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Florida's Hybrid Capital Sentencing Scheme

By Steve Hall

It's being highlighted due to the high visibility Casey Anthony case which is preparing to go to trial.UPI posts, "Case highlights Fla. death penalty law."If convicted, the jury will recommend a sentence -- either the death penalty or life in prison -- but Florida is one of only three states, along with Alabama and Delaware, that allow judges to decide against a jury, the newspaper said.In 30 states, a jury must vote unanimously to sentence someone to death. A vote of 11-1 for death in those states means a mandatory life sentence, whether the judge agrees or not.In Florida, however, an 11-1 vote for death would be a strong show of support for a death sentence and judges would normally be inclined to rule that way, experts say...continue to full post

Full post as published by StandDown Texas Project on August 17, 2010 (boomark / email).