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Florida legal term

Vessel homicide in Florida Criminal Law

Current through 2026 Florida legislative session

In Florida criminal law, “Vessel homicide” 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 “Vessel homicide” mean in Florida criminal law?

“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

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.