Florida legal term
Sinkhole in Florida Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Florida legislative session
In Florida criminal law, “Sinkhole” 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 “Sinkhole” mean in Florida criminal law?
“Sinkhole” means a closed topographic depression or basin, generally draining underground, including, but not restricted to, a doline, limesink, or sink.(g) “Speleogen” means an erosional feature of a cave boundary, including, but not restricted to, anastomoses, scallops, rills, flutes, spongework, or pendants.(h) “Speleothem” means a natural mineral formation or deposit occurring in a cave, including, but not restricted to, a stalagmite, stalactite, helictite, anthodite, gypsum flower, gypsum needle, angel hair, soda straw, drapery, bacon, cave pearl, popcorn (coral), rimstone dam, column, or (Fla. Stat. § 810.13)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.