Florida criminal charge
Fraud involving a security interest in Florida
Fraud involving a security interest is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 817.562. 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. § 817.562.
What is the penalty for fraud involving a security interest in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Fraud involving a security interest ($300 or more) — The value of the property sold, secreted, withheld, or disposed of, or the proceeds from the sale or disposition of the property, is $300 or more.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Fraud involving a security interest ($300 or more) — The value of the property sold, secreted, withheld, or disposed of, or the proceeds from the sale or disposition of the property, is $300 or more.; 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 (Fraud involving a security interest (less than $300) — The value of the property sold, secreted, withheld, or disposed of, or the proceeds obtained from the sale or disposition of the property, is less than $300.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Fraud involving a security interest (less than $300) — The value of the property sold, secreted, withheld, or disposed of, or the proceeds obtained from the sale or disposition of the property, is less than $300.; 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 fraud involving a security interest classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fraud involving a security interest ($300 or more) | Felony of the Third Degree | The value of the property sold, secreted, withheld, or disposed of, or the proceeds from the sale or disposition of the property, is $300 or more. | Fla. Stat. § 817.562(3)(a) |
| Fraud involving a security interest (less than $300) | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | The value of the property sold, secreted, withheld, or disposed of, or the proceeds obtained from the sale or disposition of the property, is less than $300. | Fla. Stat. § 817.562(3)(b) |
Common questions about fraud involving a security interest in Florida
Is fraud involving a security interest a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: fraud involving a security interest ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 817.562.
Fraud involving a security interest ($300 or more): Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.562(3)(a)) · Fraud involving a security interest (less than $300): Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.562(3)(b))
What are the penalties for fraud involving a security interest in Florida?
Penalties for fraud involving a security interest 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 fraud involving a security interest?
Fraud involving a security interest is governed by Fla. Stat. § 817.562 (Fraud involving a security interest).
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.