Florida criminal charge
Bribery in Florida
Bribery is a Felony of the Second Degree under Florida criminal law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 838.015. As a Felony of the Second Degree, it is punishable within the statutory sentencing range Florida sets for that offense class. Florida sorts criminal offenses into felonies, misdemeanors, and petty offenses, each carrying its own penalty range.
Defined by Fla. Stat. § 838.015.
What is the penalty for bribery in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 15 years (no statutory minimum) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
Applies to current (2025 Florida Statutes).
Common questions about bribery in Florida
Is bribery a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
Bribery is a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 838.015.
What are the penalties for bribery in Florida?
As a Felony of the Second Degree, bribery carries up to 15 years (statutory maximum; the Criminal Punishment Code scoresheet (s. 921.0024) sets the lowest permissible sentence) of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000 (statutory ceiling under s. 775.083; the alternatives in s. 775.083(1)(f)-(g) may exceed it) under Fla. Stat. § 775.082 (current (2025 Florida Statutes)).
Which Florida statute covers bribery?
Bribery is governed by Fla. Stat. § 838.015 (Bribery).
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.