Florida criminal charge
False personation in Florida
False personation is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 843.08. 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. § 843.08.
What is the penalty for false personation in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Basic false personation — A person falsely assumes or pretends to be one of the enumerated officers/officials and acts as such or requires another to assist, without commission of a felony.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Basic false personation — A person falsely assumes or pretends to be one of the enumerated officers/officials and acts as such or requires another to assist, without commission of a felony.; 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 15 years (False personation during commission of a felony — The false personation occurs during the course of the commission of a felony.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (False personation during commission of a felony — The false personation occurs during the course of the commission of a felony.; 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 30 years (False personation felony resulting in death or injury — The felony committed during the false personation results in death or personal injury to another human being.; when specifically provided by statute, a term of years not exceeding life imprisonment (s. 775.082(3)(b)1.)) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (False personation felony resulting in death or injury — The felony committed during the false personation results in death or personal injury to another human being.; 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 false personation classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic false personation | Felony of the Third Degree | A person falsely assumes or pretends to be one of the enumerated officers/officials and acts as such or requires another to assist, without commission of a felony. | Fla. Stat. § 843.08undefined |
| False personation during commission of a felony | Felony of the Second Degree | The false personation occurs during the course of the commission of a felony. | Fla. Stat. § 843.08undefined |
| False personation felony resulting in death or injury | Felony of the First Degree | The felony committed during the false personation results in death or personal injury to another human being. | Fla. Stat. § 843.08undefined |
Common questions about false personation in Florida
Is false personation a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: false personation ranges from a Felony of the Third Degree to a Felony of the First Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 843.08.
Basic false personation: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 843.08) · False personation during commission of a felony: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 843.08) · False personation felony resulting in death or injury: Felony of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 843.08)
What are the penalties for false personation in Florida?
Penalties for false personation in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Felony of the Third Degree up to a Felony of the First 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 false personation?
False personation is governed by Fla. Stat. § 843.08 (False personation).
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.