Florida legal term
Possession in Florida Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Florida legislative session
In Florida criminal law, “Possession” 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 “Possession” mean in Florida criminal law?
“Possession” includes temporary possession for the purpose of verification or testing, irrespective of dominion or control. (Fla. Stat. § 893.02)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- License to carry concealed weapon or concealed firearm
- Sexting; prohibited acts; penalties
- Armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon’s breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited
- Bringing into the state forged bank bills, checks, drafts, or notes
- Carrying of concealed weapons or concealed firearms
- Carrying of concealed weapons or concealed firearms without a license
- Catalytic Converter Antitheft Act
- Cellular telephone counterfeiting offenses
- Counterfeiting a payment instrument; possessing a counterfeit payment instrument; penalties
- Counterfeiting coin; having 10 or more such coins in possession with intent to utter
- Court-ordered sealing of criminal history records
- Criminal Punishment Code; offense severity ranking chart
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.