Florida statute
Fla. Stat. § 943.686 — Unauthorized use of Department of Law Enforcement emblems or names prohibited
Current through 2025 Florida Statutes
Part of Chapter 943: Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Statutes.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Fla. Stat. § 943.686
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) Whoever, except with the written permission of the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement or as otherwise expressly authorized by the department, knowingly uses the words “Florida Department of Law Enforcement,” the initials “F.D.L.E.” or “FDLE,” or the words “Florida Capitol Police,” or any colorable imitation of such words or initials, or who uses a logo or emblem used by the department in connection with any advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, or other publication, play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, in any Internet web page or upon any product in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that such advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, or other publication, play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, Internet web page, or product is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Department of Law Enforcement commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2) A violation of this section may be enjoined upon suit by the department or the Department of Legal Affairs upon complaint filed in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is unauthorized use of Department of Law Enforcement emblems or names prohibited a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
Unauthorized use of Department of Law Enforcement emblems or names prohibited is a Misdemeanor of the First Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 943.686.
Which Florida statute covers unauthorized use of Department of Law Enforcement emblems or names prohibited?
Unauthorized use of Department of Law Enforcement emblems or names prohibited is governed by Fla. Stat. § 943.686 (Unauthorized use of Department of Law Enforcement emblems or names prohibited).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.