Florida legal term
Instrument in Florida Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Florida legislative session
In Florida criminal law, “Instrument” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Florida criminal code.
What does “Instrument” mean in Florida criminal law?
“Instrument” means any judgment, mortgage, assignment, pledge, lien, financing statement, encumbrance, deed, lease, bill of sale, agreement, mortgage, notice of claim of lien, notice of levy, promissory note, mortgage note, release, partial release or satisfaction of any of the foregoing, or any other document that relates to or attempts to restrict the ownership, transfer, or encumbrance of or claim against real or personal property, or any interest in real or personal property.(d) “Official record” means the series of instruments, regardless of how they are maintained, which a clerk of the c (Fla. Stat. § 817.535)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Advertising drugs, etc., for abortion
- Cellular telephone counterfeiting offenses
- Coin-operated vending machines and parking meters; defined; prohibited acts, penalties
- Conveying tools into jail to aid escape; forcible rescue
- Counterfeiting a payment instrument; possessing a counterfeit payment instrument; penalties
- Criminal penalties and alternative fine
- Digital voyeurism
- Falsifying records
- Florida Communications Fraud Act
- Fraudulent operation of coin-operated devices
- Giving worthless checks, drafts, and debit card orders; penalty; duty of drawee; evidence; costs; complaint form
- Making false statement to obtain property or credit or to detain real property
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.