📊 Understanding Florida Felony Sentencing Scoresheets

When someone faces felony charges in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in South Florida, the prosecutor is required to prepare a criminal sentencing scoresheet. While the Florida Department of Corrections has a detailed manual on completing one, understanding the key elements can give you a clearer idea of how much prison time you might be facing — and how a local defense attorney can help.

⚖️ What Is a Sentencing Scoresheet?

A sentencing scoresheet assigns point values to specific facts in your case. These include:

The primary charge
Any additional charges
The level of injury to the victim
Prior convictions
Whether a firearm was used
Whether the offense occurred while on probation or another form of supervision

Once the points are totaled:

44 points or more = mandatory prison.
Less than 44 points = prison is discretionary (meaning the judge may impose probation or another alternative).

Understanding how the scoresheet works is critical to building a strong felony defense in Fort Lauderdale and across South Florida.

Need Help with Felony Charges?

🔍 Breaking Down the Key Factors

🔹 Primary Offense

The most serious charge you’re facing is labeled the Primary Offense. Each Florida felony is assigned a level, and higher-level felonies carry more sentencing points. This offense typically sets the tone for how severe the penalties will be in your South Florida criminal case.

🔹 Additional Offenses

If you’re charged with more than one crime, each additional offense adds points to your scoresheet. While they don’t weigh as heavily as the Primary Offense, they can still push your score high enough to trigger mandatory prison time — a common issue in Fort Lauderdale multi-count indictments.

🔹 Victim Injury Points

Injury to a victim adds significant weight:

Minor injuries may result in a small increase.
More serious injuries — especially permanent damage or death — can dramatically raise the score.
Special rules apply to sexual offenses, where even contact or penetration can trigger high injury point levels, regardless of physical harm.

🔹 Prior Convictions

Prior offenses impact your score:

Juvenile priors within 5 years can count
Felony or misdemeanor convictions from other states may count
Convictions over 10 years old may not count if there were no new offenses in between

🔹 Legal Status Violation

If you committed the new offense while:

On probation or pretrial release
Incarcerated
Escaping from custody
Out on bond …then additional points are added under the “legal status” category.

🔹 Community Sanction Violations

Violating probation, house arrest, or diversion results in:

6 points for technical violations or misdemeanors
12 points for new felonies
Additional points for prior violations, even if you were reinstated

If you’ve had multiple VOPs, your scoresheet in South Florida courts could jump quickly — and understanding how to challenge that is key.

🔹 Firearm Use

If the crime involved a weapon:

18 points for a firearm
25 points for a semi-automatic or machine gun

Firearm enhancements like these are heavily pursued in South Florida violent crime prosecutions and must be aggressively contested when applicable.

🔹 Prior Serious Felonies

If you’re currently facing a serious felony and have prior serious felony convictions, the prosecutor may add 30 points to your scoresheet. This penalty often applies in habitual offender cases prosecuted in Fort Lauderdale and neighboring counties.

📌 Why the Scoresheet Matters in Fort Lauderdale Felony Cases

A single point over 44 can mean the difference between probation and state prison. Understanding your scoresheet — and working with a defense attorney who knows how to challenge point calculations — is absolutely essential to protecting your freedom in South Florida felony courtrooms.

🧑‍⚖️ Facing Felony Charges in Fort Lauderdale or South Florida? Let’s Review Your Scoresheet.

At Michael White, P.A., we defend people across Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and South Florida who are facing felony charges. We:

Analyze your scoresheet line by line
Challenge improper or inflated point assessments
Negotiate alternatives to prison where possible

📞 Call today for a free consultation. Find out how we can help you fight back — before the State scores you into prison.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Sentencing Scoresheets

🔹 What is a sentencing scoresheet in Florida?

A sentencing scoresheet is a tool used in Florida felony cases to calculate the recommended sentence based on a point system. Factors include the primary offense, additional charges, victim injuries, prior convictions, use of firearms, and whether the defendant was on probation or supervision at the time. The total score determines whether prison is mandatory.

🔹 Do all felony cases in Fort Lauderdale require a scoresheet?

Yes. If you’re facing a felony charge in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in South Florida, the State Attorney’s Office must complete a sentencing scoresheet before your case is resolved by plea or trial. Misdemeanor cases do not require scoresheets.

🔹 What happens if my scoresheet total is over 44 points?

If your total is 44 points or higher, Florida law requires the judge to impose mandatory prison unless a legal reason (such as a downward departure) applies. If you’re below 44 points, the judge has discretion to sentence you to probation or another non-prison option.

🔹 Can prior arrests affect my scoresheet?

🔹 How can a criminal defense attorney help with my scoresheet?

An experienced defense lawyer can:

Challenge improper point calculations
Argue against enhancements (e.g., firearm or serious prior felony points)
Seek a downward departure to avoid prison
Advocate for alternative sentencing

In Fort Lauderdale and South Florida courts, where prosecutors often push for maximum penalties, an aggressive defense can make a major difference.

🔹 Can a scoresheet be negotiated in a plea deal?

Yes. Scoresheets are often central to plea negotiations. A skilled attorney can use legal and factual arguments to reduce your points or seek a more favorable sentencing outcome, especially in borderline cases near the 44-point threshold.