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The Florida Senate

2011 Florida Statutes

Title XLVI CRIMES
Chapter 831
FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING
CHAPTER 831
CHAPTER 831
FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING
831.01 Forgery.
831.02 Uttering forged instruments.
831.025 Evidence in prosecution for forgery or counterfeiting.
831.03 Forging or counterfeiting private labels; definitions.
831.031 Evidence.
831.032 Offenses involving forging or counterfeiting private labels.
831.033 Forging or counterfeiting private labels; destruction; forfeiture.
831.034 Prosecutions.
831.04 Penalty for changing or forging certain instruments of writing.
831.06 Fictitious signature of officer of corporation.
831.07 Forging bank bills, checks, drafts, or promissory notes.
831.08 Possessing certain forged notes, bills, checks, or drafts.
831.09 Uttering forged bills, checks, drafts, or notes.
831.10 Second conviction of uttering forged bills.
831.11 Bringing into the state forged bank bills, checks, drafts, or notes.
831.12 Fraudulently connecting parts of genuine instrument.
831.13 Having in possession uncurrent bills.
831.14 Uttering uncurrent bills.
831.15 Counterfeiting coin; having 10 or more such coins in possession with intent to utter.
831.16 Having fewer than 10 counterfeit coins in possession with intent to utter.
831.17 Violation of s. 831.16; second conviction.
831.18 Making or possessing instruments for forging bills.
831.19 Making or having instruments for counterfeiting coin.
831.20 Counterfeit bills and counterfeiters’ tools to be seized.
831.21 Forging or counterfeiting doctor’s certificate of examination.
831.22 Damaging bank bills.
831.23 Impeding circulation.
831.24 Issuing shop bills similar to bank notes.
831.25 Bringing private bills similar to bank bills into the state.
831.26 Circulating any substitute for regular currency.
831.27 Issuing notes.
831.28 Counterfeiting a payment instrument; possessing a counterfeit payment instrument; penalties.
831.29 Making or having instruments and material for counterfeiting driver’s licenses or identification cards.
831.30 Medicinal drugs; fraud in obtaining.
831.31 Counterfeit controlled substance; sale, manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver.
831.311 Unlawful sale, manufacture, alteration, delivery, uttering, or possession of counterfeit-resistant prescription blanks for controlled substances.
831.01 Forgery.—Whoever falsely makes, alters, forges or counterfeits a public record, or a certificate, return or attestation of any clerk or register of a court, public register, notary public, town clerk or any public officer, in relation to a matter wherein such certificate, return or attestation may be received as a legal proof; or a charter, deed, will, testament, bond, or writing obligatory, letter of attorney, policy of insurance, bill of lading, bill of exchange or promissory note, or an order, acquittance, or discharge for money or other property, or an acceptance of a bill of exchange or promissory note for the payment of money, or any receipt for money, goods or other property, or any passage ticket, pass or other evidence of transportation issued by a common carrier, with intent to injure or defraud any person, shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 1, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2479; s. 6, ch. 4702, 1899; GS 3359; RGS 5206; CGL 7324; s. 1, ch. 59-31; s. 1, ch. 61-98; s. 959, ch. 71-136; s. 32, ch. 73-334.
831.02 Uttering forged instruments.—Whoever utters and publishes as true a false, forged or altered record, deed, instrument or other writing mentioned in s. 831.01 knowing the same to be false, altered, forged or counterfeited, with intent to injure or defraud any person, shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 2, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2480; GS 3360; RGS 5208; CGL 7326; s. 2, ch. 59-31; s. 2, ch. 61-98; s. 960, ch. 71-136.
831.025 Evidence in prosecution for forgery or counterfeiting.—In prosecutions for forging or counterfeiting notes or bills of banks, or for uttering, publishing, or tendering in payment as true, any forged or counterfeit bank bills, or notes, or for being possessed thereof with intent to utter and pass the same as true, the testimony of the president and cashier of such banks may be dispensed with, if their place of residence is out of the state or more than 40 miles from the place of trial; and the testimony of any person acquainted with the signature of such president or cashier, or who has knowledge of the difference in the appearance of the true and counterfeit bills or notes of such banks may be admitted to prove that such bills or notes are counterfeit.
History.—s. 122g, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(128); s. 179, ch. 70-339.
Note.—Former s. 906.22.
831.03 Forging or counterfeiting private labels; definitions.—As used in ss. 831.03-831.034, the term:
(1) “Bodily injury” means:
(a) A cut, abrasion, bruise, burn, or disfigurement;
(b) Physical pain;
(c) Illness;
(d) Impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty; or
(e) Any other injury to the body, no matter how temporary.
(2) “Culpable negligence” means reckless disregard of human life or safety and consciously doing an act or following a course of conduct that the actor knew, or reasonably should have known, was likely to cause bodily injury.
(3) “Forged or counterfeit trademark or service mark” refers to a mark:
(a) That is applied to or used in connection with any goods, services, labels, patches, stickers, wrappers, badges, emblems, medallions, charms, boxes, containers, cans, cases, hangtags, documentation, or packaging or any other components of any type or nature that are designed, marketed, or otherwise intended to be used on or in connection with any goods or services;
(b) That is identical with or an imitation of a mark registered for those goods or services on the principal register in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the trademark register for the State of Florida or any other state, or protected by the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, 36 U.S.C. s. 380, whether or not the offender knew such mark was so registered or protected;
(c) The use of which is unauthorized by the owner of the registered mark; and
(d) The application or use of which is either likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive or is otherwise intended to be used on or in connection with the goods or services for which the mark is registered.

An otherwise legitimate mark is deemed counterfeit for purposes of this definition if, by altering the nature of any item to which it is affixed, the altered item bearing the otherwise legitimate mark is likely, in the course of commerce, to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive.

(4) “Retail value” means:
(a) The counterfeiter’s regular selling price for the goods or services, unless the goods or services bearing a counterfeit mark would appear to a reasonably prudent person to be authentic, then the retail value shall be the price of the authentic counterpart; or, if no authentic reasonably similar counterpart exists, then the retail value shall remain the counterfeiter’s regular selling price.
(b) In the case of labels, patches, stickers, wrappers, badges, emblems, medallions, charms, boxes, containers, cans, cases, hangtags, documentation, or packaging or any other components of any type or nature that are designed, marketed, or otherwise intended to be used on or in connection with any goods or services, the retail value shall be treated as if each component was a finished good and valued as described in paragraph (a).
(5) “Serious bodily injury” means bodily injury that involves:
(a) A substantial risk of death;
(b) Extreme physical pain;
(c) Protracted and obvious disfigurement; or
(d) Protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty.
History.—s. 1, ch. 3621, 1885; RS 2481; GS 3361; RGS 5209; CGL 7327; s. 961, ch. 71-136; s. 1, ch. 95-300; s. 1, ch. 2008-255.
831.031 Evidence.—In any proceeding under or related to ss. 831.03-831.034:
(1) Proof that a person is in possession of more than 25 goods, labels, patches, stickers, wrappers, badges, emblems, medallions, charms, boxes, containers, cans, cases, hangtags, documentation, or packaging or any other components of any type or nature bearing a counterfeit mark, unless satisfactorily explained, gives rise to an inference that such property is being possessed with intent to offer it for sale or distribution.
(2) A state or federal certificate of registration of trademark shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2008-255.
831.032 Offenses involving forging or counterfeiting private labels.—
(1) Whoever, knowingly and willfully, forges or counterfeits, or causes or procures to be forged or counterfeited, manufactures, distributes or transports, or possesses with intent to distribute or transport, upon or in connection with any goods or services, the trademark or service mark of any person, entity, or association, which goods or services are intended for resale, or knowingly possesses tools or other reproduction materials for reproduction of specific forged or counterfeit trademarks or service marks commits the crime of counterfeiting.
(2) Whoever knowingly sells or offers for sale, or knowingly purchases and keeps or has in his or her possession, with intent that the same shall be sold or disposed, or vends any goods having thereon a forged or counterfeit trademark, or who knowingly sells or offers for sale any service which is sold in conjunction with a forged or counterfeit service mark, of any person, entity, or association, knowing the same to be forged or counterfeited, commits the crime of selling or offering for sale counterfeit goods or services.
(3)(a) Violation of subsection (1) or subsection (2) is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, except that:
1. A violation of subsection (1) or subsection (2) is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, if the offense involves 100 or more but less than 1,000 items bearing one or more counterfeit marks or if the goods involved in the offense have a total retail value of more than $2,500, but less than $20,000.
2. A violation of subsection (1) or subsection (2) is a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, if the offense involves 1,000 or more items bearing one or more counterfeit marks or if the goods involved in the offense have a total retail value of $20,000 or more.
3. A violation of subsection (1) or subsection (2) is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084 if, during the commission or as a result of the commission of the offense, the person engaging in the offense knowingly or by culpable negligence causes or allows to be caused bodily injury to another.
4. A violation of subsection (1) or subsection (2) is a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084 if, during the commission or as a result of the commission of the offense, the person engaging in the offense knowingly or by culpable negligence causes or allows to be caused serious bodily injury to another.
5. A violation of subsection (1) or subsection (2) is a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084 if, during the commission or as a result of the commission of the offense, the person engaging in the offense knowingly or by culpable negligence causes or allows to be caused death to another.
(b) For any person who, having previously been convicted for an offense under this section, is subsequently convicted for another offense under this section, such subsequent offense shall be reclassified as follows:
1. In the case of a felony of the second degree, to a felony of the first degree.
2. In the case of a felony of the third degree, to a felony of the second degree.
3. In the case of a misdemeanor of the first degree, to a felony of the third degree. For purposes of sentencing under chapter 921 and determining incentive gain-time eligibility under chapter 944, such offense is ranked in level 4 of the offense severity ranking chart.

For purposes of sentencing under chapter 921 and determining incentive gain-time eligibility under chapter 944, a felony offense that is reclassified under this paragraph is ranked one level above the ranking under s. 921.0022 or s. 921.0023 of the felony offense committed.

(c) In lieu of a fine otherwise authorized by law, when any person has been convicted of an offense under this section, the court may fine the person up to three times the retail value of the goods seized, manufactured, or sold, whichever is greater, and may enter orders awarding court costs and the costs of investigation and prosecution, reasonably incurred. The court shall hold a hearing to determine the amount of the fine authorized by this paragraph.
(d) When a person is convicted of an offense under this section, the court, pursuant to s. 775.089, shall order the person to pay restitution to the trademark owner and any other victim of the offense. In determining the value of the property loss to the trademark owner, the court shall include expenses incurred by the trademark owner in the investigation or prosecution of the offense as well as the disgorgement of any profits realized by a person convicted of the offense.
(4) All defenses, affirmative defenses, and limitations on remedies that would be applicable in an action under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. ss. 1051 et seq., or to an action under s. 495.131 shall be applicable in a prosecution under this section.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2008-255.
831.033 Forging or counterfeiting private labels; destruction; forfeiture.—
(1)(a) Any goods to which forged or counterfeit trademarks or service marks are attached or affixed or any tools or other materials for the reproduction of any specific forged or counterfeit trademark or service mark which are produced or possessed in violation of this section may be seized by any law enforcement officer.
(b) Any personal property, including, but not limited to, any item, object, tool, machine, or vehicle of any kind, employed as an instrumentality in the commission of, or in aiding or abetting in the commission of, the crime of counterfeiting, as proscribed by ss. 831.03-831.034, and not otherwise included in paragraph (a), may be seized and is subject to forfeiture pursuant to ss. 932.701-932.704.
(2) The court, in imposing sentence on a person convicted of an offense under this section, shall order, in addition to any other sentence imposed, that the person forfeit to the state the following:
(a) Any property constituting or derived from any proceeds the person obtained, directly or indirectly, as the result of the offense.
(b) Any of the person’s property used, or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit, facilitate, aid, or abet the commission of the offense.
(c) Any item that bears or consists of a counterfeit mark used in committing the offense.
(3) At the conclusion of all forfeiture proceedings, the court shall order that any forfeited item bearing or consisting of a counterfeit mark be destroyed or alternatively disposed of in another manner with the written consent of the trademark owners. The owners of the registered or protected mark shall be responsible for the costs incurred in the disposition of the forged or counterfeit items.
History.—s. 4, ch. 2008-255.
831.034 Prosecutions.—Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, prosecution may be had for any and all violations of ss. 831.03-831.033 and for any other criminal violations that may apply. Prosecution for violation of any of the offenses described in ss. 831.03-831.033 shall not be construed to preclude the applicability of any other provision of the law which presently applies or may in the future apply to any transaction that violates ss. 831.03-831.033, unless such provision is inconsistent with the terms of ss. 831.03-831.033.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2008-255.
831.04 Penalty for changing or forging certain instruments of writing.—
(1) Any person making any erasure, alteration, interlineation or interpolation in any writing or instrument mentioned in s. 92.28, and made admissible in evidence, with the fraudulent intent to change the same in any substantial manner after the same has once been made, shall be guilty of the crime of forgery, which, for the purposes of this section, constitutes a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(2) Any person who may be in the business of making writings or written entries, maps or plats concerning or relating to lands or real estate, in any county in this state to which said sections apply, and of furnishing to persons applying therefor abstracts or copies of such writing or written entries, maps or plats as aforesaid, for a fee, reward or compensation therefor, and shall make the same with an alteration or interpolation in any matter of substance, with fraudulent intent to alter or change the same in any material manner or matter of substance, shall be guilty of the crime of forgery, and shall be punished as provided in subsection (1).
History.—s. 6, ch. 4951, 1901; GS 3362; RGS 5210; CGL 7328; s. 962, ch. 71-136.
831.06 Fictitious signature of officer of corporation.—If a fictitious or pretended signature, purporting to be the signature of an officer or agent of a corporation, is fraudulently affixed to any instrument or writing purporting to be a note, draft or evidence of debt issued by such corporation, with intent to pass the same as true, it shall be deemed a forgery, though no such person may ever have been an officer or agent of such corporation, or ever have existed.
History.—s. 12, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2483; GS 3364; RGS 5212; CGL 7330.
831.07 Forging bank bills, checks, drafts, or promissory notes.—Whoever falsely makes, alters, forges, or counterfeits a bank bill, check, draft, or promissory note payable to the bearer thereof, or to the order of any person, issued by an incorporated banking company established in this state, or within the United States, or any foreign province, state, or government, with intent to injure any person, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 4, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2485; GS 3366; RGS 5214; CGL 7332; s. 964, ch. 71-136; s. 8, ch. 2001-115.
831.08 Possessing certain forged notes, bills, checks, or drafts.—Whoever has in his or her possession 10 or more similar false, altered, forged, or counterfeit notes, bills of credit, bank bills, checks, drafts, or notes, such as are mentioned in any of the preceding sections of this chapter, payable to the bearer thereof or to the order of any person, knowing the same to be false, altered, forged, or counterfeit, with intent to utter and pass the same as true, and thereby to injure or defraud any person, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 5, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2486; GS 3367; RGS 5215; CGL 7333; s. 965, ch. 71-136; s. 1291, ch. 97-102; s. 9, ch. 2001-115.
831.09 Uttering forged bills, checks, drafts, or notes.—Whoever utters or passes or tenders in payment as true, any such false, altered, forged, or counterfeit note, or any bank bill, check, draft, or promissory note, payable to the bearer thereof or to the order of any person, issued as aforesaid, knowing the same to be false, altered, forged, or counterfeit, with intent to injure or defraud any person, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 6, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2487; GS 3368; RGS 5216; CGL 7334; s. 966, ch. 71-136; s. 10, ch. 2001-115.
831.10 Second conviction of uttering forged bills.—Whoever, having been convicted of the offense mentioned in s. 831.09 is again convicted of the like offense committed after the former conviction, and whoever is at the same term of the court convicted upon three distinct charges of such offense, shall be deemed a common utterer of counterfeit bills, and shall be punished as provided in s. 775.084.
History.—s. 7, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2488; GS 3369; RGS 5217; CGL 7335; s. 967, ch. 71-136; s. 11, ch. 2001-115.
831.11 Bringing into the state forged bank bills, checks, drafts, or notes.—Whoever brings into this state or has in his or her possession a false, forged, or counterfeit bill, check, draft, or note in the similitude of the bills or notes payable to the bearer thereof or to the order of any person issued by or for any bank or banking company established in this state, or within the United States, or any foreign province, state or government, with intent to utter and pass the same or to render the same current as true, knowing the same to be false, forged, or counterfeit, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 8, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2489; GS 3370; RGS 5218; CGL 7336; s. 968, ch. 71-136; s. 1292, ch. 97-102; s. 12, ch. 2001-115.
831.12 Fraudulently connecting parts of genuine instrument.—Whoever fraudulently connects together parts of several banknotes, checks, drafts, or other genuine instruments in such a manner as to produce one additional note, check, draft, or instrument, with intent to pass all of them as genuine, commits forgery as if each of them had been falsely made or forged.
History.—s. 19, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2490; GS 3371; RGS 5219; CGL 7337; s. 13, ch. 2001-115.
831.13 Having in possession uncurrent bills.—Whoever has in his or her possession at the same time five or more uncurrent bank bills or notes, knowing the same to be worthless, or has papers, not bank bills or notes but made in the similitude of bank bills or notes of any bank which has never existed, knowing the character of such papers, with intent to pass, utter or circulate the same, or to procure any other person to do so, for the purpose of injuring or defrauding, shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 22, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2491; GS 3372; RGS 5220; CGL 7338; s. 969, ch. 71-136; s. 1293, ch. 97-102.
831.14 Uttering uncurrent bills.—Whoever utters, or passes or tenders in payment as true, any such worthless and uncurrent bank bill or note, or any paper not a bank bill or note but made in the similitude of a bank bill or note, or any paper purporting to be the bill or note of any bank which has never existed, knowing the same to be worthless and uncurrent, as aforesaid, with intent to injure and defraud, shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 23, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2492; GS 3373; RGS 5221; CGL 7339; s. 970, ch. 71-136.
831.15 Counterfeiting coin; having 10 or more such coins in possession with intent to utter.—Whoever counterfeits any gold, silver, or any metallic money coin, current by law or usage within this state, or has in his or her possession at the same time 10 or more pieces of false money, or coin counterfeited in the similitude of any gold, silver or metallic coin; current as aforesaid, knowing the same to be false and counterfeit, and with intent to utter or pass the same as true, shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 14, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2493; GS 3374; RGS 5222; CGL 7340; s. 971, ch. 71-136; s. 1294, ch. 97-102.
831.16 Having fewer than 10 counterfeit coins in possession with intent to utter.—Whoever has in his or her possession any number of pieces fewer than 10 of the counterfeit coin mentioned in s. 831.15, knowing the same to be counterfeit, with intent to utter or pass the same as true, or who utters, passes or tenders in payment as true any such counterfeit coin, knowing the same to be false and counterfeit, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 15, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2494; GS 3375; RGS 5223; CGL 7341; s. 1295, ch. 97-102; s. 7, ch. 2010-117.
831.17 Violation of s. 831.16; second conviction.—Whoever having been convicted of either of the offenses mentioned in s. 831.16, is again convicted of either of the same offenses, committed after the former conviction, and whoever is at the same term of the court convicted upon three distinct charges of said offenses, commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 16, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2495; GS 3376; RGS 5224; CGL 7342; s. 8, ch. 2010-117.
831.18 Making or possessing instruments for forging bills.—Whoever engraves, makes, or amends, or begins to engrave, make, or amend, any plate, block, press, or other tool, instrument, or implement, or makes or provides any paper or other material, adapted and designed for the making of a false and counterfeit note, certificate, or other bill of credit, purporting to be issued by lawful authority for a debt of this state, or a false or counterfeit note or bill, in the similitude of the notes or bills issued by any bank or banking company established in this state, or within the United States, or in any foreign province, state, or government; and whoever has in his or her possession any such plate or block engraved in any part, or any press or other tool, instrument, or any paper or other material adapted and designed as aforesaid, with intent to issue the same, or to cause or permit the same to be used in forging or making any such false and counterfeit certificates, bills, or notes, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 9, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2496; GS 3377; RGS 5225; CGL 7343; s. 1296, ch. 97-102; s. 9, ch. 2010-117.
831.19 Making or having instruments for counterfeiting coin.—Whoever casts, stamps, engraves, makes or amends, or knowingly has in his or her possession any mould, pattern, die, puncheon, engine, press or other tool or instrument, adapted and designed for coining or making counterfeit coin in the similitude of any gold, silver or metallic coin, current by law or usage in this state, with intent to use or employ the same, or to cause or to permit the same to be used or employed in coining and making any such false and counterfeit coin as aforesaid, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison not exceeding 10 years, or by fine not exceeding $1,000.
History.—s. 17, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2497; GS 3378; RGS 5226; CGL 7344; s. 1297, ch. 97-102.
831.20 Counterfeit bills and counterfeiters’ tools to be seized.—When false, forged or counterfeit bank bills or notes, or plates, dies or other tools, instruments or implements used by counterfeiters, designed for the forging or making of false or counterfeit notes, coin or bills, or worthless and uncurrent bank bills or notes described in this chapter shall come to the knowledge of any sheriff, police officer or other officer of justice in this state, such officer shall immediately seize and take possession of and deliver the same into the custody of the court having jurisdiction of the offense of counterfeiting in the county, and the court shall, as soon as the ends of justice will permit, cause the same to be destroyed by an officer of the court who shall make return to the court of his or her doings in the premises.
History.—s. 25, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2498; GS 3379; RGS 5227; CGL 7345; s. 32, ch. 73-334; s. 1298, ch. 97-102.
831.21 Forging or counterfeiting doctor’s certificate of examination.—Whoever falsely makes, alters, forges, or counterfeits any doctor’s certificate or record of examination to an application for a policy of insurance, or knowing such doctor’s certificate or record of examination to be falsely made, altered, forged, or counterfeited, passes, utters, or publishes such certificate as true, with intent to injure or defraud any person, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 1, ch. 4525, 1897; GS 3380; RGS 5228; CGL 7346; s. 10, ch. 2010-117.
831.22 Damaging bank bills.—Whoever willfully and maliciously cuts, or in any manner damages and impairs the usefulness for circulation of any bank bill or note of any bank in this state, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.083, but the possession or uttering of a bill so damaged shall not be evidence against the party charged, unless connected with other circumstances tending to prove that the note or bill was damaged by him or her.
History.—s. 20, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2725; GS 3717; RGS 5700; CGL 7914; s. 972, ch. 71-136; s. 1299, ch. 97-102.
831.23 Impeding circulation.—Whoever maliciously gathers up or retains or maliciously does any gathering up or retaining any bills or notes of any bank or banking company current by law or usage in this state for the purpose of endangering or impeding the circulation or business of such bank or banking company, or to compel it to do any act whatever out of its usual course of business, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. In the prosecution of any such offense it will not be necessary to set out and describe each bill, but it shall be sufficient to aver and prove any amount of the bills of any bank which has been gathered up or retained.
History.—s. 21, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2726; GS 3718; RGS 5701; CGL 7915; s. 973, ch. 71-136.
831.24 Issuing shop bills similar to bank notes.—Whoever engraves, prints, issues, utters or circulates a shop bill or advertisement in the similitude, form and appearance of a bank bill, on paper similar to paper used for bank bills, with vignettes, figures or decoration used on bank bills, or having the general appearance of a bank bill, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
History.—s. 24, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2727; GS 3719; RGS 5702; CGL 7916; s. 974, ch. 71-136.
831.25 Bringing private bills similar to bank bills into the state.—Whoever brings into this state, with intent to pass the same therein, any bills or notes in the likeness of banknotes, which said bills or notes are or have been issued by private individuals or private unincorporated companies in any or either of the states in the United States, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.083.
History.—s. 1, Dec. 22, 1824; RS 2728; GS 3720; RGS 5703; CGL 7917; s. 975, ch. 71-136.
831.26 Circulating any substitute for regular currency.—Whoever issues or circulates, or causes to be issued or circulated, or assists in issuing or circulating as a substitute in any respect for the currency recognized by law, any scrip, notes, bills, or any other written, engraved or lithographed paper payable in anything other than money, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.083.
History.—s. 1, ch. 3140, 1879; RS 2729; GS 3721; RGS 5704; CGL 7918; s. 976, ch. 71-136; s. 242, ch. 77-104.
831.27 Issuing notes.—Whoever issues any note, bill, order, or check, other than foreign bills of exchange and notes or bills of some bank or company incorporated by the laws of this state, or by the laws of the United States, or by the laws of Canada, with intent that the same be circulated as currency, commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.083.
History.—s. 18, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2730; GS 3722; RGS 5705; CGL 7919; s. 977, ch. 71-136; s. 11, ch. 2010-117.
831.28 Counterfeiting a payment instrument; possessing a counterfeit payment instrument; penalties.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “counterfeit” means the manufacture of or arrangement to manufacture a payment instrument, as defined in s. 560.103, without the permission of the financial institution, account holder, or organization whose name, routing number, or account number appears on the payment instrument, or the manufacture of any payment instrument with a fictitious name, routing number, or account number.
(2)(a) It is unlawful to counterfeit a payment instrument with the intent to defraud a financial institution, account holder, or any other person or organization or for a person to have any counterfeit payment instrument in such person’s possession. Any person who violates this subsection commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(b) The printing of a payment instrument in the name of a person or entity or with the routing number or account number of a person or entity without the permission of the person or entity to manufacture or reproduce such payment instrument with such name, routing number, or account number is prima facie evidence of intent to defraud.
(3) This section does not apply to a law enforcement agency that produces or displays counterfeit payment instruments for investigative or educational purposes.
History.—s. 14, ch. 2001-115.
831.29 Making or having instruments and material for counterfeiting driver’s licenses or identification cards.—Any person who has control, custody, or possession of any plate, block, press, stone, or other tool, instrument, or implement, or any part thereof; engraves, makes, or amends, or begins to engrave, make, or amend, any plate, block, press, stone, or other tool, instrument, or implement; brings into the state any such plate, block, press, stone, or other tool, instrument, or implement, or any part thereof, in the similitude of the driver’s licenses or identification cards issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or its duly authorized agents or those of any state or jurisdiction that issues licenses recognized in this state for the operation of a motor vehicle or that issues identification cards recognized in this state for the purpose of indicating a person’s true name and age; has control, custody, or possession of or makes or provides any paper or other material adapted and designed for the making of a false and counterfeit driver’s license or identification card purporting to be issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or its duly authorized agents or those of any state or jurisdiction that issues licenses recognized in this state for the operation of a motor vehicle or that issues identification cards recognized in this state for the purpose of indicating a person’s true name and age; has in his or her possession, control, or custody any such plate or block engraved in any part, or any press or other tool or instrument or any paper or other material adapted and designed as aforesaid with intent to sell, issue, publish, pass, or utter the same or to cause or permit the same to be used in forging or making any such false or counterfeit driver’s license or identification card; or prints, photographs, or in any manner makes or executes any engraved photograph, print, or impression by any process whatsoever in the similitude of any such licenses or identification cards with the intent to sell, issue, publish, or utter the same or to cause or permit the same to be used in forging or making any such false and counterfeit driver’s license or identification card of this state or any state or jurisdiction that issues licenses recognized in this state for the operation of a motor vehicle or that issues identification cards recognized in this state for the purpose of indicating a person’s true name and age is guilty of a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 1, ch. 65-278; s. 1, ch. 69-313; ss. 24, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 978, ch. 71-136; s. 32, ch. 73-334; s. 58, ch. 89-282; s. 1300, ch. 97-102; s. 5, ch. 97-206.
831.30 Medicinal drugs; fraud in obtaining.—Whoever:
(1) Falsely makes, alters, or forges any prescription, as defined in s. 465.003, for a medicinal drug other than a drug controlled by chapter 893;
(2) Knowingly causes such prescription to be falsely made, altered, forged, or counterfeited; or
(3) Passes, utters, or publishes such prescription or otherwise knowingly holds out such false or forged prescription as true

with intent to obtain such drug commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. A second or subsequent conviction constitutes a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History.—s. 1, ch. 71-331; s. 1, ch. 72-234; s. 30, ch. 73-331; s. 12, ch. 2010-117.
831.31 Counterfeit controlled substance; sale, manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver.—
(1) It is unlawful for any person to sell, manufacture, or deliver, or to possess with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, a counterfeit controlled substance. Any person who violates this subsection with respect to:
(a) A controlled substance named or described in s. 893.03(1), (2), (3), or (4) is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(b) A controlled substance named or described in s. 893.03(5) is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2) For purposes of this section, “counterfeit controlled substance” means:
(a) A controlled substance named or described in s. 893.03 which, or the container or labeling of which, without authorization bears the trademark, trade name, or other identifying mark, imprint, or number, or any likeness thereof, of a manufacturer other than the person who in fact manufactured the controlled substance; or
(b) Any substance which is falsely identified as a controlled substance named or described in s. 893.03.
History.—s. 2, ch. 81-53; s. 4, ch. 89-281; s. 2, ch. 92-19; s. 102, ch. 97-264; s. 104, ch. 99-3; s. 8, ch. 99-186; s. 18, ch. 2000-320; s. 8, ch. 2002-78.
831.311 Unlawful sale, manufacture, alteration, delivery, uttering, or possession of counterfeit-resistant prescription blanks for controlled substances.—
(1) It is unlawful for any person having the intent to injure or defraud any person or to facilitate any violation of s. 893.13 to sell, manufacture, alter, deliver, utter, or possess with intent to injure or defraud any person, or to facilitate any violation of s. 893.13, any counterfeit-resistant prescription blanks for controlled substances, the form and content of which are adopted by rule of the Department of Health pursuant to s. 893.065.
(2) Any person who violates this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2007-156.