Florida criminal charge
False statements to merchants as to financial condition in Florida
False statements to merchants as to financial condition is a Misdemeanor of the First Degree under Florida criminal law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 817.05. As a Misdemeanor of the First 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. § 817.05.
What is the penalty for false statements to merchants as to financial condition in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (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 false statements to merchants as to financial condition in Florida
Is false statements to merchants as to financial condition a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
False statements to merchants as to financial condition is a Misdemeanor of the First Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 817.05.
What are the penalties for false statements to merchants as to financial condition in Florida?
As a Misdemeanor of the First Degree, false statements to merchants as to financial condition carries up to 1 year (statutory maximum; the Criminal Punishment Code scoresheet (s. 921.0024) sets the lowest permissible sentence) of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000 (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 false statements to merchants as to financial condition?
False statements to merchants as to financial condition is governed by Fla. Stat. § 817.05 (False statements to merchants as to financial condition).
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.