Florida criminal charge
Unlawful use of badges or other indicia of authority in Florida
Unlawful use of badges or other indicia of authority is a Misdemeanor of the First Degree under Florida criminal law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 843.085. As a Misdemeanor of the First Degree, it is punishable within the statutory sentencing range Florida sets for that offense class. Florida sorts criminal offenses into felonies, misdemeanors, and petty offenses, each carrying its own penalty range.
Defined by Fla. Stat. § 843.085.
What is the penalty for unlawful use of badges or other indicia of authority in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (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).
Common questions about unlawful use of badges or other indicia of authority in Florida
Is unlawful use of badges or other indicia of authority a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
What are the penalties for unlawful use of badges or other indicia of authority in Florida?
As a Misdemeanor of the First Degree, unlawful use of badges or other indicia of authority carries up to 1 year (statutory maximum; the Criminal Punishment Code scoresheet (s. 921.0024) sets the lowest permissible sentence) of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000 (statutory ceiling under s. 775.083; the alternatives in s. 775.083(1)(f)-(g) may exceed it) under Fla. Stat. § 775.082 (current (2025 Florida Statutes)).
Which Florida statute covers unlawful use of badges or other indicia of authority?
Unlawful use of badges or other indicia of authority is governed by Fla. Stat. § 843.085 (Unlawful use of badges or other indicia of authority).
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.