{"id":372519,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:54","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/florida-law\/florida-capital-punishment-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-12-04T12:41:22","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T17:41:22","slug":"florida-capital-punishment-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/florida-law\/florida-capital-punishment-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Florida Capital Punishment Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Florida Capital Punishment Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Mention the death penalty<\/a>, and it can polarize people. Capital punishment has a long and controversial history in the U.S., where each state makes its laws about the death penalty. Most states, including Florida, allow capital punishment<\/a> for serious crimes.<\/p>\r\n

According to the Death Penalty Information Center, there were 294 death row inmates<\/a> in Florida as of January 2024. Despite this high number, there were only six executions in 2023. Florida uses lethal injection for its executions, but an inmate can request electrocution.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we’ll explain Florida’s death penalty laws. We will also discuss the types of crimes that carry a death sentence. Consult a Florida criminal defense attorney<\/a> immediately if you’re facing capital charges. There is no penalty greater than a sentence of death.<\/p>\r\n

Florida Death Penalty Laws and Aggravating Factors<\/h2>\r\n

According to Florida Statute \u00a7921.141<\/a>, there are several factors a jury may consider when deciding to impose the death penalty. Once the jury (or judge) finds you guilty, there will be a separate sentencing hearing.<\/p>\r\n

At this hearing, the prosecutor has the opportunity to point to the following aggravating factors:<\/p>\r\n