• Reformed sentencing guidelines so “life means life” and forcing criminals to serve at least 85% of their sentences
• Supports the “10-20-Life” law to put away offenders who use a gun during of a crime
• Supports the “Three Strikes Law” for mandatory prison time for repeat violent offenders
• Passed the toughest penalties in the nation for those who prey on our children
• Heralded the lowest crime rate in 34 years, the lowest violent crime rate in 26 years and a violent-gun crime rate that has dropped 30% since 1998

Not long ago, Florida had the highest crime rate in its history and a justice system where criminals only served a fraction of their sentences. Jeff knew that in order to reduce crime and make Florida a safer place to live, work and visit we had to get tough on crime.

Hard Time, Long Sentences and Real Consequences

“This state has to send a message to criminals, from the lowest level street gang members to murders and child molesters: you’re going to jail, you’re going there to stay and you’re not going to like it,” says Atwater. “Life should mean life. A sentence for 20 years shouldn’t end in 5. Serving 85% of their term is the least amount of time criminals can expect to face.”

Atwater has also been a vocal advocate of both the “10-20-Life” law concerning the use of firearms in the commission of a crime and of the “Three Strikes” law for repeat violent offenders. “There are some criminals you can never reform, never educate and never release again. We can start to break the cycle of crime if we will let criminals know there are serious, hard consequences to their behavior,” says Atwater.

Protecting the Most Vulnerable

The senseless murders of Carlie Brucia and Jessica Lunsford led Jeff Atwater to support and pass the toughest penalties in the nation for those who prey on children. In 2005 the Legislature successfully passed the Jessica Lunsford Act, mandating lifetime imprisonment, or lifetime supervision with electronic monitoring for those convicted of sexual crimes against a child under 12 years.

Results Matter

Jeff Atwater recognizes that merely studying criminal behavior and discussing why criminals re-offend would not solve the problem. “Florida is safer today than at any time in decades,” says Atwater. “We’ve still got much more work to do, but its a job I’m proud to take on.”

His work speaks for itself: Florida is experiencing the lowest crime rate in 34 years, the lowest violent crime rate in 26 years and a violent-gun crime rate that has dropped 30% since 1998.