Florida criminal charge
Corruption by threat against public servant in Florida
Corruption by threat against public servant is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 838.021. 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. § 838.021.
What is the penalty for corruption by threat against public servant in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 15 years (Unlawful harm to public servant — Applies when the person actually unlawfully harms the public servant or a person with whose welfare the public servant is interested.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Unlawful harm to public servant — Applies when the person actually unlawfully harms the public servant or a person with whose welfare the public servant is interested.; 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 5 years (Threatened harm to public servant — Applies when the person threatens unlawful harm to the public servant or a person with whose welfare the public servant is interested, without actually carrying out the harm.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Threatened harm to public servant — Applies when the person threatens unlawful harm to the public servant or a person with whose welfare the public servant is interested, without actually carrying out the harm.; 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 corruption by threat against public servant classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlawful harm to public servant | Felony of the Second Degree | Applies when the person actually unlawfully harms the public servant or a person with whose welfare the public servant is interested. | Fla. Stat. § 838.021(3)(a) |
| Threatened harm to public servant | Felony of the Third Degree | Applies when the person threatens unlawful harm to the public servant or a person with whose welfare the public servant is interested, without actually carrying out the harm. | Fla. Stat. § 838.021(3)(b) |
Common questions about corruption by threat against public servant in Florida
Is corruption by threat against public servant a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: corruption by threat against public servant ranges from a Felony of the Third Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 838.021.
Unlawful harm to public servant: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 838.021(3)(a)) · Threatened harm to public servant: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 838.021(3)(b))
What are the penalties for corruption by threat against public servant in Florida?
Penalties for corruption by threat against public servant in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Felony of the Third Degree up to a Felony of the Second 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 corruption by threat against public servant?
Corruption by threat against public servant is governed by Fla. Stat. § 838.021 (Corruption by threat against public servant).
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.