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10-20-LIFE has helped to drive down Florida's violent-gun crime rates by 30%. The state's 2004, "Index Crime" rate is now the lowest in 34 years, and the violent crime rate is the lowest in a quarter century.

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The 10-20-LIFE public information program continues. The Florida Department of Corrections, in conjunction with the Executive Office of the Governor, and the Florida Legislature continue to inform the public that Florida's tolerance for crime is over. Staff from the Department of Corrections has provided several community presentations on gun violence, and distributed materials about 10-20-LIFE.

In 1998, criminals in Florida used guns to commit 31,643 violent felonies, including 13,937 armed robberies. That year, the mandatory punishment for using a gun to commit a violent felony was only three years in prison. During his campaign for Governor in 1998, Jeb Bush proposed the toughest gun-crime law in the nation: 10-20-LIFE. Under 10-20-LIFE, a felon who used a gun to commit a crime like armed robbery would face at least 10 years in state prison.

The 1999 Florida Legislature passed sweeping legislation that provides for enhanced minimum mandatory prison terms for offenders who commit crimes with guns.

10-20-LIFE

Poster is available in English and Spanish versions and can be ordered online.

• Mandates a minimum 10 year prison term for certain felonies, or attempted felonies in which the offender possesses a firearm or destructive device
• Mandates a minimum 20 year prison term when the firearm is discharged
• Mandates a minimum 25 years to LIFE if someone is injured or killed
• Mandates a minimum 3 year prison term for possession of a firearm by a felon
• Mandates that the minimum prison term is to be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed

The Department of Corrections provides printed materials, such as: Bumper Stickers; Vinyl Window Clings; Posters in English, and Spanish; and Brochures in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, to public and private schools, businesses, and other public areas for display.

The results under 10-20-LIFE are impressive. In only six years, from 1998-2004, 10-20-LIFE has helped drive down violent gun crime rates 30 percent statewide (see Firearm Involved Violent Crimes). During the 10-20-LIFE era, armed criminals robbed a total of 10,567 fewer people and killed a total 380 fewer than they would have if these crime numbers had remained at 1998 levels. These crime decreases occurred even as Florida's population increased over 2.5 million (16.8 percent) between 1998 and 2004. Punishing criminals who use guns is making our state safer.

In addition to the Governor's 10-20-LIFE initiative, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, working with local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors created innovative anti-crime strategies such as Operation T.H.U.G.S., (Taking Hoodlums Using Guns Seriously.) T.H.U.G.S targets felons who have existing violent-crime warrants and have a history of violence. Anyone can call the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at 1-800-704-0231 toll free to report these dangerous criminals. Operation T.H.U.G.S has resulted in 540 arrests and paid substantial rewards, contributing to our lower crime rates.

Governor Bush and the Florida Legislature have worked together to adopt public-safety reforms such as 10-20-LIFE, the Three-Strike Violent Felony Offender Act, and the Habitual Juvenile Offender Accountability Act. In addition, the Governor and Legislature have invested in our state prisons to ensure that early release of prisoners is eliminated. Today, state prisoners serve over 85% of their sentences, compared with less than 50% in 1994. Tough-on-crime initiatives have successfully reversed the lenient and disastrous criminal-justice policies of the early 1990s in Florida that caused so much suffering. Thanks to the dedication of our state's law enforcement officers, correctional officers and state prosecutors who enforce tough laws like 10-20-LIFE, Florida's "Index Crime" rate was the lowest in 34 years and the violent crime rate is the lowest in a quarter century.

Additional Information:

• For Information about the 10-20-Life Program, contact your Region Office:
  • Region I - (850) 482-1381
  • Region II - (386) 496-4000
  • Region III - (352) 989-9111
  • Region IV - (954) 252-6509
  
  
  
• 10-20-LIFE Criminals Sentenced to Florida's Prisons: The Justice Impact of Governor Bush's Initiative on Armed Felons
  
  
• Overview of 10-20-LIFE law: English, Spanish