Florida criminal charge
Compounding felony in Florida
Compounding felony is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 843.14. 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. § 843.14.
What is the penalty for compounding felony in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Compounding felony — offense punishable by death or life imprisonment — Applies when the underlying offense of which the person had knowledge is punishable with death or by imprisonment in the state prison for life.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Compounding felony — offense punishable by death or life imprisonment — Applies when the underlying offense of which the person had knowledge is punishable with death or by imprisonment in the state prison for life.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Compounding felony — offense punishable otherwise — Applies when the underlying offense of which the person had knowledge was punishable in any other manner (not death or life imprisonment).; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Compounding felony — offense punishable otherwise — Applies when the underlying offense of which the person had knowledge was punishable in any other manner (not death or life imprisonment).; 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).
How is compounding felony classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compounding felony — offense punishable by death or life imprisonment | Felony of the Third Degree | Applies when the underlying offense of which the person had knowledge is punishable with death or by imprisonment in the state prison for life. | Fla. Stat. § 843.14undefined |
| Compounding felony — offense punishable otherwise | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | Applies when the underlying offense of which the person had knowledge was punishable in any other manner (not death or life imprisonment). | Fla. Stat. § 843.14undefined |
Common questions about compounding felony in Florida
Is compounding felony a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: compounding felony ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 843.14.
Compounding felony — offense punishable by death or life imprisonment: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 843.14) · Compounding felony — offense punishable otherwise: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 843.14)
What are the penalties for compounding felony in Florida?
Penalties for compounding felony in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree up to a Felony of the Third Degree — with the ranges set by Fla. Stat. § 775.082; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Florida statute covers compounding felony?
Compounding felony is governed by Fla. Stat. § 843.14 (Compounding felony).
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.