HVFO (Habitual Violent Felony Offender)

What is the HVFO (Habitual Violent Felony Offender) Statute?

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HVFO means Habitual Violent Felony Offender.
The HVFO (habitual violent felony offender) statute was written by the Legislature as a way to increase maximum punishment where a Defendant meets certain criteria. Click here to see some of the top Google Searches for habitual violent felony offenders.

Qualifications

To qualify under HVFO (habitual violent felony offender) the Florida Statute lays out the following guidelines:
(b) “Habitual violent felony offender” means a defendant for whom the court may impose an extended term of imprisonment, as provided in paragraph (4)(b), if it finds that:

  1. The defendant has previously been convicted of a felony or an attempt or conspiracy to commit a felony and one or more of such convictions was for:]
    1. Arson
    2. Sexual battery
    3. Robbery
    4. Kidnapping
    5. Aggravated child abuse
    6. Aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult
    7. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
    8. Murder
    9. Manslaughter
    10. Aggravated manslaughter of an elderly person or disabled adult
    11. Aggravated manslaughter of a child
    12. Unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb
    13. Armed burglary
    14. Aggravated battery
    15. Aggravated stalking
  2. The felony for which the defendant is to be sentenced was committed:
    1. While the defendant was serving a prison sentence or other sentence, or court-ordered or lawfully imposed supervision that is imposed as a result of a prior conviction for an enumerated felony;
    2. Within 5 years of the date of the conviction of the last prior enumerated felony, or within 5 years of the defendant’s release from a prison sentence, probation, community control, control release, conditional release, parole, or court-ordered or lawfully imposed supervision or other sentence that is imposed as a result of a prior conviction for an enumerated felony, whichever is later.
  3. The defendant has not received a pardon on the grounds of innocence for any crime that is necessary for the operation of this paragraph.
  4. A conviction of a crime necessary to the operation of this paragraph has not been set aside in any postconviction proceeding.

HVFO Punishment

Punishment under HVFO sets certain minimum mandatory sentences for different offense levels when they are charged under HVFO (habitual violent felony offender):

1. For a case of a life felony or a felony of the first degree, for life, such offender shall not be eligible for release for 15 years.
2. In the case of a felony of the second degree, for a term of years not exceeding 30, such offender shall not be eligible for release for 10 years.
3. A case of a felony of the third degree, for a term of years not exceeding 10, and such offender shall not be eligible for release for 5 years.

Is HVFO (habitual violent felony offender) mandatory?

HVFO is NOT fully mandatory. Specifically, if you qualify under HVFO, the State doesn’t have to file for HVFO. However, notice the mandatory language in the language once HVFO is filed and you leave punishment up to the judge (e.g. “shall not be eligible for release for…”).

If you or your loved one find themselves in a situation where you are being accused of HVFO, call us right away at 407-930-8912 to speak with a qualified legal professional or fill out the contact form on this page. We’re available 24/7, we offer free initial consultation and payment plans. In addition to our Orlando location, we have offices in the following cities across the state of Florida:

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