Florida criminal charge
Poisoning food or water in Florida
Poisoning food or water is a Felony of the First Degree under Florida criminal law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 859.01. As a Felony of the First Degree, it is punishable within the statutory sentencing range Florida sets for that offense class. Florida sorts criminal offenses into felonies, misdemeanors, and petty offenses, each carrying its own penalty range.
Defined by Fla. Stat. § 859.01.
What is the penalty for poisoning food or water in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (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 (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).
Common questions about poisoning food or water in Florida
Is poisoning food or water a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
Poisoning food or water is a Felony of the First Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 859.01.
What are the penalties for poisoning food or water in Florida?
As a Felony of the First Degree, poisoning food or water carries up to 30 years (statutory maximum; the Criminal Punishment Code scoresheet (s. 921.0024) sets the lowest permissible sentence) of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000 (statutory ceiling under s. 775.083; the alternatives in s. 775.083(1)(f)-(g) may exceed it) under Fla. Stat. § 775.082 (current (2025 Florida Statutes)).
Which Florida statute covers poisoning food or water?
Poisoning food or water is governed by Fla. Stat. § 859.01 (Poisoning food or water).
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.