General Discussion

MoonRiver

(36,926 posts) Sun Apr 15, 2012, 11:58 AM Apr 2012

What constitutes a "depraved mind" in Florida?

The term seems to imply insanity or mental deficiency, but I doubt that's what it means. Does it mean a "reckless disregard for life?" If so, that would fit Zimmerman perfectly, IMO, as well as the Murder II charge.
Any legal eagles out there?

5 replies

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What constitutes a "depraved mind" in Florida? (Original Post) MoonRiver Apr 2012 OP

As per Florida statutes obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #1

Thanks! MoonRiver Apr 2012 #3

Here in Florida, "depraved mind" means average. russspeakeasy Apr 2012 #2

LOL MoonRiver Apr 2012 #4

The Legislature. HooptieWagon Apr 2012 #5

obamanut2012

(26,076 posts)

1. As per Florida statutes

Reply to MoonRiver (Original post)

Sun Apr 15, 2012, 12:08 PM

Apr 2012

"Murder with a Depraved Mind

Murder with a Depraved Mind occurs when a person is killed, without any premeditated design, by an act imminently dangerous to another and evincing a depraved mind showing no regard for human life.

The primary distinction between Premeditated First Degree Murder and Second Degree Murder with a Depraved Mind is that First Degree Murder requires a specific and premeditated intent to kill."

The crime of Second Degree Murder is classified as a First Degree Felony and is assigned a Level 10 offense severity ranking under Florida's Criminal Punishment Code.

If convicted of Second Degree Murder, a judge is required to impose a minimum prison sentence of 16¾ years in prison and can impose any additional combination of the following penalties:

Up to Life in prison.
Up to Life on probation.
Up to $10,000 in fines.

On edit: a person who uses a Firearm to commit Second Degree Murder must be sentenced to a minimum-mandatory prison sentence of 25 years