Florida legal term
Unborn child in Florida Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Florida legislative session
In Florida criminal law, “Unborn child” 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 “Unborn child” mean in Florida criminal law?
“Unborn child” has the same meaning as in s. 775.021(5)(e).(b) “Vessel homicide” means the killing of a human being, including the death of an unborn child caused by injury to the mother, by the operation of a vessel as defined in s. 327.02 by another in a reckless manner likely to cause the death of, or great bodily harm to, another. (Fla. Stat. § 782.072)
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.