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Florida legal term

Retail theft in Florida Criminal Law

Current through 2026 Florida legislative session

In Florida criminal law, “Retail theft” 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 “Retail theft” mean in Florida criminal law?

“Retail theft” means the taking possession of or carrying away of merchandise, property, money, or negotiable documents; altering or removing a label, universal product code, or price tag; transferring merchandise from one container to another; or removing a shopping cart, with intent to deprive the merchant of possession, use, benefit, or full retail value.(j) “Social media platform” has the same meaning as provided in s. 501.2041(1).(k) “Transit agency” means any state agency, political subdivision of the state, or municipality which operates mass transit vehicles.(l) “Transit fare evasion” (Fla. Stat. § 812.015)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.