Florida criminal charge
Use of a fraudulently obtained or false receipt in Florida
Use of a fraudulently obtained or false receipt is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 812.017. 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. § 812.017.
What is the penalty for use of a fraudulently obtained or false receipt in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 60 days (Refund request using fraudulent or false receipt — A person requests a refund of merchandise, money, or any other thing of value through the use of a fraudulently obtained receipt or false receipt.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $500 (Refund request using fraudulent or false receipt — A person requests a refund of merchandise, money, or any other thing of value through the use of a fraudulently obtained receipt or false receipt.; 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 1 year (Obtaining merchandise, money, or value using fraudulent or false receipt — A person obtains merchandise, money, or any other thing of value through the use of a fraudulently obtained receipt or false receipt.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Obtaining merchandise, money, or value using fraudulent or false receipt — A person obtains merchandise, money, or any other thing of value through the use of a fraudulently obtained receipt or false receipt.; 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 use of a fraudulently obtained or false receipt classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refund request using fraudulent or false receipt | Misdemeanor of the Second Degree | A person requests a refund of merchandise, money, or any other thing of value through the use of a fraudulently obtained receipt or false receipt. | Fla. Stat. § 812.017(1) |
| Obtaining merchandise, money, or value using fraudulent or false receipt | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | A person obtains merchandise, money, or any other thing of value through the use of a fraudulently obtained receipt or false receipt. | Fla. Stat. § 812.017(2) |
Common questions about use of a fraudulently obtained or false receipt in Florida
Is use of a fraudulently obtained or false receipt a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: use of a fraudulently obtained or false receipt ranges from a Misdemeanor of the Second Degree to a Misdemeanor of the First Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 812.017.
Refund request using fraudulent or false receipt: Misdemeanor of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 812.017(1)) · Obtaining merchandise, money, or value using fraudulent or false receipt: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 812.017(2))
What are the penalties for use of a fraudulently obtained or false receipt in Florida?
Penalties for use of a fraudulently obtained or false receipt 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 use of a fraudulently obtained or false receipt?
Use of a fraudulently obtained or false receipt is governed by Fla. Stat. § 812.017 (Use of a fraudulently obtained or false receipt).
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.