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Florida statute

Fla. Stat. § 815.061 — Offenses against public utilities

Current through 2025 Florida Statutes

Part of Chapter 815: Computer-related Crimes, Florida Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Fla. Stat. § 815.061

Statutory text current through the 2025 Florida Statutes. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Florida.

Fla. Stat. § 815.061Primary source, current through the 2025 Florida Statutes
(1) As used in this section, the term “public utility” includes:(a) A public utility or electric utility as defined in s. 366.02.(b) A utility as defined in s. 367.021.(c) A natural gas transmission company as defined in s. 368.103.(d) A person, corporation, partnership, association, public agency, municipality, cooperative, gas district, or other legal entity and their lessees, trustees, or receivers, now or hereafter owning, operating, managing, or controlling gas transmission or distribution facilities or any other facility supplying or storing natural or manufactured gas or liquefied gas with air admixture or any similar gaseous substances by pipeline to or for the public within this state.(e) A separate legal entity created under s. 163.01 and composed of any of the entities described in this subsection for the purpose of providing utility services in this state, including wholesale power and electric transmission services. (2) A person may not willfully, knowingly, and without authorization:(a) Gain access to a computer, computer system, computer network, or electronic device owned, operated, or used by a public utility while knowing that such access is unauthorized.(b) Physically tamper with, insert a computer contaminant into, or otherwise transmit commands or electronic communications to a computer, computer system, computer network, or electronic device that causes a disruption in any service delivered by a public utility. (3)(a) A person who violates paragraph (2)(a) commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.(b) A person who violates paragraph (2)(b) commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is offenses against public utilities a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?

It depends on the circumstances: offenses against public utilities ranges from a Felony of the Third Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 815.061.

Unauthorized access to public utility computer system: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 815.061(3)(a)) · Tampering/disruption of public utility service via computer or electronic means: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 815.061(3)(b))

Which Florida statute covers offenses against public utilities?

Offenses against public utilities is governed by Fla. Stat. § 815.061 (Offenses against public utilities).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.