BEN LEMON, III
v.
STATE OF FLORIDA
AI-generated. These summaries, headnotes, and key points are machine-generated and may contain errors or omissions. Always verify against the full opinion text below. Not legal advice.
A life sentence is not impermissible indefinite imprisonment under the Florida Constitution.
[1] A life sentence does not constitute impermissible indefinite imprisonment under the Florida Constitution because the term 'life' is sufficiently definite to convey the Le…
Previewing 1 of 1 headnotes on this case. FLexlaw’s editorially structured points of law — every proposition, pinpointed — are reserved for members.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“The term 'life' is sufficiently definite so that it can be understood and applied.”
From Ratliff v. State, cited in support of the proposition that life sentences are not unconstitutionally indefinite.
Ben Lemon, III appealed from a judgment in the Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County. The appeal involved a challenge to a life sentence on constitution…
The full statement of facts, procedural history, and disposition for this case are member content.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence© FLexlaw, Inc. — AI-generated enrichments are proprietary. All rights reserved.
Explore caselaw by topic → Browse Indefinite Imprisonment cases and more on FLexlaw
Third District Court of Appeal State of Florida
Opinion filed May 21, 2025. Not final until disposition of timely filed motion for rehearing.
________________
No. 3D25-0535 Lower Tribunal No. F97-1116 ________________
Ben Lemon, III, Appellant,
vs.
The State of Florida, Appellee.
An Appeal under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.141(b)(2) from the Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County, Tanya Brinkley, Judge.
Ben Lemon, III, in proper person.
James Uthmeier, Attorney General, for appellee.
Before EMAS, LINDSEY and LOBREE, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
2
Affirmed. See Padgett v. State, No. 3D25-349, 2025 WL 1172840, at *1 (Fla. 3d DCA April 23, 2025) (“A life sentence is not impermissible ‘indefinite imprisonment’ under the Florida Constitution. Art. I, § 17, Fla. Const.” (citing Ratliff v. State, 914 So. 2d 938, 940 (Fla. 2005) (“Any sentence, even one of a short duration, can potentially exceed a defendant’s life span. The fact that the judicial system has no way of knowing how long the defendant will live and therefore cannot know how long the defendant will be incarcerated does not render a life sentence unconstitutionally indefinite. It is abundantly clear that the Legislature, by prescribing a sentence of life imprisonment, intends that the defendant remain in prison for the rest of his life. The term ‘life’ is sufficiently definite so that it can be understood and applied.”))) (additional citations omitted).