Florida statute
Fla. Stat. § 815.062 — Offenses against governmental entities
Current through 2025 Florida Statutes
Part of Chapter 815: Computer-related Crimes, Florida Statutes.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Fla. Stat. § 815.062
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.
(1) As used in this section, the term “governmental entity” means any official, officer, commission, board, authority, council, committee, or department of the executive, judicial, or legislative branch of state government; any state university; or any county or municipality, special district, water management district, or other political subdivision of the state.
(2) A person who willfully, knowingly, and without authorization introduces a computer contaminant that gains unauthorized access to, encrypts, modifies, or otherwise renders unavailable data, programs, or supporting documentation residing or existing within a computer, computer system, computer network, or electronic device owned or operated by a governmental entity and demands a ransom to prevent the publication of or to restore access to the data, programs, or supporting documentation or to otherwise remediate the impact of the computer contaminant commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(3) An employee or contractor of a governmental entity with access to the governmental entity’s network who willfully and knowingly aids or abets another in the commission of a violation of subsection (2) commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(4) In addition to any other penalty imposed, a person convicted of a violation of this section must pay a fine equal to twice the amount of the ransom demand. Moneys recovered under this subsection shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is offenses against governmental entities a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
Offenses against governmental entities is a Felony of the First Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 815.062.
Which Florida statute covers offenses against governmental entities?
Offenses against governmental entities is governed by Fla. Stat. § 815.062 (Offenses against governmental entities).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.