Florida criminal charge
Criminal use of a public record or public records information; providing false information; penalties in Florida
Criminal use of a public record or public records information; providing false information; penalties is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 817.569. 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. § 817.569.
What is the penalty for criminal use of a public record or public records information; providing false information; penalties in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Criminal use of a public record or public records information — misdemeanor conduct — Applies when the conduct described in the offense is classified as a misdemeanor, punishable as a misdemeanor of the first degree.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Criminal use of a public record or public records information — misdemeanor conduct — Applies when the conduct described in the offense is classified as a misdemeanor, punishable as a misdemeanor of the first degree.; 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 (Criminal use of a public record or public records information — felony conduct — Applies when the conduct described in the offense is classified as a felony, punishable as a felony of the third degree.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Criminal use of a public record or public records information — felony conduct — Applies when the conduct described in the offense is classified as a felony, punishable as a felony of the third degree.; 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 criminal use of a public record or public records information; providing false information; penalties classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal use of a public record or public records information — misdemeanor conduct | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | Applies when the conduct described in the offense is classified as a misdemeanor, punishable as a misdemeanor of the first degree. | Fla. Stat. § 817.569(1) |
| Criminal use of a public record or public records information — felony conduct | Felony of the Third Degree | Applies when the conduct described in the offense is classified as a felony, punishable as a felony of the third degree. | Fla. Stat. § 817.569(2) |
Common questions about criminal use of a public record or public records information; providing false information; penalties in Florida
Is criminal use of a public record or public records information; providing false information; penalties a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: criminal use of a public record or public records information; providing false information; penalties ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 817.569.
Criminal use of a public record or public records information — misdemeanor conduct: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.569(1)) · Criminal use of a public record or public records information — felony conduct: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.569(2))
What are the penalties for criminal use of a public record or public records information; providing false information; penalties in Florida?
Penalties for criminal use of a public record or public records information; providing false information; penalties 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 criminal use of a public record or public records information; providing false information; penalties?
Criminal use of a public record or public records information; providing false information; penalties is governed by Fla. Stat. § 817.569 (Criminal use of a public record or public records information; providing false information; penalties).
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.