What is the punishment level for solicitation according to Florida Statute?

In Florida, the punishment for solicitation is defined by law as being at a level just below that of the original crime that is being solicited. This means that if a person solicits someone else to commit a crime, the legal consequences they face will be less severe than if they had committed that crime themselves. The rationale behind this is that solicitation is an attempt to encourage or persuade someone else to engage in criminal activity, but the actual criminal act has not occurred, which is why the punishment is scaled down. Understanding this hierarchy in punishment helps clarify the legal system's approach to different levels of involvement in criminal activity. The distinction is critical for legal professionals and law enforcement officers as it influences charges, plea negotiations, and potential sentencing outcomes.