Florida statute
Fla. Stat. § 944.47 — Introduction, removal, or possession of contraband; penalty
Current through 2025 Florida Statutes
Part of Chapter 944: State Correctional System, Florida Statutes.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Fla. Stat. § 944.47
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)(a) Except through regular channels as authorized by the officer in charge of the correctional institution, it is unlawful to introduce into or upon the grounds of any state correctional institution, or to take or attempt to take or send or attempt to send therefrom, any of the following articles which are hereby declared to be contraband for the purposes of this section, to wit:1. Any written or recorded communication or any currency or coin given or transmitted, or intended to be given or transmitted, to any inmate of any state correctional institution.2. Any article of food or clothing given or transmitted, or intended to be given or transmitted, to any inmate of any state correctional institution.3. Any intoxicating beverage or beverage which causes or may cause an intoxicating effect.4. Any controlled substance as defined in s. 893.02(4), marijuana as defined in s. 381.986, hemp as defined in s. 581.217, industrial hemp as defined in s. 1004.4473, or any prescription or nonprescription drug having a hypnotic, stimulating, or depressing effect.5. Any firearm or weapon of any kind or any explosive substance.6. Any cellular telephone or other portable communication device intentionally and unlawfully introduced inside the secure perimeter of any state correctional institution without prior authorization or consent from the officer in charge of such correctional institution. As used in this subparagraph, the term “portable communication device” means any device carried, worn, or stored which is designed or intended to receive or transmit verbal or written messages, access or store data, or connect electronically to the Internet or any other electronic device and which allows communications in any form. Such devices include, but are not limited to, portable two-way pagers, hand-held radios, cellular telephones, Blackberry-type devices, personal digital assistants or PDA’s, laptop computers, or any components of these devices which are intended to be used to assemble such devices. The term also includes any new technology that is developed for similar purposes. Excluded from this definition is any device having communication capabilities which has been approved or issued by the department for investigative or institutional security purposes or for conducting other state business.7. Any vapor-generating electronic device as defined in s. 386.203, intentionally and unlawfully introduced inside the secure perimeter of any state correctional institution.(b) It is unlawful to transmit or attempt to transmit to, or cause or attempt to cause to be transmitted to or received by, any inmate of any state correctional institution any article or thing declared by this subsection to be contraband, at any place which is outside the grounds of such institution, except through regular channels as authorized by the officer in charge of such correctional institution.(c) It is unlawful for any inmate of any state correctional institution or any person while upon the grounds of any state correctional institution to be in actual or constructive possession of any article or thing declared by this section to be contraband, except as authorized by the officer in charge of such correctional institution.
(2)(a) A person who violates this section as it pertains to an article of contraband described in subparagraph (1)(a)1., subparagraph (1)(a)2., or subparagraph (1)(a)6. commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. A person who violates this section as it pertains to an article of contraband described in subparagraph (1)(a)7. commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Otherwise, a violation of this section is a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.(b) A violation of this section by an employee, as defined in s. 944.115(2)(b), who uses or attempts to use the powers, rights, privileges, duties, or position of his or her employment in the commission of the violation is ranked one level above the ranking specified in s. 921.0022 or s. 921.0023 for the offense committed.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is introduction, removal, or possession of contraband; penalty a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: introduction, removal, or possession of contraband; penalty ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 944.47.
Contraband — written/recorded communication, currency/coin, food/clothing, or cellular/portable communication device: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 944.47(2)(a)) · Contraband — vapor-generating electronic device: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 944.47(2)(a)) · Contraband — all other articles (e.g., intoxicating beverages, controlled substances, firearms/weapons/explosives): Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 944.47(2)(a))
Which Florida statute covers introduction, removal, or possession of contraband; penalty?
Introduction, removal, or possession of contraband; penalty is governed by Fla. Stat. § 944.47 (Introduction, removal, or possession of contraband; penalty).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.