Photo from Unsplash
Originally Posted On: https://bippermedia.com/who-is-considered-a-career-offender-in-florida/
Their past crimes are considered serious enough to warrant harsher punishments than other criminals receive. The crimes must also be in different categories (like murder, rape, and aggravated assault), not just all murder convictions. This article aims to give you a better understanding of who is considered a career offender and the associated implications.
What is a Career Offender?
According to the United States Sentencing Commission, a “career offender” is defined as the following:
A career offender is someone who commits a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense after two prior felony convictions for those crimes. The sentencing guidelines assign all career offenders to Criminal History Category (CHC) VI and to offense levels at or near the statutory maximum penalty of the offense of conviction.
Meaning of the Terms
The term “controlled substance offense” means an offense under federal or state law that prohibits the manufacture, distribution, or possession of a controlled substance.
The term “crime of violence” means an offense that has as an element to use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person or property of another and includes murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, and burglary.
The term “previous conviction” means a prior adult federal or state conviction for an offense that is:
- a crime of violence; or
- a controlled substance offense.
Characteristics of a Career Offender
The term career offender is used to describe an individual who has been convicted of multiple serious or violent offenses. Career offenders typically have lengthy criminal histories and often begin offending at a young age. They may also have difficulty following rules and complying with court-ordered conditions, such as probation or parole.
In general, career offenders are considered to be at a high risk of re-offending. As such, they often face harsher penalties than other offenders, including longer prison sentences. In some cases, career offenders may even be subject to mandatory minimum sentences.
Why Career Offenders Are Considered a High Risk to Society
Career offenders are considered a high risk to society because they have repeatedly been convicted of serious crimes. This means that they are more likely to reoffend than other criminals, and their presence in the community can pose a serious threat to public safety.
In many cases, career offenders have extensive criminal histories that include multiple violent or sexual offenses. This makes them particularly dangerous, as they may be more likely to commit these types of crimes again in the future. Additionally, career offenders often show little remorse for their previous actions and may even view themselves as above the law.
Given the high risk that career offenders pose to society, it is important for communities to take steps to protect themselves from these individuals. One way to do this is to ensure that career offenders are properly punished for their crimes. This may include lengthy prison sentences, which can help to deter them from committing new offenses. Additionally, it is important for communities to be aware of the presence of career offenders and take steps to protect themselves from these individuals.
How Career Offenders Are Sentenced
Career offenders are subject to enhanced sentencing as compared to normal offenders under the United States Sentencing Guidelines. The sentence for a career offender can be increased if the individual has been convicted of multiple felonies or if the current offense is classified as a serious violent felony. The maximum sentence that can be imposed on a career offender is life in prison.
Implications of Being Considered a Career Offender
The implications of being considered a career offender are serious and include:
- First, the sentence for a career offender is generally longer than the sentence for an individual who is not classified as a career offender.
- Second, the sentence for a career offender takes into account the fact that the individual has been convicted of multiple felonies.
- Finally, the sentence for a career offender is designed to deter future criminal activity. As such, individuals who are considered career offenders should be aware of the potential consequences of their actions.
Steps to Take if You Are Convicted as a Career Offender
When you’re released from prison, getting back into a normal routine can be difficult. You’ll need to admit that you have a problem and need help. That’s the first step toward changing your life. You’ll want to seek professional help—for example, therapy or counseling—to help address your issues.
Once you have acknowledged the problem, you will need to take steps to change your behavior. This may include attending anger management classes, getting treatment for substance abuse, or participating in other programs designed to help you change your conduct.
You will also need to make a commitment to changing your life. This means making a decision to do things differently and sticking to that decision. It will not be easy, but it is possible to turn your life around and become a productive member of society. Make sure you have a strong support network to help you along the way. With dedication and effort, you can turn your life around and lead a successful and fulfilling life.
Conclusion
If you are facing charges that could result in you being classified as a career offender, it is important to discuss your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney. An attorney can help you understand the potential implications of this designation and what options may be available to you.
At Hanlon Law, we’re happy to offer you a free consultation with an attorney to discuss your situation and find out what we can do for you. Our attorneys have years of experience handling career offender cases.
Contact us today with any questions you may have.
Hanlon Law
600 Cleveland St #1100
Clearwater, FL 33755
(727) 897-5413
https://www.criminalattorneyclearwater.net
