Florida criminal charge
Offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices in Florida
Offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 815.06. 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. § 815.06.
What is the penalty for offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Base offense against computer users — Applies to a violation of subsection (2) except as otherwise provided in (3)(b) and (3)(c).) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Base offense against computer users — Applies to a violation of subsection (2) except as otherwise provided in (3)(b) and (3)(c).; 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 (Aggravated offense — damage/fraud/public service/transit disruption — Applies when a violation of subsection (2) causes at least $5,000 in damage, is committed to defraud or obtain property, interrupts a governmental operation or public service, or intentionally interrupts or accesses transit-related computer systems.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Aggravated offense — damage/fraud/public service/transit disruption — Applies when a violation of subsection (2) causes at least $5,000 in damage, is committed to defraud or obtain property, interrupts a governmental operation or public service, or intentionally interrupts or accesses transit-related computer systems.; 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 (Aggravated offense — endangerment or medical equipment disruption — Applies when a violation of subsection (2) endangers human life or disrupts a computer or device affecting medical equipment used in direct patient care.; 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 (Aggravated offense — endangerment or medical equipment disruption — Applies when a violation of subsection (2) endangers human life or disrupts a computer or device affecting medical equipment used in direct patient care.; 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 (Unauthorized modification of computer equipment/supplies — Applies when a person willfully, knowingly, and without authorization modifies equipment or supplies used or intended for use in a computer, computer system, computer network, or electronic device.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Unauthorized modification of computer equipment/supplies — Applies when a person willfully, knowingly, and without authorization modifies equipment or supplies used or intended for use in a computer, computer system, computer network, or electronic device.; 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 offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base offense against computer users | Felony of the Third Degree | Applies to a violation of subsection (2) except as otherwise provided in (3)(b) and (3)(c). | Fla. Stat. § 815.06(3)(a) |
| Aggravated offense — damage/fraud/public service/transit disruption | Felony of the Second Degree | Applies when a violation of subsection (2) causes at least $5,000 in damage, is committed to defraud or obtain property, interrupts a governmental operation or public service, or intentionally interrupts or accesses transit-related computer systems. | Fla. Stat. § 815.06(3)(b) |
| Aggravated offense — endangerment or medical equipment disruption | Felony of the First Degree | Applies when a violation of subsection (2) endangers human life or disrupts a computer or device affecting medical equipment used in direct patient care. | Fla. Stat. § 815.06(3)(c) |
| Unauthorized modification of computer equipment/supplies | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | Applies when a person willfully, knowingly, and without authorization modifies equipment or supplies used or intended for use in a computer, computer system, computer network, or electronic device. | Fla. Stat. § 815.06(4) |
Common questions about offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices in Florida
Is offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the First Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 815.06.
Base offense against computer users: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 815.06(3)(a)) · Aggravated offense — damage/fraud/public service/transit disruption: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 815.06(3)(b)) · Aggravated offense — endangerment or medical equipment disruption: Felony of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 815.06(3)(c)) · Unauthorized modification of computer equipment/supplies: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 815.06(4))
What are the penalties for offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices in Florida?
Penalties for offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Misdemeanor of the First 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 offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices?
Offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices is governed by Fla. Stat. § 815.06 (Offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices).
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.