Pubdate: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 Source: Florida Times-Union (FL) Copyright: 2011 The Florida Times-Union Contact: http://www.jacksonville.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/155 Author: Kevin Monahan MANDATORY SENTENCES Not Always Sensible I was recently assigned to review a case for possible appellate issues. The case involved a 60-year-old man who was caught selling some of his Lortabs to an undercover officer. The sale consisted of 25 pills in exchange for $100. The pills weighed 16.2 grams. Under Florida law, any sale of pills in excess of 14 grams carries with it a mandatory sentence of at least 15 years with no gain time or early release permitted. The cost for imprisoning this man for 15 years will exceed $400,000. Thought you would like to know where your money goes. Kevin Monahan, attorney, Palatka - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart