearm during the crime but didn’t fire it, the minimum sentence is still 10 years. Firing the weapon increases the penalty to 20 years, even if no one is injured.
Q5: Can I be charged under 10-20-Life if someone else had the gun?
A: Possibly. Prosecutors may pursue a theory of constructive possession or principals theory (if you were an accomplice). A skilled defense lawyer can challenge this and seek dismissal or reduction.