Florida criminal charge
Offering or advertising a vaccine with intent to defraud in Florida
Offering or advertising a vaccine with intent to defraud is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 817.504. 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. § 817.504.
What is the penalty for offering or advertising a vaccine with intent to defraud in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (First offense — Applies to a first violation of the section, unless it is a second or subsequent violation.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (First offense — Applies to a first violation of the section, unless it is a second or subsequent violation.; 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 (Second or subsequent offense — Applies when a person commits a second or subsequent violation of the section.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Second or subsequent offense — Applies when a person commits a second or subsequent violation of the section.; 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 offering or advertising a vaccine with intent to defraud classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| First offense | Felony of the Third Degree | Applies to a first violation of the section, unless it is a second or subsequent violation. | Fla. Stat. § 817.504(1)(a) |
| Second or subsequent offense | Felony of the Second Degree | Applies when a person commits a second or subsequent violation of the section. | Fla. Stat. § 817.504(1)(b) |
Common questions about offering or advertising a vaccine with intent to defraud in Florida
Is offering or advertising a vaccine with intent to defraud a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: offering or advertising a vaccine with intent to defraud ranges from a Felony of the Third Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 817.504.
First offense: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.504(1)(a)) · Second or subsequent offense: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.504(1)(b))
What are the penalties for offering or advertising a vaccine with intent to defraud in Florida?
Penalties for offering or advertising a vaccine with intent to defraud in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Felony of the Third Degree up to a Felony of the Second 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 offering or advertising a vaccine with intent to defraud?
Offering or advertising a vaccine with intent to defraud is governed by Fla. Stat. § 817.504 (Offering or advertising a vaccine with intent to defraud).
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.