Florida criminal charge
Obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud, failing to return hired vehicle, or tampering with mileage device of hired vehicle in Florida
Obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud, failing to return hired vehicle, or tampering with mileage device of hired vehicle is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 817.52. 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. § 817.52.
What is the penalty for obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud, failing to return hired vehicle, or tampering with mileage device of hired vehicle in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Obtaining vehicle by trick, false representation — Whoever, with intent to defraud the owner or lawful possessor of a motor vehicle, obtains custody of it by trick, deceit, or fraudulent or willful false representation.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Obtaining vehicle by trick, false representation — Whoever, with intent to defraud the owner or lawful possessor of a motor vehicle, obtains custody of it by trick, deceit, or fraudulent or willful false representation.; 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 (Hiring vehicle with intent to defraud — Whoever hires a motor vehicle from its owner or lawful possessor with intent to defraud them of the rental, evidenced prima facie by absconding without paying the hire.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Hiring vehicle with intent to defraud — Whoever hires a motor vehicle from its owner or lawful possessor with intent to defraud them of the rental, evidenced prima facie by absconding without paying the hire.; 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 (Failure to redeliver hired vehicle — Whoever, after hiring a motor vehicle under agreement to redeliver it, abandons or willfully refuses to redeliver it without consent and with intent to defraud.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Failure to redeliver hired vehicle — Whoever, after hiring a motor vehicle under agreement to redeliver it, abandons or willfully refuses to redeliver it without consent and with intent to defraud.; 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 60 days (Tampering with mileage device — Whoever, after hiring a motor vehicle under a mileage-based payment agreement, removes, tampers with, or interferes with the odometer or mileage device with intent to deceive as to actual distance traveled.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $500 (Tampering with mileage device — Whoever, after hiring a motor vehicle under a mileage-based payment agreement, removes, tampers with, or interferes with the odometer or mileage device with intent to deceive as to actual distance traveled.; 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 60 days (Aiding or abetting mileage device tampering — Any person who knowingly aids, abets, or assists another in tampering with a hired vehicle's mileage device is guilty as a principal in the first degree.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $500 (Aiding or abetting mileage device tampering — Any person who knowingly aids, abets, or assists another in tampering with a hired vehicle's mileage device is guilty as a principal in 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 |
Applies to current (2025 Florida Statutes).
How is obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud, failing to return hired vehicle, or tampering with mileage device of hired vehicle classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obtaining vehicle by trick, false representation | Felony of the Third Degree | Whoever, with intent to defraud the owner or lawful possessor of a motor vehicle, obtains custody of it by trick, deceit, or fraudulent or willful false representation. | Fla. Stat. § 817.52(1) |
| Hiring vehicle with intent to defraud | Felony of the Third Degree | Whoever hires a motor vehicle from its owner or lawful possessor with intent to defraud them of the rental, evidenced prima facie by absconding without paying the hire. | Fla. Stat. § 817.52(2) |
| Failure to redeliver hired vehicle | Felony of the Third Degree | Whoever, after hiring a motor vehicle under agreement to redeliver it, abandons or willfully refuses to redeliver it without consent and with intent to defraud. | Fla. Stat. § 817.52(3) |
| Tampering with mileage device | Misdemeanor of the Second Degree | Whoever, after hiring a motor vehicle under a mileage-based payment agreement, removes, tampers with, or interferes with the odometer or mileage device with intent to deceive as to actual distance traveled. | Fla. Stat. § 817.52(4) |
| Aiding or abetting mileage device tampering | Misdemeanor of the Second Degree | Any person who knowingly aids, abets, or assists another in tampering with a hired vehicle's mileage device is guilty as a principal in the first degree. | Fla. Stat. § 817.52(4) |
Common questions about obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud, failing to return hired vehicle, or tampering with mileage device of hired vehicle in Florida
Is obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud, failing to return hired vehicle, or tampering with mileage device of hired vehicle a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud, failing to return hired vehicle, or tampering with mileage device of hired vehicle ranges from a Misdemeanor of the Second Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 817.52.
Obtaining vehicle by trick, false representation: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.52(1)) · Hiring vehicle with intent to defraud: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.52(2)) · Failure to redeliver hired vehicle: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.52(3)) · Tampering with mileage device: Misdemeanor of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.52(4)) · Aiding or abetting mileage device tampering: Misdemeanor of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.52(4))
What are the penalties for obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud, failing to return hired vehicle, or tampering with mileage device of hired vehicle in Florida?
Penalties for obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud, failing to return hired vehicle, or tampering with mileage device of hired vehicle in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Misdemeanor of the Second 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 obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud, failing to return hired vehicle, or tampering with mileage device of hired vehicle?
Obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud, failing to return hired vehicle, or tampering with mileage device of hired vehicle is governed by Fla. Stat. § 817.52 (Obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud, failing to return hired vehicle, or tampering with mileage device of hired vehicle).
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.