Could mask mandates give criminals lighter punishment?
Under Florida law, wearing a mask during the commission of a crime to conceal oneโs identity can increase the potential punishment, in some cases doubling or tripling the maximum prison sentence. That potential sentence can double to 30 years in prison if prosecutors reclassify the offense to a first-degree felony due to the defendant wearing a mask. โThe key component of this law is that the defendant must be using that mask, hood, or other device to attempt to conceal their identity,โ Kramer said. โ(The) normalization of face coverings does not impact our duties and responsibilities as prosecutors,โ a state attorney spokesperson said in a statement. A spokesperson for Phil Archer, the state attorney for Seminole and Brevard counties, indicated his office would also reclassify offenses in appropriate cases despite Seminole Countyโs face covering mandate.