Florida criminal charge
The Florida Sexual Predators Act in Florida
The Florida Sexual Predators Act is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 775.21. 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. § 775.21.
How is the florida sexual predators act classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to register or comply with registration requirements | Felony of the Third Degree | A sexual predator who fails to register, fails to maintain/renew required license or ID, fails to report required changes in information, fails to reregister, fails to respond to address verification, knowingly provides false registration information, or otherwise fails to comply with the registration requirements of this section commits this offense, with each instance a separate offense. | Fla. Stat. § 775.21(10)(a) |
| Working with children after qualifying conviction | Felony of the Third Degree | A sexual predator previously convicted of specified sexual offenses against a minor who works, for compensation or as a volunteer, at a business, school, child care facility, park, playground, or other place where children regularly congregate commits this offense. | Fla. Stat. § 775.21(10)(b) |
| Failure to report after indicating intent to remain in state after reporting intended move | Felony of the Second Degree | A sexual predator who reports intent to establish residence in another state, jurisdiction, or to travel internationally, but remains in Florida without reporting that intent to remain as required, commits this offense. | Fla. Stat. § 775.21(6)(j) |
| Failure to report presence after indicating intent to vacate but remaining at residence | Felony of the Second Degree | A sexual predator who reports an intent to vacate a residence but remains there and fails to make the follow-up report confirming his or her continued presence at that residence commits this offense. | Fla. Stat. § 775.21(6)(g)3. |
| Misuse of public registry information | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | A person who misuses public sexual predator/offender registry information to secure payment, knowingly distributes false information misrepresented as public records, or materially alters public records information with intent to misrepresent it commits this offense. | Fla. Stat. § 775.21(10)(d) |
| Assisting a noncompliant sexual predator elude law enforcement | Felony of the Third Degree | A person who, believing a sexual predator is noncompliant with registration requirements and intending to help the predator evade law enforcement seeking to locate or arrest him or her, withholds information, harbors or conceals the predator, or provides false information to law enforcement commits this offense, unless the predator is incarcerated or in custody. | Fla. Stat. § 775.21(10)(g) |
Common questions about the florida sexual predators act in Florida
Is the Florida Sexual Predators Act a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: the Florida Sexual Predators Act ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 775.21.
Failure to register or comply with registration requirements: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 775.21(10)(a)) · Working with children after qualifying conviction: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 775.21(10)(b)) · Failure to report after indicating intent to remain in state after reporting intended move: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 775.21(6)(j)) · Failure to report presence after indicating intent to vacate but remaining at residence: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 775.21(6)(g)3.) · Misuse of public registry information: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 775.21(10)(d)) · Assisting a noncompliant sexual predator elude law enforcement: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 775.21(10)(g))
Which Florida statute covers the Florida Sexual Predators Act?
The Florida Sexual Predators Act is governed by Fla. Stat. § 775.21 (The Florida Sexual Predators Act).
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.