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2010 Florida Statutes
SHERIFFS
Bond of sheriffs; small counties.
—In each county of the state having a population of 150,000 or less according to the last state census, the sheriff shall give bond as required by the board of county commissioners of the county, to be filed with the clerk of the circuit court and be conditioned upon the faithful discharge of the duties of his or her office. When a sheriff is appointed to fill a vacancy, a bond may not be a prerequisite to succession in office; however, if the county commission requires a bond for the office of sheriff, the commission shall allow a period of 10 days after the effective date of the appointment in which the bond may be provided.
ss. 1, 4, ch. 3724, 1887; RS 1237; GS 1666; RGS 2871; CGL 4568; s. 1, ch. 17754, 1937; s. 1, ch. 20719, 1941; ss. 10, 12, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 171, ch. 95-147; s. 14, ch. 95-312; s. 10, ch. 98-34.
Bond of sheriffs; large counties.
—In each county in the state having a population in excess of 150,000 according to the last state census, the sheriff shall give bond as required by the board of county commissioners, to be filed with the clerk of the circuit court and be conditioned upon the faithful discharge of the duties of his or her office. When a sheriff is appointed to fill a vacancy, a bond may not be a prerequisite to succession in office; however, if the county commission requires a bond for the office of sheriff, the commission shall allow a period of 10 days after the effective date of the appointment in which the bond may be provided.
ss. 1, 4, ch. 3724, 1887; RS 1237; GS 1666; RGS 2871; CGL 4568; s. 1, ch. 17754, 1937; ss. 10, 12, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 172, ch. 95-147; s. 15, ch. 95-312; s. 11, ch. 98-34.
Obligation of sureties.
—Each surety upon such bond may bind himself or herself for a specified sum, but the aggregate amount for which the sureties may bind themselves shall not be less than the penalty of the bond.
s. 9, ch. 3724, 1887; RS 1238; GS 1667; RGS 2872; CGL 4569; s. 2, ch. 17754, 1937; s. 1, ch. 20719, 1941; s. 173, ch. 95-147.
Justification of sureties.
—Each surety upon such bond shall make an affidavit that he or she is a resident of the county for which the officer is to be commissioned, and that the surety has sufficient visible property therein, unencumbered and not exempt from sale under legal process, to make good his or her bond.
s. 10, ch. 3724, 1887; RS 1239; GS 1668; RGS 2873; CGL 4570; s. 3, ch. 17754, 1937; s. 1, ch. 20719, 1941; s. 174, ch. 95-147.
Surety companies.
—The provisions of ss. 30.01-30.04, as to number of sureties, affidavits of residence and justification of same shall not apply to solvent surety companies authorized to do business and execute bonds in this state.
s. 4, ch. 3724, 1887; RS 1237; GS 1666; RGS 2871; CGL 4568; s. 4, ch. 17754, 1937; s. 1, ch. 20719, 1941.
Liability of sureties.
—The sureties, if any, are liable for all fines and amercements imposed upon the principal, or sheriff.
s. 4, ch. 987, 1859; RS 1240; GS 1669; RGS 2874; CGL 4571; s. 1, ch. 20719, 1941; s. 12, ch. 98-34.
Deputy sheriffs.
—Sheriffs may appoint deputies to act under them who shall have the same power as the sheriff appointing them, and for the neglect and default of whom in the execution of their office the sheriff shall be responsible.
s. 4, ch. 1659, 1868; RS 1247; GS 1675; RGS 2881; CGL 4578.
Applicability and scope of act.
—This act applies to all deputy sheriffs, with the following exceptions:
Deputy sheriffs in a county that, by special act of the Legislature, local charter, ordinance, or otherwise, has established rights and procedures for deputy sheriffs which are equivalent to or greater than those prescribed by this act.
Deputy sheriffs in a county that, by special act of the Legislature, local charter, ordinance, or otherwise, has established a civil or career service system which grants collective bargaining rights for deputy sheriffs, including, but not limited to, deputy sheriffs in the following counties: Broward, Miami-Dade, Duval, Escambia, and Volusia.
Special deputy sheriffs appointed under s. 30.09(4).
Members of a sheriff’s posse or reserve unit.
Part-time deputy sheriffs.
This act does not grant to deputy sheriffs the right of collective bargaining.
This act does not change the alter ego relationship which exists between a deputy sheriff and the appointing sheriff.
s. 2, ch. 94-143; s. 10, ch. 2008-4.
Definitions.
—As used in this act, the term:
“Actual, continuous service” means the time during which a deputy sheriff performs the duties and responsibilities of the position to which she or he is appointed.
“Deputy sheriff” means a law enforcement officer appointed by the sheriff and certified under chapter 943. The term does not include a person who performs managerial, confidential, or policymaking duties. Managerial, confidential, and policymaking appointees who are not covered by this act include the undersheriff, chief deputy, director, legal advisor, sheriff’s personal secretary or administrative assistant, or members of the sheriff’s personal staff who report to or work under the direct supervision of the sheriff or who assist the sheriff in the formulation of general or special orders or in the preparation of the fiscal year budget, or appointees whose duties primarily involve the management or operation of the sheriff’s office or a department or subdivision of that office.
“Probation” means a period of actual, continuous service following initial employment or following a promotion from a regular appointment.
“Regular appointment” means the employment status of a deputy sheriff who has satisfactorily completed probation.
“Sheriff” means the constitutional officer elected in accordance with this chapter.
s. 3, ch. 94-143; s. 1325, ch. 95-147.
Appointment; probation; regular appointment.
—A sheriff has exclusive power to appoint a deputy sheriff. However, a person may not be appointed as a deputy sheriff unless the person meets all qualifications set out in the Florida Statutes.
A person’s appointment as a deputy sheriff is not a regular appointment until the person has satisfactorily completed 12 consecutive months of probation.
A deputy sheriff’s promotion to a higher rank within the agency is not a regular appointment to that rank until the deputy sheriff has satisfactorily completed 6 consecutive months of probation.
If a deputy sheriff is unable to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position to which he or she is appointed or promoted due to a nonservice-connected disability or other justifiable cause, the period of probation may be extended by the amount of time the deputy sheriff is unable to perform his or her duties.
At any time, the sheriff may terminate, with or without cause, the appointment or promotion of a deputy sheriff who has not completed probation.
An appointment is terminated upon the receipt by the deputy sheriff of written notice, signed by the sheriff, advising the deputy sheriff of his or her termination from appointment.
A promotion is terminated upon the receipt by the deputy sheriff of a written notice, signed by the sheriff, advising the deputy sheriff of his or her return to his or her previous regular appointment.
A deputy sheriff who satisfactorily completes probation is considered regularly appointed to his or her position and is entitled to all the rights and privileges set forth in this act.
A deputy sheriff covered by ss. 30.071-30.079, other than the undersheriff or chief deputy, who is regularly appointed to his or her position may not be terminated for lawful off-duty political activity or for a discriminatory reason.
s. 4, ch. 94-143; s. 1326, ch. 95-147; s. 1, ch. 95-155.
Regular appointee status.
—When a deputy sheriff to whom the provisions of this act apply has served for a period of 1 calendar year, such deputy sheriff shall have attained regular deputy status in the office of the sheriff. Any deputy who is required to serve a probationary period attendant to a promotion shall retain regular status in the office of the sheriff, but may be returned to his or her prior rank during such probationary period without the right of appeal.
s. 5, ch. 94-143; s. 1327, ch. 95-147.
Review boards.
—Each sheriff shall establish a review board to review, pursuant to appeals taken under ss. 30.071-30.079, terminations taken by the sheriff against regularly appointed deputy sheriffs for lawful off-duty political activity or for discriminatory reasons.
Each member of a review board shall be selected on the basis of fairness, objectivity, and impartiality. The board shall have no investigative powers and shall function in the capacity of a fact finder in an effort to arrive at a fair and equitable recommendation in all matters brought before it. A member shall not be involved in the issue under consideration. Membership on the board is voluntary and without remuneration. Members may not discuss matters to be heard before the board until the board convenes.
A review board may receive verbal or written testimony concerning any matter considered relevant by the board and may receive any records, including, but not limited to, performance evaluations and disciplinary files.
The review board of an agency having 150 or more deputy sheriffs shall be comprised of:
Two members selected by the sheriff from among the certified law enforcement officers within the sheriff’s jurisdiction.
Two members selected by the deputy sheriff who is appealing the termination action from among the certified law enforcement officers within the sheriff’s jurisdiction.
One member selected by the other members of the board and acting as the chairperson of the board.
If an impartial local chairperson cannot be agreed upon within 10 working days after the appeal is submitted, then the parties shall jointly request the American Arbitration Association to furnish a panel of seven names from which each party shall have the option, within 5 days of receipt, of striking three names in alternating fashion. The seventh or remaining name shall be the chairperson. The parties shall jointly notify the arbitrator of his or her selection. Either party may object to all names on the list, provided the objection is made prior to the commencement of the striking process. If this occurs, the objecting party may request the American Arbitration Association to furnish another list of arbitrators. No more than two lists may be requested. The costs of the arbitrator shall be shared by both parties.
The review board of an agency having fewer than 150 deputy sheriffs shall be comprised of:
One member selected by the sheriff from among the certified law enforcement officers within the sheriff’s jurisdiction.
One member selected by the deputy sheriff who is appealing the termination from among the certified law enforcement officers within the sheriff’s jurisdiction.
One member selected by the other members of the board and acting as the chairperson of the board.
The chairperson of a review board shall:
Conduct each meeting using parliamentary rules of order.
Request that the deputy sheriff who is appealing provide the names of his or her witnesses, if any.
Schedule and provide written notice of each meeting to the Internal Affairs Bureau, witnesses, board members, and deputies.
Provide copies of all charges to the board members.
The scope of the review board is limited to terminations.
s. 6, ch. 94-143; s. 1328, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 95-155.
Appeal.
—The sheriff may not terminate a regularly appointed deputy sheriff for exercising lawful off-duty political rights.
The review board shall be utilized to make the determination as to whether or not the termination of a deputy sheriff was politically or discriminatorily motivated.
A deputy sheriff must make a request for a hearing in writing to the deputy sheriff’s immediate supervisor within 10 working days after the deputy sheriff receives notice of termination for off-duty political activity. The request must contain a brief statement of the matters to be considered by the review board and the names of the two law enforcement officers selected to serve on the board.
The immediate supervisor shall forward the request for hearing to the sheriff and the appropriate division commander without delay. The review board shall be empaneled and a hearing date scheduled within 10 working days of receipt. The rules of evidence applicable to administrative hearings under chapter 120 apply to the hearing.
The sheriff has the burden of proving the appropriateness of the termination by the preponderance of evidence. The sheriff or the sheriff’s appointed representative must present evidence in support of the termination.
The deputy sheriff has the right to be present, to present his or her case, to explain or defend his or her position, and to cross-examine each witness or complainant.
The deputy sheriff has the right to be represented during the hearing by counsel or other representative of choice.
The deputy sheriff shall not discuss the matter before the review board except through its chairperson.
The sheriff may offer rebuttal evidence, and the review board may hear argument from both parties in support of the evidence presented.
The chairperson of the review board shall, through the appropriate chain of command, give written notice to each witness of the date, time, and place of the hearing.
The review board shall confine its deliberation to the evidence presented. The board shall have 10 working days within which to make its findings. The findings of the board are binding on the parties. If the board finds that action on appeal is justified, it may recommend an alternative action.
A decision of the review board must be made by a majority vote of its members.
Each complaint shall receive a separate finding and recommendation by a majority of the review board. Each finding shall take into consideration the seriousness of the complaint, any extenuating circumstances, and the tenure and past conduct record of the deputy sheriff. The board shall submit to the sheriff its written findings of fact and recommendations within 10 working days after the hearing.
The sheriff shall notify the deputy sheriff of the final recommendations of the review board and the reasons therefor.
If the sheriff’s action on appeal is not sustained, the deputy sheriff shall be reinstated without prejudice or penalty.
All proceedings of the review board shall be recorded and retained by the Internal Affairs Bureau. Rest periods shall be duly noted and there shall be no unrecorded questions or statements by a party or witness. Recordings shall be properly marked and identified before filing.
s. 7, ch. 94-143; s. 1329, ch. 95-147; s. 3, ch. 95-155.
Conduct of hearing.
—A review board shall determine the truth while maintaining an atmosphere of fundamental fairness.
s. 8, ch. 94-143.
Continuation of appointment after a change in sheriff.
—When a newly elected or appointed sheriff assumes office, the incoming sheriff may not terminate the employment of any deputy sheriff covered by ss. 30.071-30.079 for lawful off-duty political activity or for a discriminatory reason. The incoming sheriff may replace deputy sheriffs assigned to managerial, confidential, or policymaking positions or part-time deputy sheriffs.
s. 9, ch. 94-143; s. 4, ch. 95-155.
Effects of act; no property interest or expectancy in office; sheriff’s authority.
—The provisions of this act shall not be construed to provide deputy sheriffs with a property interest or expectancy of continued appointment as a deputy sheriff, nor shall these provisions serve as a limitation of the sheriff’s authority as a constitutional officer to determine unilaterally the purpose of the office or department, to such standards of service to be offered to the public, and to exercise control and discretion over the organization and operations of the sheriff’s office or department.
s. 10, ch. 94-143.
Qualification of deputies; special deputies.
—BOND, SURETIES, PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES.—
Each deputy sheriff who is appointed shall give bond as required by the board of county commissioners. The amount of the bond and the bond must be approved by the board of county commissioners. The bond must be filed with the clerk of the circuit court and be conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of his or her office. A deputy sheriff may not perform any services as deputy until he or she subscribes to the oath prescribed for sheriffs. Sureties are liable for all fines and amercements imposed upon their principal.
The board of county commissioners of any county may accept a blanket surety bond issued by a solvent surety company authorized to do business in this state, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of the deputy sheriffs appointed by a sheriff, in a sum to be fixed by the board of county commissioners. If such a blanket surety bond is accepted, individual surety bonds for each deputy sheriff are not necessary. The cost of the blanket bond must be paid by the appropriate sheriff’s department. Sureties are liable for all fines and amercements imposed upon their principals under the provisions of the blanket bond.
SURETY COMPANIES.—The requisite of two sureties and justification of same does not apply when surety is by a solvent surety company authorized to do business in this state.
LIABILITY OF SHERIFF.—The giving of such bond by a deputy does not relieve the sheriff of the liability for the acts of his or her deputies.
EXCEPTIONS.—This section does not apply to the appointment of special deputy sheriffs appointed by the sheriff:
To attend elections on election days.
To perform undercover investigative work.
For specific guard or police duties in connection with public sporting or entertainment events, not to exceed 30 days; or for watch or guard duties, when serving in such capacity at specified locations or areas only.
For special and temporary duties, without power of arrest, in connection with guarding or transporting prisoners.
To aid in preserving law and order, or to give necessary assistance in the event of any threatened or actual hurricane, fire, flood, or other natural disaster, or in the event of any major tragedy such as an act of local terrorism or a national terrorism alert, an airplane crash, a train or automobile wreck, or a similar accident.
To raise the power of the county, by calling bystanders or others, to assist in quelling a riot or any breach of the peace, when ordered by the sheriff or an authorized general deputy.
To serve as a parking enforcement specialist pursuant to s. 316.640(2).
The appointment of a special deputy sheriff in any such circumstance, except with respect to paragraph (g), may be made with full powers of arrest when the sheriff considers such appointment reasonable and necessary in the execution of the duties of his or her office. Except under circumstances described in paragraphs (a), (e), (f), and (g), the appointees must possess at least the minimum requirements established for law enforcement officers by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. The appointment of any such special deputy sheriff must be recorded in a register maintained for such purpose in the sheriff’s office, showing the terms and circumstances of such appointment.
REMOVAL FOR VIOLATION.—A violation of this section subjects the offender to removal by the Governor.
ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, ch. 6478, 1913; RGS 2883; CGL 4580; s. 2, ch. 22790, 1945; s. 1, ch. 57-93; s. 1, ch. 72-307; s. 1, ch. 75-100; s. 1, ch. 79-246; s. 14, ch. 79-400; s. 3, ch. 83-167; s. 5, ch. 87-224; s. 175, ch. 95-147; s. 13, ch. 98-34; s. 1, ch. 2002-193.
Place of office.
—The place of office of every sheriff shall be at the county seat of the county.
s. 3, Feb. 12, 1834; RS 1248; GS 1676; RGS 2884; CGL 4581.
Power to appoint sheriff.
—Whenever any sheriff in the state shall fail to attend, in person or by deputy, any term of the circuit court or county court of the county, from sickness, death, or other cause, the judge attending said court may appoint a sheriff, who shall assume all the responsibilities, perform all the duties, and receive the same compensation as if he or she had been duly appointed sheriff, for said term of court and no longer.
s. 1, ch. 1394, 1863; RS 1243; GS 1672; RGS 2877; CGL 4574; s. 3, ch. 22790, 1945; s. 4, ch. 73-334; s. 177, ch. 95-147.
Succession of office.
—Upon the expiration of the term of office, the sheriff shall deliver to his or her successor in office, taking a receipt for the same, the following:
All such writs and processes as shall remain in his or her hands unexecuted; and
All persons who are held in confinement by legal process, with the warrants, indictments, or causes of such confinement.
Upon the death of any sheriff, the executors, administrators, or other representatives shall deliver by hand, taking a receipt for the same, all papers and documents which relate to official duties and which were in the possession of and belonging to such decedent as sheriff.
If the successor as sheriff should not be qualified in due time to serve or execute the process of the court, the chief deputy of such deceased sheriff shall be appointed by an order from the judge of the circuit court to fulfill the responsibilities and requirements of subsection (1) until such time as a successor is qualified.
The succeeding sheriff, or the chief deputy pursuant to paragraph (2)(b), shall sell and carry into effect any levy made by a predecessor in office in like manner as the former sheriff could have done had he or she continued therein, and shall make titles to the purchaser for all the property sold under execution or other process and not conveyed by any predecessor.
In any case in which an incumbent sheriff neglects or refuses to turn over such process in the manner aforesaid, such person shall be liable to make such satisfaction by damage and costs to the party aggrieved as he or she shall sustain by reason of such neglect or refusal.
s. 16, Nov. 23, 1828; RS 1254; GS 1682; RGS 2890; CGL 4587; s. 7, ch. 22858, 1945; s. 1, ch. 87-288; s. 178, ch. 95-147.
Powers, duties, and obligations.
—Sheriffs, in their respective counties, in person or by deputy, shall:
Execute all process of the Supreme Court, circuit courts, county courts, and boards of county commissioners of this state, to be executed in their counties.
Execute such other writs, processes, warrants, and other papers directed to them, as may come to their hands to be executed in their counties.
Attend all terms of the circuit court and county court held in their counties.
Execute all orders of the boards of county commissioners of their counties, for which services they shall receive such compensation, out of the county treasury, as said boards may deem proper.
Be conservators of the peace in their counties.
Suppress tumults, riots, and unlawful assemblies in their counties with force and strong hand when necessary.
Apprehend, without warrant, any person disturbing the peace, and carry that person before the proper judicial officer, that further proceedings may be had against him or her according to law.
Have authority to raise the power of the county and command any person to assist them, when necessary, in the execution of the duties of their office; and, whoever, not being physically incompetent, refuses or neglects to render such assistance, shall be punished by imprisonment in jail not exceeding 1 year, or by fine not exceeding $500.
Be, ex officio, timber agents for their counties.
Perform such other duties as may be imposed upon them by law.
Sheriffs, in their respective counties, in person or by deputy, shall, at the will of the board of county commissioners, attend, in person or by deputy, all meetings of the boards of county commissioners of their counties, for which services they shall receive such compensation, out of the county treasury, as said boards may deem proper.
On or before January 1, 2002, every sheriff shall incorporate an antiracial or other antidiscriminatory profiling policy into the sheriff’s policies and practices, utilizing the Florida Police Chiefs Association Model Policy as a guide. Antiprofiling policies shall include the elements of definitions, traffic stop procedures, community education and awareness efforts, and policies for the handling of complaints from the public.
s. 14, ch. 4, 1845; ss. 1, 4, ch. 157, 1848; s. 9, ch. 1626, 1868; ss. 1, 2, ch. 1659, 1868; RS 650, 651, 653, 1241, 1242, 2583; GS 991, 992, 994, 1670, 1671, 3503; RGS 1804, 1805, 1807, 2875, 2876, 5388; CGL 2856, 2857, 2859, 4572, 4573, 7527; s. 4, ch. 22790, 1945; s. 4, ch. 73-334; s. 1, ch. 91-95; s. 179, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 2001-264.
Former ss. 144.01-144.03, 30.16.
False return.
—For every false return, the sheriff shall forfeit and pay $500, one moiety thereof to the party aggrieved, and the other moiety to him or her who will sue for the same, to be recovered with costs by action of debt; and the said sheriff shall be further liable to an action of the party aggrieved.
s. 2, ch. 997, 1859; RS 1251; GS 1679; RGS 2887; CGL 4584; s. 181, ch. 95-147.
Failure to pay over money.
—If any sheriff fails to collect or pay over fines, fees, costs, or other moneys adjudged to the state which he or she has been by proper process directed to collect, the sheriff forfeits his or her commissions and also is liable for a fine of $50, to be recovered by motion before the circuit court, after 10 days’ notice, and the sheriff’s sureties, if any, are also liable for the amount of such moneys upon his or her bond as sheriff.
s. 9, ch. 217, 1849; RS 1252; GS 1680; RGS 2888; CGL 4585; s. 182, ch. 95-147; s. 14, ch. 98-34.
When sheriff may accept service.
—Sheriffs, when sued in their official capacity, may accept service, and when so sued with others may serve their codefendants and receive the fees allowed by law, except no fees shall be allowed for acceptance of service.
s. 1, ch. 4411, 1895; GS 1674; RGS 2879; CGL 4576; s. 6, ch. 22790, 1945.
Sheriffs’ fees for service of summons, subpoenas, and executions.
—The sheriffs of all counties of the state in civil cases shall charge fixed, nonrefundable fees for docketing and service of process, according to the following schedule:
All summons or writs except executions: $40 for each summons or writ to be served, except when more than one summons or writ is issued at the same time out of the same cause of action to be served upon one person or defendant at the same time, in which case the sheriff shall be entitled to one fee.
All writs except executions requiring a levy or seizure of property: $50 in addition to the $40 fee as stated in paragraph (a).
Witness subpoenas: $40 for each witness to be served.
Executions:
Forty dollars for docketing and indexing each writ of execution, regardless of the number of persons involved.
Fifty dollars for each levy.
A levy is considered made when any property or any portion of the property listed or unlisted in the instructions for levy is seized, or upon demand of the sheriff the writ is satisfied by the defendant in lieu of seizure. Seizure requires that the sheriff take actual possession, if practicable, or, alternatively, constructive possession of the property by order of the court.
When the instructions are for levy upon real property, a levy fee is required for each parcel described in the instructions.
When the instructions are for levy based upon personal property, one fee is allowed, unless the property is seized at different locations, conditional upon all of the items being advertised collectively and the sale being held at a single location. However, if the property seized cannot be sold at one location during the same sale as advertised, but requires separate sales at different locations, the sheriff is then authorized to impose a levy fee for the property and sale at each location.
Forty dollars for advertisement of sale under process.
Forty dollars for each sale under process.
Forty dollars for each deed, bill of sale, or satisfaction of judgment.
For levying on property and for the seizure of persons, the sheriff shall be allowed anticipated expenses necessary for the execution of the process directing such levy or seizure and for the safekeeping of property and persons in the custody of the sheriff. A reasonable cost deposit to cover said fees and expenses in connection with the requested services shall be deposited in advance, by the party requesting the service, with the officer requested to perform the service.
It shall be the responsibility of the party requesting service of process to furnish to the sheriff the original or a certified copy of the process and sufficient copies to be served on the parties receiving the service of process. The party requesting service of process shall provide the sheriff with the best known address where the person may be served. Failure to perfect service at the address provided does not excuse the sheriff from his or her duty to exercise due diligence in locating the person to be served.
All fees collected under paragraphs (1)(a), (b), (c), and (d) shall be nonrefundable and shall be earned when each original request or service of process is made.
All fees collected under the provisions of this section shall be paid monthly into the fine and forfeiture fund of the county.
Fees under this section chargeable to the state or its agencies shall be those fees that were effective under this section on June 30, 2009.
ss. 1, 2, ch. 63-41; s. 2, ch. 72-92; s. 4, ch. 79-396; s. 1, ch. 82-118; s. 1, ch. 83-255; s. 1, ch. 87-405; s. 1, ch. 94-170; s. 1330, ch. 95-147; s. 6, ch. 2000-258; s. 1, ch. 2009-215.
Transportation and return of prisoners.
—The sheriff of any county of the state, when required to go beyond the limits of this state to bring back a prisoner charged with any offense or who has been convicted of any crime in this state and has escaped, shall receive the actual and necessary expense on account of returning the prisoner to the state. Travel under this subsection is exempt from the provisions of s. 112.061.
The sheriff of each county of the state is authorized to contract with private transport companies for the transportation of prisoners both within and beyond the limits of this state. Each prisoner shall be delivered to the transport company by a sheriff or other proper law enforcement official for transportation and then delivered by the same transport company to the proper sheriff or other law enforcement official upon arriving at the point of destination.
Any company transporting a prisoner pursuant to this section shall be considered an independent contractor and shall be solely liable for the prisoner while the prisoner is in the custody of the company. Any transport company contracting with a sheriff for the transportation of prisoners as provided for in this section shall be insured and shall provide no less than $100,000 in liability insurance with respect to the transporting of the prisoners.
Personnel employed by any transport company for the transportation of prisoners as provided for in this section are specifically exempted from:
Any requirements of being appointed as deputy sheriffs.
Providing bond.
Meeting requirements and training as provided by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission for law enforcement and correctional officers.
s. 1, ch. 5407, 1905; ss. 2, 5, ch. 7886, 1919; RGS 2893; s. 2, ch. 10091, 1925; CGL 4591; s. 2, ch. 20943, 1941; s. 1, ch. 77-154; s. 1, ch. 81-176; s. 4, ch. 83-167; s. 183, ch. 95-147.
Constructive mileage not to be charged.
—No sheriff or coroner shall charge constructive mileage. The mileage charged for must be actually traveled by the nearest and most direct route by the public highway.
s. 2, ch. 3106, 1879; RS 1256; GS 1684; RGS 2894; CGL 4592; s. 4, ch. 73-334.
Sheriffs may furnish vital war industries guard service against sabotage.
—The sheriffs of the respective counties of the state be and they are hereby authorized and empowered to furnish adequate guard service to vital war industries if requested to so do by such industries; provided, such industries reimburse said sheriffs the actual cost of such guard service; that the furnishing of guard service by said sheriffs to vital war industries is and shall be an official act of the various sheriffs and said guards shall be deemed to be in the employ of the various sheriffs as an instrumentality of the state.
Such guards shall be regular or special deputy sheriffs, residents of the state, citizens of the United States, and bonded, with no prior criminal record, and shall be always under the control of the respective sheriffs who employ said guards. All orders to said guards shall emanate from the respective sheriffs; provided, however, that industry shall have the right to supervise said guards and make recommendations in connection with the guarding of its property to said sheriffs.
The term “industry,” as used in this section, shall be construed to include any person, firm, or corporation engaged, directly or indirectly, in the manufacture or furnishing of any materials, equipment, commodities, or services which contribute to the prosecution of the war effort.
The said guards employed by the various sheriffs hereunder shall be acceptable to the particular industry involved at all times and shall receive such pay as is agreeable to the sheriff, industry, and the guard to be employed.
All guards heretofore employed by sheriffs and used in connection with the guarding of industry, shall be deemed to have been employed according to the terms and conditions of this section and the employment by the various sheriffs in this connection is hereby ratified, confirmed, and held to be employment in their official capacities as an instrumentality of the state.
The powers given to the various sheriffs of the various counties of this state herein shall not be deemed to be limiting the powers of the sheriffs already existing but shall be deemed to be cumulative.
ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, ch. 21798, 1943.
Program to contract for employment of off-duty deputies for security services.
—A sheriff may operate or administer a program to contract for the employment of sheriff’s deputies, during off-duty hours, for public or private security services.
Any such public or private employer of a deputy sheriff shall be responsible for the acts or omissions of the deputy sheriff while performing services for that employer while off duty, including workers’ compensation benefits.
However, for the workers’ compensation purposes of this section:
A deputy sheriff so employed who sustains an injury while enforcing the criminal, traffic, or penal laws of this state shall be regarded as working on duty.
The term “enforcing the criminal, traffic, or penal laws of this state” shall be interpreted to include, but is not limited to, providing security, patrol, or traffic direction for a private or public employer.
A sheriff may include the sheriff’s proportionate costs of workers’ compensation premiums for the off-duty deputy sheriffs providing such services.
Deputy sheriffs employed during off-duty hours pursuant to the provisions of this section are exempt from the licensure requirements of chapter 493 for persons who watch or guard, patrol services, or private investigators.
s. 5, ch. 91-174; s. 184, ch. 95-147; s. 1, ch. 2010-175.
Closing of public facilities upon threat of violence.
—The sheriff of any county of the state is hereby authorized to temporarily close any public beach, park, or other public recreation facility within the sheriff’s jurisdiction when in his or her discretion conditions exist which present a clear and present or probable threat of violence, danger, or disorder, or at any time a disorderly situation exists which in the sheriff’s opinion warrants such action.
The power of the sheriff in exercising the authority conferred herein shall be full, complete and plenary.
Any public recreation facility closed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be reopened by the sheriff when the conditions upon which such closing was predicated have abated.
ss. 1, 2, ch. 59-377; s. 185, ch. 95-147.
Writs, process; duties and liabilities in levying.
—Whenever any writ, issuing out of any court of this state, shall be delivered to a sheriff, commanding the sheriff to levy upon property specifically described therein, it shall be his or her duty to levy upon such property. If no property is specifically described in the writ, he or she shall levy upon:
Any property in the possession of the defendant which is described in instructions for levy; and
Upon any property assessed against the defendant on the current tax rolls of the county or registered in his or her name under any law of the United States or of the state, upon the request of the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney listing such property in an instructions for levy. The instructions for levy shall state the balance due on such writ.
No sheriff shall be liable in damages to anyone whomsoever for making a wrongful levy whenever the same has been made as required under subsection (1).
If the sheriff, in attempting to execute any writ describing specific property, shall find it in the possession of anyone, other than the defendant, who is claiming the ownership or the right to the possession thereof, the sheriff, in his or her discretion, may require the plaintiff suing out the writ to furnish a bond, payable to such sheriff, in a sum not exceeding the reasonable value of the described property, as fixed by such sheriff, with sureties satisfactory to him or her conditioned to hold the sheriff harmless against liability for any loss or damage that might be sustained by anyone whomsoever by reason of his or her levying upon such described property, and indemnifying him or her for any expense (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred by reason of any such claim.
If the sheriff, in attempting to execute any writ not describing specific property, shall be requested to levy upon any property other than that described in subsection (1), he or she may require the plaintiff suing out the writ to furnish a bond upon the terms and conditions prescribed in subsection (3).
Whenever a party suing out any writ shall demand that the sheriff levy upon specific property and anyone, other than the defendant, shall claim the ownership or right of possession thereof, the sheriff, at his or her option, may file a petition in the court out of which the writ issued and procure a rule to issue to the plaintiff and to the party so claiming the property or the right to possession thereof, to show cause why the levy should or should not be made; provided, that if the issue shall involve the titles or boundaries of real estate, the petition shall be filed in the circuit court. The judge of such court, after due notice to all parties in interest, shall determine whether or not such property is subject to levy under the writ. Any party aggrieved by such ruling, including the sheriff, may appeal therefrom, as from a final decree in a chancery cause, and may have a supersedeas upon such terms and conditions as the judge shall fix. In the event the property is ultimately held to be subject to the writ, the plaintiff’s writ shall have priority over any writs levied subsequent to the date upon which the plaintiff’s writ was delivered to the sheriff.
No sheriff shall be liable for making any levy pursuant to the specific order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ch. 22019, 1943; s. 3, ch. 77-234; s. 27, ch. 81-259; s. 2, ch. 82-118; s. 186, ch. 95-147.
Sheriffs; motor vehicles color combination; badges; simulation prohibited; penalties.
—The color combination of forest green and white is adopted as the official color for use on the motor vehicles and motorcycles used by the various sheriffs of Florida and their deputies.
For purposes of uniformity and in aid of the recognition of their official identity by the public, a badge in the shape of a five-pointed star with a replica of the great seal of Florida with the map of Florida superimposed thereon inscribed in the center is designated as the official badge to be worn by the sheriffs and deputy sheriffs of all counties of the state.
It shall be unlawful for any person other than the sheriffs of Florida and their deputies, to color or cause to be colored any motor vehicle or motorcycle the same or similar color combination prescribed herein; provided, however, that any municipal police department or other law enforcement agency or any private person or concern using the same or similar color combination as of the date of this act shall be permitted to continue to use such colors until such time as new colors are adopted by such agencies, or private person or concern.
It shall be unlawful for any person other than sheriffs and deputy sheriffs to wear an official sheriff’s badge as prescribed herein, or to wear a badge or insignia of such similarity to the official sheriff’s badge as to be indistinguishable therefrom at a distance of 20 feet; provided, nothing therein shall be construed to prevent members of any military, fraternal, or similar organization or any other law enforcement officer from wearing any insignia officially adopted or worn prior to the effective date of this section.
Violation of any of the provisions of this act shall be a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ch. 57-3; s. 13, ch. 71-136.
Salaries.
—Each sheriff shall receive for the performance of official duties as sheriff an annual salary, which shall be payable monthly, twice per month, or biweekly; provided, that compensation for service in office for a part of a calendar month shall be paid in the proportion that the days served bear to the number of days in that month.
s. 2, ch. 57-368; s. 1, ch. 59-216; s. 16, ch. 77-104; s. 1, ch. 88-212; s. 187, ch. 95-147.
Budgets.
—Pursuant to s. 129.03(2), each sheriff shall certify to the board of county commissioners a proposed budget of expenditures for the carrying out of the powers, duties, and operations of office for the ensuing fiscal year of the county. The fiscal year of the sheriff shall henceforth commence on October 1 and end on September 30 of each year.
The sheriff shall submit with the proposed budget his or her sworn certificate, stating that the proposed expenditures are reasonable and necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the office for the ensuing year. The proposed budget shall show the estimated amounts of all proposed expenditures for operating and equipping the sheriff’s office and jail, excluding the cost of construction, repair, or capital improvement of county buildings during such fiscal year. The expenditures shall be categorized at the appropriate fund level in accordance with the following functional categories:
General law enforcement.
Corrections and detention alternative facilities.
Court services, excluding service of process.
Within the appropriate fund and functional category, expenditures shall be itemized in accordance with the uniform chart of accounts prescribed by the Department of Financial Services, as follows:
Personal services.
Operating expenses.
Capital outlay.
Debt service.
Nonoperating disbursements and contingency reserves.
The sheriff shall submit to the board of county commissioners for consideration and inclusion in the county budget, as deemed appropriate by the county, requests for construction, repair, or capital improvement of county buildings operated or occupied by the sheriff.
The sheriff shall furnish to the board of county commissioners or the budget commission, if there is a budget commission in the county, all relevant and pertinent information concerning expenditures made in previous years and to the proposed expenditures which such board or commission deems necessary, except that the board or commission may not require confidential information concerning details of investigations. Confidential information concerning details of investigations is exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).
The board of county commissioners or the budget commission, as the case may be, may require the sheriff to correct mathematical, mechanical, factual, and clerical errors and errors as to form in the proposed budget. At the hearings held pursuant to s. 200.065, the board or commission, as the case may be, may amend, modify, increase, or reduce any or all items of expenditure in the proposed budget and shall approve such budget, as amended, modified, increased, or reduced. It must give written notice of its action to the sheriff and specify in such notice the specific items amended, modified, increased, or reduced. The budget shall include the salaries and expenses of the sheriff’s office, cost of operation of the county jail, purchase, maintenance and operation of equipment, including patrol cars, radio systems, transporting prisoners, court duties, and all other salaries, expenses, equipment, and investigation expenditures of the entire sheriff’s office for the previous year. The sheriff, within 30 days after receiving written notice of such action by the board or commission, either in person or in his or her office, may file an appeal to the Administration Commission. Such appeal shall be by petition to the Administration Commission. The petition shall set forth the budget proposed by the sheriff, in the form and manner prescribed by the Executive Office of the Governor and approved by the Administration Commission, and the budget as approved by the board of county commissioners or the budget commission, as the case may be, and shall contain the reasons or grounds for the appeal. Such petition shall be filed with the Executive Office of the Governor, and a copy of the petition shall be served upon the board or commission from the decision of which appeal is taken by delivering the same to the chair or president thereof or to the clerk of the circuit court. The board of county commissioners or the budget commission, as the case may be, shall have 5 days from delivery of a copy of any such petition to file with the Executive Office of the Governor a reply thereto, and it shall deliver a copy of such reply to the sheriff.
Upon receipt of the petition, the Executive Office of the Governor shall provide for a budget hearing at which the matters presented in the petition and the reply shall be considered. A report of the findings and recommendations of the Executive Office of the Governor thereon shall be promptly submitted to the Administration Commission, which, within 30 days, shall either approve the action of the board or commission as to each separate item, or approve the budget as proposed by the sheriff as to each separate item, or amend or modify the budget as to each separate item within the limits of the proposed board of expenditures and the expenditures as approved by the board of county commissioners or the budget commission, as the case may be. The budget as approved, amended, or modified by the Administration Commission shall be final.
The board of county commissioners and the budget commission, if there is a budget commission within the county, shall include in the county budget the items of proposed expenditures as set forth in the budget required by this section to be submitted, after the budget has been reviewed and approved as provided herein; and the board or commission, as the case may be, shall include the reserve for contingencies provided herein for each budget of the sheriff in the reserve for contingencies in the budget of the appropriate county fund.
The reserve for contingencies in the budget of a sheriff shall be governed by the same provisions governing the amount and use of the reserve for contingencies appropriated in the county budget, except that the reserve for contingency in the budget of the sheriff shall be appropriated upon written request of the sheriff.
The items placed in the budget of the board of county commissioners pursuant to this law shall be subject to the same provisions of law as the county annual budget; except that no amendments may be made to the appropriations for the sheriff’s office except as requested by the sheriff.
The proposed expenditures in the budget shall be submitted to the board of county commissioners or budget commission, if there is a budget commission within the county, by June 1 each year; and the budget shall be included by the board or commission, as the case may be, in the budget of either the general fund or the fine and forfeiture fund, or in part of each.
If in the judgment of the sheriff an emergency should arise by reason of which the sheriff would be unable to perform his or her duties without the expenditure of larger amounts than those provided in the budget, he or she may apply to the board of county commissioners for the appropriation of additional amounts. If the board of county commissioners approves the sheriff’s request, no further action is required on either party. If the board of county commissioners disapproves a portion or all of the sheriff’s request, the sheriff may apply to the Administration Commission for the appropriation of additional amounts. The sheriff shall at the same time deliver a copy of the application to the Administration Commission, the board of county commissioners, and the budget commission, if there is a budget commission within the county. The Administration Commission may require a budget hearing on the application, after due notice to the sheriff and to the boards, and may grant or deny an increase or increases in the appropriations for the sheriff’s offices. If any increase is granted, the board of county commissioners, and the budget commission, if there is a budget commission in the county, shall amend accordingly the budget of the appropriate county fund or funds. Such budget shall be brought into balance, if possible, by application of excess receipts in such county fund or funds. If such excess receipts are not available in sufficient amount, the county fund budget or budgets shall be brought into balance by adding an item of “Vouchers unpaid” in the appropriate amount to the receipts side of the budget, and provision for paying such vouchers shall be made in the budget of the county fund for the next fiscal year.
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a sheriff may include a clothing and maintenance allowance for plainclothes deputies within his or her budget.
s. 3, ch. 57-368; ss. 3, 4, ch. 59-216; ss. 12, 28, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 7, ch. 71-355; s. 7, ch. 73-349; s. 1, ch. 74-103; s. 17, ch. 77-104; s. 85, ch. 79-190; s. 28, ch. 81-259; s. 1, ch. 82-33; s. 12, ch. 82-154; s. 1, ch. 83-204; s. 35, ch. 84-254; s. 9, ch. 90-360; s. 188, ch. 95-147; s. 1, ch. 95-169; s. 12, ch. 96-406; s. 22, ch. 97-96; s. 2, ch. 2002-193; s. 91, ch. 2003-261.
Payment of salaries and expenses.
—The sheriff shall requisition and the board of county commissioners shall pay him or her, at the first meeting in October of each year, and each month thereafter, one-twelfth of the total amount budgeted for the office; provided, that at the first meeting in January of each year, the board shall, at the request of the sheriff, pay one-sixth of the total appropriated, and one-twelfth each month thereafter, which payments shall be not more than the total appropriation. Provided further that any part of the amount budgeted for equipment shall be paid at any time during the year upon the request of the sheriff.
The sheriff shall deposit the county warrant or warrants in his or her official bank account as provided in s. 30.51(3) and draw his or her own checks thereon in payment of the salaries of the sheriff and his or her deputies, clerks, and employees and the expenses of office. All salaries paid shall be supported by payrolls, and all expenses paid shall be supported by approved bills; provided, that the sheriff may draw a check to himself or herself for the expense of an investigation, and may note on the voucher only the information that he or she may consider proper to divulge.
The sheriff may set up a revolving fund for payment in cash of small items. The revolving fund shall be reimbursed from time to time by payment of the vouchers representing the cash payments.
The sheriff shall keep necessary budget accounts and records, and shall charge all paid bills and payrolls to the proper budget accounts. The reserve for contingencies, or any part thereof, may be transferred to any of the budget appropriations, in the discretion of the sheriff. With the approval of the board of county commissioners, or of the budget commission if there is a budget commission in the county, the budget may be amended as provided for county budgets in s. 129.06(2).
All expenses incurred in the fiscal year for which the budget is made shall be vouchered and charged to the budget for that year, and to carry out this purpose the books may be held open for 30 days after the end of the year.
All unexpended balances at the end of each fiscal year shall be refunded to the board of county commissioners, and deposited to the county fund or funds from which payment was originally made.
s. 4, ch. 57-368; s. 189, ch. 95-147.
Bailiffs’ meals and lodging.
—The sheriff may provide meals and lodging to bailiffs appointed by the sheriff who, by order of any court, provide security to sequestered juries.
s. 2, ch. 88-212.
Fees and commissions.
—No bills shall be rendered to the county for any services, nor shall any fees, commissions, or other remuneration for official services as sheriff be paid by the board of county commissioners of any county to the sheriff of the county except as provided by this section. All fees, commissions and other remuneration provided by law for services other than criminal shall be charged by the said sheriff to other authorities and parties doing business with their offices, and shall be paid over to the county as provided in this section.
The fees authorized, or a deposit sufficient to cover them, shall be collected in advance from the party who requests the service; provided, that services may be performed for any governmental agency or unit without advance payment, and the officer shall bill and collect the fees earned from such agency after the service is performed or when the amount due is determined.
Deposits for fees shall be placed in a depository trust account. The officer who receives the deposit shall keep an account with the depositor, and shall withdraw monthly from the deposits the fees earned and shall remit them to the county fund or funds as provided by this section.
Fees or commissions commingled when received with other official collections may be deposited with such other collections in the trust account or accounts and distributed to the county fund or funds at the time that the other collections, with which they were received, are distributed.
All fees, commissions, or other funds collected by the sheriff for services rendered or performed by his or her office shall be remitted monthly to the county.
No sheriff shall render to another county a bill for service of process in any criminal matter.
s. 5, ch. 57-368; s. 1, ch. 59-365; s. 8, ch. 69-82; s. 190, ch. 95-147; s. 26, ch. 2001-266.
Handling of public funds.
—The sheriff shall keep public funds in his or her custody, either in his or her office in an amount not in excess of the burglary, theft, and robbery insurance provided, the cost of which is hereby authorized as an expense of the office, or in a depository in an amount not in excess of the security provided pursuant to s. 658.60 and the regulations of the Department of Financial Services. The title of the depository accounts shall include the word “sheriff” and the name of the county, and withdrawals from the accounts shall be made by checks signed by the duly qualified and acting sheriff of the county, or his or her designated deputy or agent.
s. 6, ch. 57-368; ss. 12, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 147, ch. 80-260; s. 191, ch. 95-147; s. 92, ch. 2003-261.
Independence of constitutional officials.
—The independence of the sheriffs shall be preserved concerning the purchase of supplies and equipment, selection of personnel, and the hiring, firing, and setting of salaries of such personnel; provided that nothing herein contained shall restrict the establishment or operation of any civil service system or civil service board created pursuant to s. 14, Art. III, of the Constitution of Florida, provided, further that nothing contained in ss. 30.48-30.53 shall be construed to alter, modify or change in any manner any civil service system or board, state or local, now in existence or hereafter established.
s. 7, ch. 57-368; s. 36, ch. 69-216.
Liability insurance.
—The sheriff may obtain insurance to cover liability for damages arising out of claims for false arrests, false imprisonment, false or improper service of process, or other claims arising out of the performance of his or her duties or the duties of his or her deputies or employees and may pay the premiums for such insurance from funds appropriated for the necessary and regular expenses of office without specific appropriation or specification of expenses with respect thereto.
s. 1, ch. 88-103; s. 192, ch. 95-147.
Release of traffic violator on recognizance or bond; penalty for failure to appear.
—In all cases of arrest for traffic violations, by a sheriff or a deputy sheriff, the person arrested may in the discretion of such officer be released upon his or her own recognizance or upon bond provided said officer shall obtain from such person arrested a recognizance or, if deemed necessary, a cash bond or other sufficient security conditioned for his or her appearance before the proper tribunal of such county to answer the charge for which he or she has been arrested. Any person who is so arrested and released on his or her own recognizance by an officer and given a written summons to appear before the proper tribunal of such county to answer the charge for which arrested and who shall fail to appear or respond to such summons shall, in addition to the traffic violation charge, be guilty of a noncriminal traffic infraction subject to the penalty provided in s. 318.18(2).
s. 1, ch. 59-97; s. 14, ch. 71-136; s. 1, ch. 72-244; s. 2, ch. 87-288; s. 193, ch. 95-147.
Former s. 146.08.
Establishment of neighborhood crime watch programs.
—A county sheriff or municipal police department may establish neighborhood crime watch programs within the county or municipality. The participants of a neighborhood crime watch program shall include, but need not be limited to, residents of the county or municipality and owners of businesses located within the county or municipality.
s. 1, ch. 2004-18.
Also published at s. 166.0485.