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2018 Florida Statutes
Chapter 901
ARRESTS
ARRESTS
CHAPTER 901
ARRESTS
901.01 Judicial officers have committing authority.
901.02 Issuance of arrest warrants.
901.04 Direction and execution of warrant.
901.07 Admission to bail when arrest occurs in another county.
901.08 Issue of warrant when offense triable in another county.
901.09 When summons shall be issued.
901.10 How summons served.
901.11 Effect of not answering summons.
901.12 Summons against corporation.
901.14 Effect of failure by corporation to answer summons.
901.15 When arrest by officer without warrant is lawful.
901.1503 When notice to appear by officer without warrant is lawful.
901.1505 Federal law enforcement officers; powers.
901.151 Stop and Frisk Law.
901.16 Method of arrest by officer by a warrant.
901.17 Method of arrest by officer without warrant.
901.18 Officer may summon assistance.
901.19 Right of officer to break into building.
901.20 Use of force to effect release of person making arrest detained in building.
901.21 Search of person arrested.
901.211 Strip searches of persons arrested; body cavity search.
901.215 Search of person arrested for identifying device indicating a medical disability.
901.22 Arrest after escape or rescue.
901.24 Right of person arrested to consult attorney.
901.245 Interpreter services for deaf persons.
901.25 Fresh pursuit; arrest outside jurisdiction.
901.252 Authority to patrol municipally owned or leased property and facilities outside municipal limits; taking into custody outside territorial jurisdiction.
901.26 Arrest and detention of foreign nationals.
901.28 Notice to appear for misdemeanors or violations of municipal or county ordinances; effect on authority to conduct search.
901.29 Authorization to take person to medical facility.
901.31 Failure to obey written promise to appear.
901.35 Financial responsibility for medical expenses.
901.36 Prohibition against giving false name or false identification by person arrested or lawfully detained; penalties; court orders.
901.41 Prearrest diversion programs.
901.43 Dissemination of arrest booking photographs.
901.01 Judicial officers have committing authority.—Each state judicial officer is a conservator of the peace and has committing authority to issue warrants of arrest, commit offenders to jail, and recognize them to appear to answer the charge. He or she may require sureties of the peace when the peace has been substantially threatened or disturbed.
History.—s. 1, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(1); s. 1, ch. 70-338; s. 4, ch. 70-339; s. 34, ch. 73-334; s. 1451, ch. 97-102; s. 18, ch. 2004-11.
901.02 Issuance of arrest warrants.—
(1) A judge, upon examination of the complaint and proofs submitted, if satisfied that probable cause exists for the issuance of an arrest warrant for any crime committed within the judge’s jurisdiction, shall thereupon issue an arrest warrant signed by the judge with the judge’s name of office.
(2) The court may issue a warrant for the defendant’s arrest when all of the following circumstances apply:
(a) A complaint has been filed charging the commission of a misdemeanor only.
(b) The summons issued to the defendant has been returned unserved.
(c) The conditions of subsection (1) are met.
(3) A judge may electronically sign an arrest warrant if the requirements of subsection (1) or subsection (2) are met and the judge, based on an examination of the complaint and proofs submitted, determines that the complaint:
(a) Bears the affiant’s signature, or electronic signature if the complaint was submitted electronically.
(b) Is supported by an oath or affirmation administered by the judge or other person authorized by law to administer oaths.
(c) If submitted electronically, is submitted by reliable electronic means.
(4) An arrest warrant shall be deemed to be issued by a judge at the time the judge affixes the judge’s signature or electronic signature to the warrant. As used in this section, the term “electronic signature” has the same meaning as provided in s. 933.40.
History.—s. 2, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(2); s. 5, ch. 70-339; s. 1452, ch. 97-102; s. 1, ch. 99-169; s. 19, ch. 2004-11; s. 1, ch. 2013-247.
901.04 Direction and execution of warrant.—Warrants shall be directed to all sheriffs of the state. A warrant shall be executed only by the sheriff of the county in which the arrest is made unless the arrest is made in fresh pursuit, in which event it may be executed by any sheriff who is advised of the existence of the warrant. An arrest may be made on any day and at any time of the day or night.
History.—s. 4, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(4); s. 6, ch. 70-339; s. 34, ch. 73-334.
901.07 Admission to bail when arrest occurs in another county.—
(1) When an arrest by a warrant occurs in a county other than the one in which the alleged offense was committed and the warrant issued, if the person arrested has a right to bail, the arresting officer shall inform the person of his or her right and, upon request, shall take the person before a trial court judge or other official of the same county having authority to admit to bail. The official shall admit the person arrested to bail for his or her appearance before the trial court judge who issued the warrant.
(2) If the person arrested does not have a right to bail or, when informed of his or her right to bail, does not furnish bail immediately, the officer who made the arrest or the officer having the warrant shall take the person before the trial court judge who issued the warrant.
History.—s. 7, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(7); s. 6, ch. 70-339; s. 1453, ch. 97-102; s. 20, ch. 2004-11.
901.08 Issue of warrant when offense triable in another county.—
(1) When a complaint before a trial court judge charges the commission of an offense that is punishable by death or life imprisonment and is triable in another county of the state, but it appears that the person against whom the complaint is made is in the county where the complaint is made, the same proceedings for issuing a warrant shall be used as prescribed in this chapter, except that the warrant shall require the person against whom the complaint is made to be taken before a designated trial court judge of the county in which the offense is triable.
(2) If the person arrested has a right to bail, the officer making the arrest shall inform the person of his or her right to bail and, on request, shall take the person before a trial court judge or other official having authority to admit to bail in the county in which the arrest is made. The official shall admit the person to bail for his or her appearance before the trial court judge designated in the warrant.
(3) If the person arrested does not have a right to bail or, when informed of his or her right to bail, does not furnish bail immediately, he or she shall be taken before the trial court judge designated in the warrant.
History.—s. 8, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(8); s. 6, ch. 70-339; s. 1454, ch. 97-102; s. 21, ch. 2004-11.
901.09 When summons shall be issued.—
(1) When the complaint is for an offense that the trial court judge is empowered to try summarily, the trial court judge shall issue a summons instead of a warrant, unless she or he reasonably believes that the person against whom the complaint was made will not appear upon a summons, in which event the trial court judge shall issue a warrant.
(2) When the complaint is for a misdemeanor that the trial court judge is not empowered to try summarily, the trial court judge shall issue a summons instead of a warrant if she or he reasonably believes that the person against whom the complaint was made will appear upon a summons.
(3) The summons shall set forth substantially the nature of the offense and shall command the person against whom the complaint was made to appear before the trial court judge at a stated time and place.
History.—s. 9, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(9); s. 6, ch. 70-339; s. 1455, ch. 97-102; s. 22, ch. 2004-11.
901.10 How summons served.—A summons shall be served in the same manner as a summons in a civil action.
History.—s. 10, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(10); s. 6, ch. 70-339.
901.11 Effect of not answering summons.—Failure to appear as commanded by a summons without good cause is an indirect criminal contempt of court and may be punished by a fine of not more than $100. When a person fails to appear as commanded by a summons, the trial court judge shall issue a warrant. If the trial court judge acquires reason to believe that the person summoned will not appear as commanded after issuing a summons, the trial court judge may issue a warrant.
History.—s. 11, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(11); s. 6, ch. 70-339; s. 1456, ch. 97-102; s. 23, ch. 2004-11.
901.12 Summons against corporation.—When a complaint of an offense is made against a corporation, the trial court judge shall issue a summons that shall set forth substantially the nature of the offense and command the corporation to appear before the trial court judge at a stated time and place.
History.—s. 12, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(12); s. 6, ch. 70-339; s. 1457, ch. 97-102; s. 24, ch. 2004-11.
901.14 Effect of failure by corporation to answer summons.—If, after being summoned, the corporation does not appear, a plea of not guilty shall be entered by the court having jurisdiction to try the offense for which the summons was issued, and the court shall proceed to trial and judgment without further process.
History.—s. 14, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(14); s. 6, ch. 70-339.
901.15 When arrest by officer without warrant is lawful.—A law enforcement officer may arrest a person without a warrant when:
(1) The person has committed a felony or misdemeanor or violated a municipal or county ordinance in the presence of the officer. An arrest for the commission of a misdemeanor or the violation of a municipal or county ordinance shall be made immediately or in fresh pursuit.
(2) A felony has been committed and he or she reasonably believes that the person committed it.
(3) He or she reasonably believes that a felony has been or is being committed and that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing it.
(4) A warrant for the arrest has been issued and is held by another peace officer for execution.
(5) A violation of chapter 316 has been committed in the presence of the officer. Such an arrest may be made immediately or in fresh pursuit. Any law enforcement officer, upon receiving information relayed to him or her from a fellow officer stationed on the ground or in the air that a driver of a vehicle has violated chapter 316, may arrest the driver for violation of those laws when reasonable and proper identification of the vehicle and the violation has been communicated to the arresting officer.
(6) There is probable cause to believe that the person has committed a criminal act according to s. 790.233 or according to s. 741.31, s. 784.047, or s. 825.1036 which violates an injunction for protection entered pursuant to s. 741.30, s. 784.046, or s. 825.1035 or a foreign protection order accorded full faith and credit pursuant to s. 741.315, over the objection of the petitioner, if necessary.
(7) There is probable cause to believe that the person has committed an act of domestic violence, as defined in s. 741.28, or dating violence, as provided in s. 784.046. The decision to arrest shall not require consent of the victim or consideration of the relationship of the parties. It is the public policy of this state to strongly discourage arrest and charges of both parties for domestic violence or dating violence on each other and to encourage training of law enforcement and prosecutors in these areas. A law enforcement officer who acts in good faith and exercises due care in making an arrest under this subsection, under s. 741.31(4) or s. 784.047, or pursuant to a foreign order of protection accorded full faith and credit pursuant to s. 741.315, is immune from civil liability that otherwise might result by reason of his or her action.
(8) There is probable cause to believe that the person has committed child abuse, as defined in s. 827.03, or has violated s. 787.025, relating to luring or enticing a child for unlawful purposes. The decision to arrest does not require consent of the victim or consideration of the relationship of the parties. It is the public policy of this state to protect abused children by strongly encouraging the arrest and prosecution of persons who commit child abuse. A law enforcement officer who acts in good faith and exercises due care in making an arrest under this subsection is immune from civil liability that otherwise might result by reason of his or her action.
(9) There is probable cause to believe that the person has committed:
(a) Any battery upon another person, as defined in s. 784.03.
(b) An act of criminal mischief or a graffiti-related offense as described in s. 806.13.
(c) A violation of a safety zone, security zone, regulated navigation area, or naval vessel protection zone as described in s. 327.461.
(10) The officer has determined that he or she has probable cause to believe that a misdemeanor has been committed, based upon a signed affidavit provided to the officer by a law enforcement officer of the United States Government, recognized as such by United States statute, or a United States military law enforcement officer, recognized as such by the Uniform Code of Military Justice or the United States Department of Defense Regulations, when the misdemeanor was committed in the presence of the United States law enforcement officer or the United States military law enforcement officer on federal military property over which the state has maintained exclusive jurisdiction for such a misdemeanor.
(11)(a) A law enforcement officer of the Florida National Guard, recognized as such by the Uniform Code of Military Justice or the United States Department of Defense Regulations, has probable cause to believe a felony was committed on state military property or when a felony or misdemeanor was committed in his or her presence on such property.
(b) All law enforcement officers of the Florida National Guard shall promptly surrender all persons arrested and charged with a felony to the sheriff of the county within which the state military property is located, and all persons arrested and charged with misdemeanors shall be surrendered to the applicable authority as may be provided by law, but otherwise to the sheriff of the county in which the state military property is located. The Florida National Guard shall promptly notify the applicable law enforcement agency of an arrest and the location of the prisoner.
(c) The Adjutant General, in consultation with the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, shall prescribe minimum training standards for such law enforcement officers of the Florida National Guard.
(12) He or she is employed by the State of Florida as a law enforcement officer as defined in s. 943.10(1) or part-time law enforcement officer as defined in s. 943.10(6), and:
(a) He or she reasonably believes that a felony involving violence has been or is being committed and that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing the felony;
(b) While engaged in the exercise of his or her state law enforcement duties, the officer reasonably believes that a felony has been or is being committed; or
(c) A felony warrant for the arrest has been issued and is being held for execution by another peace officer.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the authority of an officer pursuant to this subsection is statewide. This subsection does not limit the arrest authority conferred on such officer by any other provision of law.
(13) There is probable cause to believe that the person has committed an act that violates a condition of pretrial release provided in s. 903.047 when the original arrest was for an act of domestic violence as defined in s. 741.28, or when the original arrest was for an act of dating violence as defined in s. 784.046.
(14) There is probable cause to believe that the person has committed trespass in a secure area of an airport when signs are posted in conspicuous areas of the airport which notify that unauthorized entry into such areas constitutes a trespass and specify the methods for gaining authorized access to such areas. An arrest under this subsection may be made on or off airport premises. A law enforcement officer who acts in good faith and exercises due care in making an arrest under this subsection is immune from civil liability that otherwise might result by reason of the law enforcement officer’s action.
(15) There is probable cause to believe that the person has committed assault upon a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, an emergency medical care provider, public transit employees or agents, or other specified officers as set forth in s. 784.07 or has committed assault or battery upon any employee of a receiving facility as defined in s. 394.455 who is engaged in the lawful performance of his or her duties.
(16) There is probable cause to believe that the person has committed a criminal act of sexual cyberharassment as described in s. 784.049.
History.—s. 15, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(15); s. 1, ch. 21782, 1943; s. 6, ch. 70-339; s. 4, ch. 71-982; s. 1, ch. 77-67; s. 1, ch. 83-119; s. 11, ch. 84-343; s. 1, ch. 85-198; s. 2, ch. 85-216; s. 1, ch. 86-130; s. 102, ch. 86-220; s. 1, ch. 87-45; s. 1, ch. 87-285; s. 2, ch. 88-344; s. 4, ch. 88-373; ss. 53, 71, ch. 88-381; s. 1, ch. 90-165; s. 68, ch. 91-110; s. 7, ch. 91-210; ss. 27, 29, ch. 94-134; ss. 27, 29, ch. 94-135; s. 20, ch. 95-195; s. 4, ch. 96-215; s. 24, ch. 96-322; s. 8, ch. 96-392; s. 68, ch. 96-413; ss. 1830, 1831, 1832, ch. 97-102; s. 10, ch. 97-155; s. 2, ch. 97-298; s. 2, ch. 98-93; s. 4, ch. 98-284; s. 105, ch. 99-3; s. 57, ch. 99-193; s. 6, ch. 2000-369; s. 1, ch. 2002-255; s. 4, ch. 2004-17; s. 7, ch. 2004-74; s. 8, ch. 2006-299; s. 4, ch. 2007-112; s. 3, ch. 2008-252; s. 9, ch. 2009-215; s. 4, ch. 2015-17; s. 2, ch. 2015-24; s. 7, ch. 2016-187; s. 4, ch. 2018-100.
1901.1503 When notice to appear by officer without warrant is lawful.—A law enforcement officer may give a notice to appear to a person without a warrant when the officer has determined that he or she has probable cause to believe that a violation of s. 509.144 has been committed and the owner or manager of the public lodging establishment in which the violation occurred and one additional affiant sign an affidavit containing information that supports the officer’s determination of probable cause.
History.—s. 13, ch. 2011-119.
1Note.—Section 15, ch. 2011-119, provides that “[t]he amendments made to ss. 509.144 and 932.701, Florida Statutes, and the creation of s. 901.1503, Florida Statutes, by this act do not affect or impede the provisions of s. 790.251, Florida Statutes, or any other protection or right guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.”
901.1505 Federal law enforcement officers; powers.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “federal law enforcement officer” means a person who is employed by the Federal Government as a full-time law enforcement officer as defined by the applicable provisions of the United States Code, who is empowered to effect an arrest for violations of the United States Code, who is authorized to carry firearms in the performance of her or his duties, and who has received law enforcement training equivalent to that prescribed in s. 943.13.
(2) Every federal law enforcement officer has the following authority:
(a) To make a warrantless arrest of any person who has committed a felony or misdemeanor as defined by state statute, which felony or misdemeanor involves violence, in the presence of the officer while the officer is engaged in the exercise of her or his federal law enforcement duties. If the officer reasonably believes that such a felony or misdemeanor as defined by state statute has been committed in her or his presence, the officer may make a warrantless arrest of any person whom she or he reasonably believes to have committed such felony or misdemeanor.
(b) To use any force which the officer reasonably believes to be necessary to defend herself or himself or another from bodily harm while making the arrest or any force necessarily committed in arresting any felon fleeing from justice when the officer reasonably believes either that the fleeing felon poses a threat of death or serious physical harm to the officer or others or that the fleeing felon has committed a crime involving the infliction or threatened infliction of serious physical harm to another person.
(c) To conduct a warrantless search incident to the arrest, as provided in s. 901.21, and to conduct any other constitutionally permissible search pursuant to the officer’s lawful duties.
(d) To possess firearms; and to seize weapons in order to protect herself or himself from attack, prevent the escape of an arrested person, or assure the subsequent lawful custody of the fruits of a crime or the articles used in the commission of a crime, as provided in s. 901.21.
History.—s. 1, ch. 91-43; s. 1458, ch. 97-102.
901.151 Stop and Frisk Law.—
(1) This section may be known and cited as the “Florida Stop and Frisk Law.”
(2) Whenever any law enforcement officer of this state encounters any person under circumstances which reasonably indicate that such person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a violation of the criminal laws of this state or the criminal ordinances of any municipality or county, the officer may temporarily detain such person for the purpose of ascertaining the identity of the person temporarily detained and the circumstances surrounding the person’s presence abroad which led the officer to believe that the person had committed, was committing, or was about to commit a criminal offense.
(3) No person shall be temporarily detained under the provisions of subsection (2) longer than is reasonably necessary to effect the purposes of that subsection. Such temporary detention shall not extend beyond the place where it was first effected or the immediate vicinity thereof.
(4) If at any time after the onset of the temporary detention authorized by subsection (2), probable cause for arrest of person shall appear, the person shall be arrested. If, after an inquiry into the circumstances which prompted the temporary detention, no probable cause for the arrest of the person shall appear, the person shall be released.
(5) Whenever any law enforcement officer authorized to detain temporarily any person under the provisions of subsection (2) has probable cause to believe that any person whom the officer has temporarily detained, or is about to detain temporarily, is armed with a dangerous weapon and therefore offers a threat to the safety of the officer or any other person, the officer may search such person so temporarily detained only to the extent necessary to disclose, and for the purpose of disclosing, the presence of such weapon. If such a search discloses such a weapon or any evidence of a criminal offense it may be seized.
(6) No evidence seized by a law enforcement officer in any search under this section shall be admissible against any person in any court of this state or political subdivision thereof unless the search which disclosed its existence was authorized by and conducted in compliance with the provisions of subsections (2)-(5).
History.—ss. 1, 2, ch. 69-73; s. 1459, ch. 97-102.
901.16 Method of arrest by officer by a warrant.—A peace officer making an arrest by a warrant shall inform the person to be arrested of the cause of arrest and that a warrant has been issued, except when the person flees or forcibly resists before the officer has an opportunity to inform the person, or when giving the information will imperil the arrest. The officer need not have the warrant in his or her possession at the time of arrest but on request of the person arrested shall show it to the person as soon as practicable.
History.—s. 16, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(16); s. 6, ch. 70-339; s. 1460, ch. 97-102.
901.17 Method of arrest by officer without warrant.—A peace officer making an arrest without a warrant shall inform the person to be arrested of the officer’s authority and the cause of arrest except when the person flees or forcibly resists before the officer has an opportunity to inform the person or when giving the information will imperil the arrest.
History.—s. 17, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(17); s. 6, ch. 70-339; s. 1461, ch. 97-102.
901.18 Officer may summon assistance.—A peace officer making a lawful arrest may command the aid of persons she or he deems necessary to make the arrest. A person commanded to aid shall render assistance as directed by the officer. A person commanded to aid a peace officer shall have the same authority to arrest as that peace officer and shall not be civilly liable for any reasonable conduct in rendering assistance to that officer.
History.—s. 18, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(18); s. 7, ch. 70-339; s. 1462, ch. 97-102.
901.19 Right of officer to break into building.—
(1) If a peace officer fails to gain admittance after she or he has announced her or his authority and purpose in order to make an arrest either by a warrant or when authorized to make an arrest for a felony without a warrant, the officer may use all necessary and reasonable force to enter any building or property where the person to be arrested is or is reasonably believed to be.
(2) When any of the implements, devices, or apparatus commonly used for gambling purposes are found in any house, room, booth, or other place used for the purpose of gambling, a peace officer shall seize and hold them subject to the discretion of the court, to be used as evidence, and afterwards they shall be publicly destroyed in the presence of witnesses under order of the court to that effect.
History.—s. 19, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(19); s. 8, ch. 70-339; s. 1463, ch. 97-102.
901.20 Use of force to effect release of person making arrest detained in building.—A peace officer may use any reasonable force to liberate himself or herself or another person from detention in a building entered for the purpose of making a lawful arrest.
History.—s. 20, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(20); s. 9, ch. 70-339; s. 1464, ch. 97-102.
901.21 Search of person arrested.—
(1) When a lawful arrest is effected, a peace officer may search the person arrested and the area within the person’s immediate presence for the purpose of:
(a) Protecting the officer from attack;
(b) Preventing the person from escaping; or
(c) Discovering the fruits of a crime.
(2) A peace officer making a lawful search without a warrant may seize all instruments, articles, or things discovered on the person arrested or within the person’s immediate control, the seizure of which is reasonably necessary for the purpose of:
(a) Protecting the officer from attack;
(b) Preventing the escape of the arrested person; or
(c) Assuring subsequent lawful custody of the fruits of a crime or of the articles used in the commission of a crime.
History.—s. 21, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(21); s. 10, ch. 70-339.
901.211 Strip searches of persons arrested; body cavity search.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “strip search” means having an arrested person remove or arrange some or all of his or her clothing so as to permit a visual or manual inspection of the genitals; buttocks; anus; breasts, in the case of a female; or undergarments of such person.
(2) No person arrested for a traffic, regulatory, or misdemeanor offense, except in a case which is violent in nature, which involves a weapon, or which involves a controlled substance, shall be strip searched unless:
(a) There is probable cause to believe that the individual is concealing a weapon, a controlled substance, or stolen property; or
(b) A judge at first appearance has found that the person arrested cannot be released either on recognizance or bond and therefore shall be incarcerated in the county jail.
(3) Each strip search shall be performed by a person of the same gender as the arrested person and on premises where the search cannot be observed by persons not physically conducting or observing the search pursuant to this section. Any observer shall be of the same gender as the arrested person.
(4) Any body cavity search must be performed under sanitary conditions.
(5) No law enforcement officer shall order a strip search within the agency or facility without obtaining the written authorization of the supervising officer on duty.
(6) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting any statutory or common-law right of any person for purposes of any civil action or injunctive relief.
History.—s. 2, ch. 81-313; s. 171, ch. 83-216; s. 1, ch. 83-254.
901.215 Search of person arrested for identifying device indicating a medical disability.—Every law enforcement officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, or other arresting officer shall, when arresting any person who appears to be inebriated, intoxicated, or not in control of his or her physical functions, examine such person to ascertain whether or not the person is wearing a medic-alert bracelet or necklace or has upon his or her person some other visible identifying device which would specifically delineate a medical disability which would account for the actions of such person. Any arresting officer who does, in fact, discover such identifying device upon such person shall take immediate steps to aid the afflicted person in receiving medication or other treatment for his or her disability.
History.—s. 1, ch. 74-25; s. 1465, ch. 97-102.
901.22 Arrest after escape or rescue.—If a person lawfully arrested escapes or is rescued, the person from whose custody she or he escapes or was rescued or any other officer may immediately pursue and retake the person arrested without a warrant at any time and in any place.
History.—s. 22, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(22); s. 11, ch. 70-339; s. 1466, ch. 97-102.
901.24 Right of person arrested to consult attorney.—A person arrested shall be allowed to consult with any attorney entitled to practice in this state, alone and in private at the place of custody, as often and for such periods of time as is reasonable.
History.—s. 24, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(24); s. 13, ch. 70-339.
901.245 Interpreter services for deaf persons.—In the event that a person who is deaf is arrested and taken into custody for an alleged violation of a criminal law of this state, the services of a qualified interpreter shall be sought prior to interrogating such deaf person. If the services of a qualified interpreter cannot be obtained, the arresting officer may interrogate or take a statement from such person provided such interrogation and the answers thereto shall be in writing. The interrogation and the answers thereto shall be preserved and turned over to the court in the event such person is tried for the alleged offense.
History.—s. 6, ch. 80-155.
901.25 Fresh pursuit; arrest outside jurisdiction.—
(1) The term “fresh pursuit” as used in this act shall include fresh pursuit as defined by the common law and also the pursuit of a person who has committed a felony or who is reasonably suspected of having committed a felony. It shall also include the pursuit of a person suspected of having committed a supposed felony, though no felony has actually been committed, if there is reasonable ground for believing that a felony has been committed. It shall also include the pursuit of a person who has violated a county or municipal ordinance or chapter 316 or has committed a misdemeanor.
(2) Any duly authorized state, county, or municipal arresting officer is authorized to arrest a person outside the officer’s jurisdiction when in fresh pursuit. Such officer shall have the same authority to arrest and hold such person in custody outside his or her jurisdiction, subject to the limitations hereafter set forth, as has any authorized arresting state, county, or municipal officer of this state to arrest and hold in custody a person not arrested in fresh pursuit.
(3) If an arrest is made in this state by an officer outside the county within which his or her jurisdiction lies, the officer shall immediately notify the officer in charge of the jurisdiction in which the arrest is made. Such officer in charge of the jurisdiction shall, along with the officer making the arrest, take the person so arrested before a trial court judge of the county in which the arrest was made without unnecessary delay.
(4) The employing agency of the state, county, or municipal officer making an arrest on fresh pursuit shall be liable for all actions of said officer in the same fashion that it is liable for the officer’s acts made while making an arrest within his or her jurisdiction.
(5) The officer making an arrest on fresh pursuit shall be fully protected with respect to pension, retirement, workers’ compensation, and other such benefits just as if the officer had made an arrest in his or her own jurisdiction.
History.—s. 1, ch. 63-515; s. 14, ch. 70-339; s. 1, ch. 78-246; s. 120, ch. 79-40; s. 1, ch. 81-313; s. 2, ch. 83-119; s. 1467, ch. 97-102; s. 25, ch. 2004-11.
901.252 Authority to patrol municipally owned or leased property and facilities outside municipal limits; taking into custody outside territorial jurisdiction.—
(1) A duly constituted law enforcement officer employed by a municipality may patrol property and facilities which are owned or leased by the municipality but are outside the jurisdictional limits of the municipality, and, when there is probable cause to believe a person has committed or is committing a violation of state law or of a county or municipal ordinance on such property or facilities, may take the person into custody and detain the person in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time. The law enforcement officer employed by the municipality shall immediately call a law enforcement officer with jurisdiction over the property or facility on which the violation occurred after detaining a person under this subsection.
(2) A law enforcement officer employed by a municipality who detains a person under subsection (1) is not civilly or criminally liable for false arrest, false imprisonment, or unlawful detention on the basis of any reasonable actions taken in compliance with subsection (1).
History.—s. 1, ch. 91-174; s. 1468, ch. 97-102; s. 1, ch. 2001-105.
901.26 Arrest and detention of foreign nationals.—Failure to provide consular notification under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations or other bilateral consular conventions shall not be a defense in any criminal proceeding against any foreign national and shall not be cause for the foreign national’s discharge from custody.
History.—ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 65-523; ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 15, ch. 70-339; s. 1469, ch. 97-102; s. 5, ch. 2001-200.
901.28 Notice to appear for misdemeanors or violations of municipal or county ordinances; effect on authority to conduct search.—The issuance of a notice to appear shall not be construed to affect a law enforcement officer’s authority to conduct an otherwise lawful search, as provided by law.
History.—s. 1, ch. 73-27; s. 7, ch. 85-77.
901.29 Authorization to take person to medical facility.—Even though a notice to appear is issued, a law enforcement officer shall be authorized to take a person to a medical facility for such care as appropriate.
History.—s. 1, ch. 73-27.
901.31 Failure to obey written promise to appear.—Any person who willfully fails to appear before any court or judicial officer as required by a written notice to appear shall be fined not more than the fine of the principal charge or imprisoned up to the maximum sentence of imprisonment of the principal charge, or both, regardless of the disposition of the charge upon which the person was originally arrested. Nothing in this section shall interfere with or prevent the court from exercising its power to punish for contempt.
History.—s. 1, ch. 73-27; s. 1470, ch. 97-102.
901.35 Financial responsibility for medical expenses.—
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the responsibility for paying the expenses of medical care, treatment, hospitalization, and transportation for any person ill, wounded, or otherwise injured during or at the time of arrest for any violation of a state law or a county or municipal ordinance is the responsibility of the person receiving such care, treatment, hospitalization, and transportation. The provider of such services shall seek reimbursement for the expenses incurred in providing medical care, treatment, hospitalization, and transportation from the following sources in the following order:
(a) From an insurance company, health care corporation, or other source, if the prisoner is covered by an insurance policy or subscribes to a health care corporation or other source for those expenses.
(b) From the person receiving the medical care, treatment, hospitalization, or transportation.
(c) From a financial settlement for the medical care, treatment, hospitalization, or transportation payable or accruing to the injured party.
(2) Upon a showing that reimbursement from the sources listed in subsection (1) is not available, the costs of medical care, treatment, hospitalization, and transportation shall be paid:
(a) From the general fund of the county in which the person was arrested, if the arrest was for violation of a state law or county ordinance; or
(b) From the municipal general fund, if the arrest was for violation of a municipal ordinance.
The responsibility for payment of such medical costs shall exist until such time as an arrested person is released from the custody of the arresting agency.
(3) An arrested person who has health insurance, subscribes to a health care corporation, or receives health care benefits from any other source shall assign such benefits to the health care provider.
History.—s. 1, ch. 83-189; s. 17, ch. 90-211.
901.36 Prohibition against giving false name or false identification by person arrested or lawfully detained; penalties; court orders.—
(1) It is unlawful for a person who has been arrested or lawfully detained by a law enforcement officer to give a false name, or otherwise falsely identify himself or herself in any way, to the law enforcement officer or any county jail personnel. Except as provided in subsection (2), any person who violates this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2) A person who violates subsection (1), if such violation results in another person being adversely affected by the unlawful use of his or her name or other identification, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(3)(a) In sentencing a person for violation of this section, a court may order restitution.
(b) The sentencing court may issue such orders as are necessary to correct any public record because it contains a false name or other false identification information given in violation of this section.
(c) Upon application to the court, a person adversely affected by the unlawful use of his or her name or other identification in violation of this section may obtain from the court orders necessary to correct any public record, as described in paragraph (b).
History.—s. 2, ch. 99-169.
901.41 Prearrest diversion programs.—
(1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—The Legislature encourages local communities and public or private educational institutions to implement prearrest diversion programs that afford certain adults who fulfill specified intervention and community service obligations the opportunity to avoid an arrest record. The Legislature does not mandate that a particular prearrest diversion program for adults be adopted, but finds that the adoption of the model program provided in this section would allow certain adults to avoid an arrest record while ensuring that they receive appropriate services and fulfill their community service obligations. If a prearrest diversion program is implemented, the program is encouraged to share information with other prearrest diversion programs.
(2) MODEL PREARREST DIVERSION PROGRAM.—Local communities and public or private educational institutions may adopt a prearrest diversion program in which:
(a) Law enforcement officers, at their sole discretion, may issue a civil citation or similar prearrest diversion program notice to certain adults who commit a qualifying misdemeanor offense, as determined by the representatives that develop the program under subsection (3). A civil citation or similar prearrest diversion program notice may be issued if the adult who commits the offense:
1. Admits that he or she committed the offense or does not contest the offense; and
2. Has not previously been arrested and has not received an adult civil citation or similar prearrest diversion program notice, unless the terms of the local adult prearrest diversion program allow otherwise. The local adult prearrest diversion program shall establish a limit on the number of times an eligible adult may participate in the program.
(b) An adult who receives a civil citation or similar prearrest diversion program notice shall report for intake as required by the local prearrest diversion program and must be provided appropriate assessment, intervention, education, and behavioral health care services by the program. While in the local prearrest diversion program, the adult shall perform community service hours as specified by the program. The adult shall pay restitution due to the victim as a program requirement. If the adult does not successfully complete the prearrest diversion program, the law enforcement officer must determine if there is good cause to arrest the adult for the original misdemeanor offense and, if so, refer the case to the state attorney to determine whether prosecution is appropriate or, in the absence of a finding of good cause, allow the adult to continue in the program.
(3) PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT; IMPLEMENTATION; OPERATION.—
(a) Representatives of participating law enforcement agencies, a representative of the program services provider, the public defender, the state attorney, and the clerk of the circuit court shall create the prearrest diversion program and develop its policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, eligibility criteria, program implementation and operation, and the determination of the fee, if any, to be paid by adults participating in the program. In developing the program’s policies and procedures, which must include the designation of the misdemeanor offenses that qualify adults for participation in the program, the representatives must solicit input from other interested stakeholders. The program may be operated by an entity such as a law enforcement agency or a county or municipality, or other entity selected by the county or municipality.
(b) Upon intake of an adult participating in the prearrest diversion program, the program operator shall electronically provide the participant’s personal identifying information to the clerk of the circuit court for the county in which the program provides services. Such information is not a court record, and the clerk of the circuit court shall maintain the confidentiality of the participant’s personal identifying information as provided in 1subsection (5). The clerk of the circuit court shall maintain such information in a statewide database, which must provide a single point of access for all such statewide information. If the program imposes a participation fee, the clerk of the circuit court must receive a reasonable portion, to be determined by the stakeholders creating the program, for receipt and maintenance of the required information. The fee shall be deposited by the clerk of the circuit court into the fine and forfeiture fund established under s. 142.01.
(4) APPLICABILITY.—This section does not preempt a county or municipality from enacting noncriminal sanctions for a violation of an ordinance or other violation, and it does not preempt a county, a municipality, or a public or private educational institution from creating its own model for a prearrest diversion program for adults.
(5) ELIGIBILITY.—A violent misdemeanor, a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, as defined in s. 741.28, or a misdemeanor under s. 741.29, s. 741.31, s. 784.046, s. 784.047, s. 784.048, s. 784.0487, or s. 784.049 does not qualify for a civil citation or prearrest diversion program.
History.—s. 3, ch. 2018-127.
1Note.—Subsection (5) references eligibility for the program, not confidential information. Senate Bill 1394 and House Bill 1199, 2018 Regular Session, provided for amendment of s. 901.41 to add an exemption from public records requirements for the personal identifying information of program participants, but neither bill passed.
901.43 Dissemination of arrest booking photographs.—
(1) Any person or entity engaged in the business of publishing through a publicly accessible print or electronic medium or otherwise disseminating arrest booking photographs of persons who have previously been arrested may not solicit or accept a fee or other form of payment to remove the photographs.
(2) A person whose arrest booking photograph is published or otherwise disseminated, or his or her legal representative, may make a request, in writing, for the removal of an arrest booking photograph to the registered agent of the person or entity who published or otherwise disseminated the photograph. The written request for removal of the arrest booking photograph must be sent by registered mail and include sufficient proof of identification of the person whose arrest booking photograph was published or otherwise disseminated and specific information identifying the arrest booking photograph that the written request is seeking to remove. Within 10 days of receipt of the written request for removal of the arrest booking photograph, the person or entity who published or otherwise disseminated the photograph shall remove the arrest booking photograph without charge.
(3) The person whose arrest booking photograph was published or otherwise disseminated in the publication or electronic medium may bring a civil action to enjoin the continued publication or dissemination of the photograph if the photograph is not removed within 10 calendar days after receipt of the written request for removal. The court may impose a civil penalty of $1,000 per day for noncompliance with an injunction and shall award reasonable attorney fees and court costs related to the issuance and enforcement of the injunction. Moneys recovered for civil penalties under this section shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund.
(4) Refusal to remove an arrest booking photograph after written request has been made constitutes an unfair or deceptive trade practice in accordance with part II of chapter 501.
(5) This section does not apply to any person or entity that publishes or disseminates information relating to arrest booking photographs unless the person or entity solicits or accepts payment to remove the photographs.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2017-130.