eLaws of Florida

  SECTION 775.021. Rules of construction.  


Latest version.
  • 1(1) 2The provisions of this code and offenses defined by other statutes shall be strictly construed; when the language is susceptible of differing constructions, it shall be construed most favorably to the accused.
    34(2) 35The provisions of this chapter are applicable to offenses defined by other statutes, unless the code otherwise provides.
    53(3) 54This section does not affect the power of a court to punish for contempt or to employ any sanction authorized by law for the enforcement of an order or a civil judgment or decree.
    88(4)(a) 89Whoever, in the course of one criminal transaction or episode, commits an act or acts which constitute one or more separate criminal offenses, upon conviction and adjudication of guilt, shall be sentenced separately for each criminal offense; and the sentencing judge may order the sentences to be served concurrently or consecutively. For the purposes of this subsection, offenses are separate if each offense requires proof of an element that the other does not, without regard to the accusatory pleading or the proof adduced at trial.
    174(b) 175The intent of the Legislature is to convict and sentence for each criminal offense committed in the course of one criminal episode or transaction and not to allow the principle of lenity as set forth in subsection (1) to determine legislative intent. Exceptions to this rule of construction are:
    2241. 225Offenses which require identical elements of proof.
    2322. 233Offenses which are degrees of the same offense as provided by statute.
    2453. 246Offenses which are lesser offenses the statutory elements of which are subsumed by the greater offense.
    262(5) 263Whoever commits an act that violates a provision of this code or commits a criminal offense defined by another statute and thereby causes the death of, or bodily injury to, an unborn child commits a separate offense if the provision or statute does not otherwise specifically provide a separate offense for such death or injury to an unborn child.
    322(a) 323Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the punishment for a separate offense under this subsection is the same as the punishment provided under this code or other statute for that conduct had the injury or death occurred to the mother of the unborn child.
    368(b) 369An offense under this subsection does not require proof that the person engaging in the conduct:
    3851. 386Had knowledge or should have had knowledge that the victim of the underlying offense was pregnant; or
    4032. 404Intended to cause the death of, or bodily injury to, the unborn child.
    417(c) 418Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the death penalty may not be imposed for an offense under this subsection.
    437(d) 438This subsection does not permit the prosecution:
    4451. 446Of any person for conduct relating to an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman, or a person authorized by law to act on her behalf, has been obtained or for which such consent is implied by law;
    4862. 487Of a person for providing medical treatment of the pregnant woman or her unborn child; or
    5033. 504Of a woman with respect to her unborn child.
    513(e) 514As used in this subsection, the term “unborn child” means a member of the species 529Homo sapiens, 531at any stage of development, who is carried in the womb.
History.-s. 3, ch. 74-383; s. 1, ch. 76-66; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 1, ch. 83-156; s. 7, ch. 88-131; s. 2, ch. 2014-194.

Bills Cite this Section:

None

Cited by Court Cases:

None