Florida legal term
Possess in Florida Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Florida legislative session
In Florida criminal law, “Possess” 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 “Possess” mean in Florida criminal law?
“Possess” means to have physical possession or otherwise to exercise dominion or control over tangible property.(b) “Intercept” means to electronically capture, record, reveal, or otherwise access, the signals emitted or received during the operation of a cellular telephone without the consent of the sender or receiver thereof, by means of any instrument, device, or equipment.(c) “Electronic serial number” means the unique numerical algorithm that is programmed into the microchip of each cellular telephone by the manufacturer and is vital to the successful operation and billing of the telephon (Fla. Stat. § 817.4821)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- License to carry concealed weapon or concealed firearm
- Alteration or removal of firearm serial number or possession, sale, or delivery of firearm with serial number altered or removed prohibited; penalties
- Ballistic self-propelled knives; unlawful to manufacture, sell, or possess; forfeiture; penalty
- Bump-fire stocks prohibited
- Catalytic Converter Antitheft Act
- Counterfeit controlled substance; sale, manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver
- County detention facilities; contraband articles
- Generated child pornography
- Imitation controlled substances defined; possession and distribution prohibited
- Inhalation, ingestion, possession, sale, purchase, or transfer of harmful chemical substances; penalties
- Lewd or lascivious images; penalties
- Making, possessing, throwing, projecting, placing, or discharging any destructive device or attempt so to do, felony; penalties
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.