Prison Releasee Reoffender Designation
If you are accused of certain crimes after recently being released from prison you may be designated as a Prison Releasee reoffender (PRR). Prison releasee reoffenders are defendants who have previously been sentenced to prison and within 3 years of their release from incarceration commit certain felony offenses. If a defendant is found guilty of one of these designated crimes then a judge is required to sentence them to the maximum statutory sentence. It is also important to understand that defendants serving prison releasee sentences do not receive time off for good behavior and must serve every day of their sentence.
Florida Statute 775.082 lists the crimes that trigger the PRR designation:
- Treason
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Sexual battery
- Carjacking
- Home-invasion robbery
- Robbery
- Arson
- Kidnapping
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Aggravated Battery
- Aggravated stalking
- Aircraft piracy
- Unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb
- Any felony that involves the threat of physical force or violence against an individual
- Armed burglary
- Burglary of a dwelling or burglary of an occupied structure
- As well as certain weapon offenses in 790.07
- Lewd or Lascivious Conduct
- Lewd or Lascivious Molestation
- Child Abuse
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Traveling to Meet a Minor and Child Pornography Defense
It is important to hire an attorney who is well versed in all aspects of Florida’s sentencing guidelines and the criminal punishment code. Retaining an attorney early is often the best way to avoid this designation and avoid the harsh penalties.