Florida criminal charge
Stopping payment; purchase of farm or grove products in Florida
Stopping payment; purchase of farm or grove products is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 832.04. 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. § 832.04.
What is the penalty for stopping payment; purchase of farm or grove products in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Stopping payment to defraud producer ($150 or more) — Applies when the value of the farm or grove products secured for or on account of the stopped-payment check, draft, or written order is $150 or more.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Stopping payment to defraud producer ($150 or more) — Applies when the value of the farm or grove products secured for or on account of the stopped-payment check, draft, or written order is $150 or more.; 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 60 days (Stopping payment to defraud producer (less than $150) — Applies when the value of the farm or grove products secured for or on account of the stopped-payment check, draft, or written order is less than $150.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $500 (Stopping payment to defraud producer (less than $150) — Applies when the value of the farm or grove products secured for or on account of the stopped-payment check, draft, or written order is less than $150.; 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 stopping payment; purchase of farm or grove products classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stopping payment to defraud producer ($150 or more) | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | Applies when the value of the farm or grove products secured for or on account of the stopped-payment check, draft, or written order is $150 or more. | Fla. Stat. § 832.04(1) |
| Stopping payment to defraud producer (less than $150) | Misdemeanor of the Second Degree | Applies when the value of the farm or grove products secured for or on account of the stopped-payment check, draft, or written order is less than $150. | Fla. Stat. § 832.04(1) |
Common questions about stopping payment; purchase of farm or grove products in Florida
Is stopping payment; purchase of farm or grove products a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: stopping payment; purchase of farm or grove products ranges from a Misdemeanor of the Second Degree to a Misdemeanor of the First Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 832.04.
Stopping payment to defraud producer ($150 or more): Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 832.04(1)) · Stopping payment to defraud producer (less than $150): Misdemeanor of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 832.04(1))
What are the penalties for stopping payment; purchase of farm or grove products in Florida?
Penalties for stopping payment; purchase of farm or grove products in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Misdemeanor of the Second Degree up to a Misdemeanor of the First 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 stopping payment; purchase of farm or grove products?
Stopping payment; purchase of farm or grove products is governed by Fla. Stat. § 832.04 (Stopping payment; purchase of farm or grove products).
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.