Florida criminal charge
Searches and seizure using a drone in Florida
Searches and seizure using a drone is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 934.50. 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. § 934.50.
What is the penalty for searches and seizure using a drone in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Knowing or willful violation of drone surveillance prohibition — An individual knowingly or willfully violates paragraph (3)(b) by using a drone to conduct unauthorized surveillance of privately owned real property or its owner, tenant, occupant, invitee, or licensee without consent.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Knowing or willful violation of drone surveillance prohibition — An individual knowingly or willfully violates paragraph (3)(b) by using a drone to conduct unauthorized surveillance of privately owned real property or its owner, tenant, occupant, invitee, or licensee without consent.; 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 (Knowing or willful violation with intentional distribution of surveillance — An individual knowingly or willfully violates paragraph (3)(b) and additionally intentionally distributes the surveillance obtained in violation of that paragraph.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Knowing or willful violation with intentional distribution of surveillance — An individual knowingly or willfully violates paragraph (3)(b) and additionally intentionally distributes the surveillance obtained in violation of that paragraph.; 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 searches and seizure using a drone classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knowing or willful violation of drone surveillance prohibition | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | An individual knowingly or willfully violates paragraph (3)(b) by using a drone to conduct unauthorized surveillance of privately owned real property or its owner, tenant, occupant, invitee, or licensee without consent. | Fla. Stat. § 934.50(8)(a) |
| Knowing or willful violation with intentional distribution of surveillance | Felony of the Third Degree | An individual knowingly or willfully violates paragraph (3)(b) and additionally intentionally distributes the surveillance obtained in violation of that paragraph. | Fla. Stat. § 934.50(8)(b) |
Common questions about searches and seizure using a drone in Florida
Is searches and seizure using a drone a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: searches and seizure using a drone ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 934.50.
Knowing or willful violation of drone surveillance prohibition: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 934.50(8)(a)) · Knowing or willful violation with intentional distribution of surveillance: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 934.50(8)(b))
What are the penalties for searches and seizure using a drone in Florida?
Penalties for searches and seizure using a drone 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 searches and seizure using a drone?
Searches and seizure using a drone is governed by Fla. Stat. § 934.50 (Searches and seizure using a drone).
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.