Florida criminal charge
Traffic in or possess counterfeit credit cards in Florida
Traffic in or possess counterfeit credit cards is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 817.611. 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. § 817.611.
What is the penalty for traffic in or possess counterfeit credit cards in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 15 years (Traffic in or possess 5 to 14 counterfeit credit cards or related documents — Applies when a person traffics in, attempts to traffic in, or possesses 5 to 14 counterfeit credit cards or related documents in any 6-month period.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Traffic in or possess 5 to 14 counterfeit credit cards or related documents — Applies when a person traffics in, attempts to traffic in, or possesses 5 to 14 counterfeit credit cards or related documents in any 6-month period.; 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 15 years (Traffic in or possess 15 to 49 counterfeit credit cards or related documents — Applies when a person traffics in, attempts to traffic in, or possesses 15 to 49 counterfeit credit cards or related documents in any 6-month period.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Traffic in or possess 15 to 49 counterfeit credit cards or related documents — Applies when a person traffics in, attempts to traffic in, or possesses 15 to 49 counterfeit credit cards or related documents in any 6-month period.; 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 30 years (Traffic in or possess 50 or more counterfeit credit cards or related documents — Applies when a person traffics in, attempts to traffic in, or possesses 50 or more counterfeit credit cards or related documents in any 6-month period.; 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 (Traffic in or possess 50 or more counterfeit credit cards or related documents — Applies when a person traffics in, attempts to traffic in, or possesses 50 or more counterfeit credit cards or related documents in any 6-month period.; 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 traffic in or possess counterfeit credit cards classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic in or possess 5 to 14 counterfeit credit cards or related documents | Felony of the Second Degree | Applies when a person traffics in, attempts to traffic in, or possesses 5 to 14 counterfeit credit cards or related documents in any 6-month period. | Fla. Stat. § 817.611(2)(a) |
| Traffic in or possess 15 to 49 counterfeit credit cards or related documents | Felony of the Second Degree | Applies when a person traffics in, attempts to traffic in, or possesses 15 to 49 counterfeit credit cards or related documents in any 6-month period. | Fla. Stat. § 817.611(2)(b) |
| Traffic in or possess 50 or more counterfeit credit cards or related documents | Felony of the First Degree | Applies when a person traffics in, attempts to traffic in, or possesses 50 or more counterfeit credit cards or related documents in any 6-month period. | Fla. Stat. § 817.611(2)(c) |
Common questions about traffic in or possess counterfeit credit cards in Florida
Is traffic in or possess counterfeit credit cards a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: traffic in or possess counterfeit credit cards ranges from a Felony of the Second Degree to a Felony of the First Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 817.611.
Traffic in or possess 5 to 14 counterfeit credit cards or related documents: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.611(2)(a)) · Traffic in or possess 15 to 49 counterfeit credit cards or related documents: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.611(2)(b)) · Traffic in or possess 50 or more counterfeit credit cards or related documents: Felony of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 817.611(2)(c))
What are the penalties for traffic in or possess counterfeit credit cards in Florida?
Penalties for traffic in or possess counterfeit credit cards in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Felony of the Second Degree up to a Felony 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 traffic in or possess counterfeit credit cards?
Traffic in or possess counterfeit credit cards is governed by Fla. Stat. § 817.611 (Traffic in or possess counterfeit credit cards).
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.