Florida legal term
Ombudsman in Florida Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Florida legislative session
In Florida criminal law, “Ombudsman” 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 “Ombudsman” mean in Florida criminal law?
“Ombudsman” means an individual designated and specifically trained by the department to identify conditions that may pose a threat to the rights, health, safety, and welfare of inmates in a health care facility and who may be appointed to serve as a proxy for an inmate who is physically or mentally unable to communicate a willful and knowing health care decision.(f) “Proxy” means a competent adult who has not been expressly designated to make health care decisions for a particular incapacitated inmate, but who, nevertheless, is authorized pursuant to s. 765.401 and as specified in this sectio (Fla. Stat. § 945.6402)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.