Florida criminal charge
Perjury in official proceedings in Florida
Perjury in official proceedings is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 837.02. 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. § 837.02.
What is the penalty for perjury in official proceedings in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Perjury in official proceedings — general — Applies when a false statement not believed to be true is made under oath in an official proceeding regarding a material matter, except where subsection (2) applies.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Perjury in official proceedings — general — Applies when a false statement not believed to be true is made under oath in an official proceeding regarding a material matter, except where subsection (2) applies.; 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 (Perjury in official proceedings — capital felony prosecution — Applies when the false statement is made under oath in an official proceeding that relates to the prosecution of a capital felony.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Perjury in official proceedings — capital felony prosecution — Applies when the false statement is made under oath in an official proceeding that relates to the prosecution of a capital felony.; 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 perjury in official proceedings classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perjury in official proceedings — general | Felony of the Third Degree | Applies when a false statement not believed to be true is made under oath in an official proceeding regarding a material matter, except where subsection (2) applies. | Fla. Stat. § 837.02(1) |
| Perjury in official proceedings — capital felony prosecution | Felony of the Second Degree | Applies when the false statement is made under oath in an official proceeding that relates to the prosecution of a capital felony. | Fla. Stat. § 837.02(2) |
Common questions about perjury in official proceedings in Florida
Is perjury in official proceedings a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: perjury in official proceedings ranges from a Felony of the Third Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 837.02.
Perjury in official proceedings — general: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 837.02(1)) · Perjury in official proceedings — capital felony prosecution: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 837.02(2))
What are the penalties for perjury in official proceedings in Florida?
Penalties for perjury in official proceedings 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 perjury in official proceedings?
Perjury in official proceedings is governed by Fla. Stat. § 837.02 (Perjury in official proceedings).
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.