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Florida criminal charge

Attempted felony murder in Florida

Current through 2026 Florida legislative session

Attempted felony murder is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 782.051. Its classification is not fixed: Florida assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.

Defined by Fla. Stat. § 782.051.

How is attempted felony murder classified in Florida?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Attempted felony murder
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Attempted felony murder — enumerated felony under s. 782.04(3)Felony of the First DegreePerson perpetrates or attempts to perpetrate a felony enumerated in s. 782.04(3) and commits, aids, or abets an intentional act not essential to the felony that could, but does not, cause death.Fla. Stat. § 782.051(1)
Attempted felony murder — non-enumerated felonyFelony of the First DegreePerson perpetrates or attempts to perpetrate a felony other than one enumerated in s. 782.04(3) and commits, aids, or abets an intentional act not essential to the felony that could, but does not, cause death.Fla. Stat. § 782.051(2)
Injury caused by another during enumerated felonyFelony of the Second DegreeA person is injured during the perpetration or attempted perpetration of a felony enumerated in s. 782.04(3) by someone other than the perpetrator, and the perpetrator is held liable for that injury.Fla. Stat. § 782.051(3)

Common questions about attempted felony murder in Florida

Is attempted felony murder a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?

It depends on the circumstances: attempted felony murder ranges from a Felony of the Second Degree to a Felony of the First Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 782.051.

Attempted felony murder — enumerated felony under s. 782.04(3): Felony of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 782.051(1)) · Attempted felony murder — non-enumerated felony: Felony of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 782.051(2)) · Injury caused by another during enumerated felony: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 782.051(3))

Which Florida statute covers attempted felony murder?

Attempted felony murder is governed by Fla. Stat. § 782.051 (Attempted felony murder).

Legal terms used in this law

This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.