Florida criminal charge
Possessing or transferring device for theft of telecommunications service; concealment of destination of telecommunications service in Florida
Possessing or transferring device for theft of telecommunications service; concealment of destination of telecommunications service is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 817.482. 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. § 817.482.
What is the penalty for possessing or transferring device for theft of telecommunications service; concealment of destination of telecommunications service in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Making or possessing a telecommunications theft device / transferring such a device — Applies when a person knowingly makes or possesses, or sells, gives, transports, or otherwise transfers (or offers/advertises to do so) an instrument, apparatus, equipment, or device designed or adapted to avoid payment for telecommunications service, or related plans/instructions, under the circumstances described in paragraphs (a) and (b).; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Making or possessing a telecommunications theft device / transferring such a device — Applies when a person knowingly makes or possesses, or sells, gives, transports, or otherwise transfers (or offers/advertises to do so) an instrument, apparatus, equipment, or device designed or adapted to avoid payment for telecommunications service, or related plans/instructions, under the circumstances described in paragraphs (a) and (b).; 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 (Making or possessing a long-distance tone-duplicating device — Applies when a person makes or possesses, for the purpose of avoiding or attempting to avoid payment for long-distance telecommunication services, an electronic device capable of duplicating tones or sounds used in long-distance telecommunications.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Making or possessing a long-distance tone-duplicating device — Applies when a person makes or possesses, for the purpose of avoiding or attempting to avoid payment for long-distance telecommunication services, an electronic device capable of duplicating tones or sounds used in long-distance telecommunications.; 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 possessing or transferring device for theft of telecommunications service; concealment of destination of telecommunications service classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Making or possessing a telecommunications theft device / transferring such a device | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | Applies when a person knowingly makes or possesses, or sells, gives, transports, or otherwise transfers (or offers/advertises to do so) an instrument, apparatus, equipment, or device designed or adapted to avoid payment for telecommunications service, or related plans/instructions, under the circumstances described in paragraphs (a) and (b). | Fla. Stat. § 817.482(1) |
| Making or possessing a long-distance tone-duplicating device | Felony of the Third Degree | Applies when a person makes or possesses, for the purpose of avoiding or attempting to avoid payment for long-distance telecommunication services, an electronic device capable of duplicating tones or sounds used in long-distance telecommunications. | Fla. Stat. § 817.482(2) |
Common questions about possessing or transferring device for theft of telecommunications service; concealment of destination of telecommunications service in Florida
Is possessing or transferring device for theft of telecommunications service; concealment of destination of telecommunications service a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: possessing or transferring device for theft of telecommunications service; concealment of destination of telecommunications service ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 817.482.
Making or possessing a telecommunications theft device / transferring such a device: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.482(1)) · Making or possessing a long-distance tone-duplicating device: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.482(2))
What are the penalties for possessing or transferring device for theft of telecommunications service; concealment of destination of telecommunications service in Florida?
Penalties for possessing or transferring device for theft of telecommunications service; concealment of destination of telecommunications service in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Misdemeanor of the First 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 possessing or transferring device for theft of telecommunications service; concealment of destination of telecommunications service?
Possessing or transferring device for theft of telecommunications service; concealment of destination of telecommunications service is governed by Fla. Stat. § 817.482 (Possessing or transferring device for theft of telecommunications service; concealment of destination of telecommunications service).
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.