In most states, a "life" sentence doesn't always mean life in prison. You may be eligible for parole after serving a set number of years.
However, due to tough-on-crime legislators, life in prison in the State of Florida means life in prison. There is no such thing as parole in Florida for offenders sentenced after 1997.
Any sentence below a life term and the offender must serve a minimum 85% of that sentence. 15% gain time will be applied provided there are no disciplinary issues while the offender is in custody.
If a mandatory minimum sentence applies, the offender must serve the mandatory minimum before being eligible to receive gain time.
Many felonies are punishable by life in Florida. However, some felonies that do not ordinarily carry life terms may carry life terms if the offender qualifies for certain sentencing enhancements due to prior offenses.
The point is - life in Florida is life. There is no gain time, no parole, and no chance of early release. If you are sentenced to life, it is, in essence, a death sentence.
If you are charged with a crime that carries a potential life term and your case is in Miami-Dade or Broward, hire a criminal attorney that handles cases in both of those counties immediately.