CHAPTER 910
JURISDICTION AND VENUE chapter 910
910.005 State criminal jurisdiction.
910.006 State special maritime criminal jurisdiction.
910.01 Offenses committed partly in this state.
910.02 Offense committed while in transit.
910.03 Place of trial generally.
910.035 Transfer from county for plea and sentence.
910.04 Where aider in one county and offense committed
in another.
910.05 Where acts constituting one offense are
committed in two or more counties.
910.06 Where person in one county commits offense in
another.
910.09 Cause of death inflicted in one county and death
occurs in another.
910.10 Where stolen property brought into another
county.
910.11 Conviction or acquittal bar to prosecution.
910.12 Trial of aider.
910.13 Accessory after the fact.
910.14 Kidnapping.
910.15 Theft and fraudulent practices concerning
communication systems.
910.16 Venue; public meetings law violations.
910.005 State criminal jurisdiction.--
(1) A person is subject to prosecution in this state
for an offense that she or he commits, while either within or
outside the state, by her or his own conduct or that of another
for which the person is legally accountable, if:
(a) The offense is committed wholly or partly within
the state;
(b) The conduct outside the state constitutes an
attempt to commit an offense within the state;
(c) The conduct outside the state constitutes a
conspiracy to commit an offense within the state, and an act in
furtherance of the conspiracy occurs in the state;
(d) The conduct within the state constitutes an attempt
or conspiracy to commit in another jurisdiction an offense under
the laws of both this state and the other jurisdiction; or
(e) The conduct constitutes a knowing violation of s.
286.011.
(2) An offense is committed partly within this state if
either the conduct that is an element of the offense or the
result that is an element, occurs within the state. In homicide,
the "result" is either the physical contact that
causes death, or the death itself; and if the body of a homicide
victim is found within the state, the death is presumed to have
occurred within the state.
(3) An offense that is based on an omission to perform
a duty imposed by the law of this state is committed within the
state, regardless of the location of the offender at the time of
the omission.
History.--s. 72, ch. 70-339; s. 2, ch. 95-353; s. 1510,
ch. 97-102.
910.006 State special maritime criminal jurisdiction.--
(1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.--
(a) The State of Florida is a major center for
international travel and trade by sea.
(b) The state has an interest in ensuring the
protection of persons traveling to or from Florida by sea.
(c) The state has an interest in cooperating with the
masters of ships and the governments of the United States and
the other states in the maintenance of law and order on board
ship.
(d) The interests of the state do not in principle
require a general assertion of primary jurisdiction over acts or
omissions at sea that would duplicate or conflict with the
execution of any law enforcement responsibility of any other
jurisdiction.
(e) The State of Florida should establish special
maritime criminal jurisdiction extending to acts or omissions on
board ships outside of the state under the circumstances
delimited in this section.
(2) DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section:
(a) "Flag state" means the state under whose
laws a ship is registered.
(b) "Ship" means any watercraft or other
contrivance used, capable of being used, or intended to be used
as a means of transportation on water, and all phases of
construction of such watercraft or contrivance.
(c) "State" means any foreign state, the
United States or any state, territory, possession, or
commonwealth thereof, or the District of Columbia.
(3) SPECIAL MARITIME CRIMINAL JURISDICTION.--The
special maritime criminal jurisdiction of the state extends to
acts or omissions on board a ship outside of the state under any
of the following circumstances:
(a) There is a suspect on board the ship who is a
citizen or resident of this state or a state which consents to
the jurisdiction of this state.
(b) The master of the ship or an official of the flag
state commits a suspect on board the ship to the custody of a
law enforcement officer acting under the authority of this
state.
(c) The state in whose territory the act or omission
occurred requests the exercise of jurisdiction by this state.
(d) The act or omission occurs during a voyage on which
over half of the revenue passengers on board the ship originally
embarked and plan to finally disembark in this state, without
regard to intermediate stopovers.
(e) The victim is a Florida law enforcement officer on
board the ship in connection with his or her official duties.
(f) The act or omission is one of violence, detention,
or depredation generally recognized as criminal, and the victim
is a resident of this state.
(g) The act or omission causes or constitutes an
attempt or conspiracy to cause a substantial effect in this
state that is an element of the offense charged.
(h) The act or omission is one with respect to which
all states may exercise criminal jurisdiction under
international law or treaty.
(4) CRIMINAL PENALTY APPLICATION.--An act or omission
against the person or property of another that is punishable by
law when committed within this state shall be punishable in the
same manner when committed within the special maritime criminal
jurisdiction of this state, provided that the criminal laws of
the United States prohibit substantially the same act or
omission on board ships of the United States registry outside of
the territory of the United States. Except for the circumstances
that are within the criteria of paragraph (3)(g) or paragraph
(3)(h), it shall be an affirmative defense that the act or
omission was authorized by the master of the ship or an officer
of the flag state in accordance with the laws of the flag state
and international law. No person shall be tried under this
section if that person has been tried in good faith by another
state for substantially the same act or omission.
(5) ENFORCEMENT LIMITATIONS.--
(a) The Attorney General shall take all measures
necessary to ensure that law enforcement officers and
prosecutors acting under the authority of this state respect the
following criteria in applying the provisions of this section:
1. This section is not intended to assert priority over
or otherwise interfere with the exercise of criminal
jurisdiction by the United States, the flag state, or the state
in whose territory an act or omission occurs.
2. This section shall be administered in a manner
consistent with international law, with the primary
responsibility of the flag state for the maintenance of order on
board ship, and with the responsibilities of the Federal
Government under the Constitution, treaties, and laws of the
United States.
3. This section shall be applied with the cooperation
of the flag state and the master of the ship where feasible.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to:
1. Authorize the boarding, search, or detention of a
ship or of persons or property on board a ship without the
consent of the flag state or the master of the ship if the ship
is located outside of this state or if the necessary law
enforcement activities are otherwise beyond the jurisdiction of
this state or the United States.
2. Restrict the application or enforcement of other
laws of this state or the duty of law enforcement officers to
protect human life, property, or the marine environment from
imminent harm.
3. Constitute an assertion of jurisdiction over acts or
omissions of military or law enforcement officers authorized by
a state in accordance with international laws.
4. Prohibit the operation of gambling, games of chance,
or other gambling activities otherwise allowable outside the
territorial waters of the State of Florida.
History.--s. 1, ch. 89-201; s. 1511, ch. 97-102.
910.01 Offenses committed partly in this state.--
(1) If the commission of an offense commenced outside
the state is consummated within this state, the offender shall
be tried in the county where the offense is consummated.
(2) If the commission of an offense commenced within
this state is consummated outside the state, the offender shall
be tried in the county where the offense is commenced.
History.--RS 2360; GS 3185; RGS 5015; CGL 7117; s. 160,
ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8663(167); s. 73, ch. 70-339.
Note.--Former s. 932.07.
910.02 Offense committed while in transit.--
If an offense is committed on a railroad car, vehicle,
watercraft, or aircraft traveling within this state and it is
not known in which county the offense was committed, the accused
may be tried in any county through which the railroad car,
vehicle, watercraft, or aircraft has traveled. The accused is
entitled to elect the county in which she or he will be tried,
as provided in s. 910.03.
History.--ss. 161, 166, 167, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940
Supp. 8663(168), (173), (174); s. 74, ch. 70-339; s. 1512, ch.
97-102.
Note.--Former ss. 910.07, 910.08.
910.03 Place of trial generally.--
(1) Except as provided in s. 910.035 or in subsection
(2), criminal prosecutions shall be tried in the county where
the offense was committed; but if the county is not known, the
accused may be charged in two or more counties conjunctively,
and before trial the accused may elect the county in which he or
she will be tried. By his or her election, the accused waives
the right to trial in the county in which the crime was
committed. Such election shall have the force and effect of the
granting of an application of the accused for change of venue
from the county in which the offense was committed to the county
in which the case is tried.
(2) After a court orders a change of venue and in order
to protect the defendant's due process rights, the court, upon a
motion of any party, shall give priority to any county which
closely resembles the demographic composition of the county
wherein the original venue would lie.
(3) If a court finds that a fair and impartial jury
cannot be impaneled in the county where the offense was
committed, and the court determines that once a jury is selected
it shall be sequestered, the court on its own motion, or upon a
motion of any party, may elect to select a jury from a county
other than where the offense was committed. The selection of the
alternative county will be governed by the requirements of
subsection (2). Upon completion of jury selection, the jury
shall be brought for trial to the county where the offense was
committed.
History.--s. 162, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp.
8663(169); s. 75, ch. 70-339; s. 2, ch. 72-45; s. 1, ch. 93-225;
s. 1, ch. 94-184; s. 1513, ch. 97-102.
910.035 Transfer from county for plea and sentence.--
(1) INDICTMENT OR INFORMATION PENDING.--A defendant
arrested or held in a county other than that in which an
indictment or information is pending against him or her may
state in writing that he or she wishes to plead guilty or nolo
contendere, to waive trial in the county in which the indictment
or information is pending, and to consent to disposition of the
case in the county in which the defendant was arrested or is
held, subject to the approval of the prosecuting attorney of the
court in which the indictment or information is pending. Upon
receipt of the defendant's statement and the written approval of
the prosecuting attorney, the clerk of the court in which the
indictment or information is pending shall transmit the papers
in the proceeding, or certified copies thereof, to the clerk of
the court of competent jurisdiction for the county in which the
defendant is held, and the prosecution shall continue in that
county upon the information or indictment originally filed. In
the event a fine is imposed upon the defendant in that county,
two-thirds thereof shall be returned to the county in which the
indictment or information was originally filed.
(2) INDICTMENT OR INFORMATION NOT PENDING.--A defendant
arrested on a warrant issued upon a complaint in a county other
than the county of arrest may state in writing that he or she
wishes to plead guilty or nolo contendere, to waive trial in the
county in which the warrant was issued, and to consent to
disposition of the case in the county in which the defendant was
arrested, subject to the approval of the prosecuting attorney of
the court in which the indictment or information is pending.
Upon receipt of the defendant's statement and the written
approval of the prosecuting attorney, and upon the filing of an
information or the return of an indictment, the clerk of the
court from which the warrant was issued shall transmit the
papers in the proceeding, or certified copies thereof, to the
clerk of the court of competent jurisdiction in the county in
which the defendant was arrested, and the prosecution shall
continue in that county upon the information or indictment
originally filed.
(3) EFFECT OF NOT GUILTY PLEA.--If, after the
proceeding has been transferred pursuant to subsection (1) or
subsection (2), the defendant pleads not guilty, the clerk shall
return the papers to the court in which the prosecution was
commenced, and the proceeding shall be restored to the docket of
that court. The defendant's statement that he or she wishes to
plead guilty or nolo contendere shall not be used against the
defendant.
(4) APPEARANCE IN RESPONSE TO A SUMMONS.--For the
purpose of initiating a transfer under this section, a person
who appears in response to a summons shall be treated as if he
or she had been arrested on a warrant in the county of such
appearance.
History.--s. 1, ch. 72-45; s. 1514, ch. 97-102.
910.04 Where aider in one county and offense committed in
another.--
If a person in one county aids, abets, or procures the
commission of an offense in another county, the person may be
tried in either county.
History.--s. 163, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp.
8663(170); s. 76, ch. 70-339; s. 1515, ch. 97-102.
910.05 Where acts constituting one offense are committed
in two or more counties.--
If the acts constituting one offense are committed in two or
more counties, the offender may be tried in any county in which
any of the acts occurred.
History.--s. 164, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp.
8663(171); s. 77, ch. 70-339.
910.06 Where person in one county commits offense in
another.--
If a person in one county commits an offense in another county,
the offender may be tried in either county.
History.--s. 165, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp.
8663(172); s. 78, ch. 70-339.
910.09 Cause of death inflicted in one county and death
occurs in another.--
If the cause of death is inflicted in one county and death
occurs in another county, the offender may be tried in either
county.
History.--s. 168, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp.
8663(175); s. 79, ch. 70-339.
910.10 Where stolen property brought into another county.--
A person who obtains property by larceny, robbery, or
embezzlement may be tried in any county in which the person
exercises control over the property.
History.--s. 169, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp.
8663(176); s. 80, ch. 70-339; s. 1516, ch. 97-102.
910.11 Conviction or acquittal bar to prosecution.--
(1) No person shall be held to answer on a second
indictment, information, or affidavit for an offense for which
the person has been acquitted. The acquittal shall be a bar to a
subsequent prosecution for the same offense, notwithstanding any
defect in the form or circumstances of the indictment,
information, or affidavit.
(2) When a person may be tried for an offense in two or
more counties, a conviction or acquittal in one county shall be
a bar to prosecution for the same offense in another county.
History.--s. 170, ch. 19554, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp.
8663(177); s. 81, ch. 70-339; s. 1517, ch. 97-102.
910.12 Trial of aider.--
A person, within or outside this state, who counsels, hires, or
procures a felony to be committed may be tried in the same
county in which the principal felon might be tried.
History.--s. 5, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2366; GS 3191; RGS
5021; CGL 7123; s. 82, ch. 70-339.
Note.--Former s. 932.12.
910.13 Accessory after the fact.--
A person who becomes an accessory after the fact to a felony may
be tried in the county in which the person became an accessory
or in any county in which the principal in the first degree
might be tried. Prosecution of a person who is an accessory
after the fact to a felony shall not be contingent on
prosecution or conviction of the principal in the first degree.
History.--s. 7, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2367; GS 3192; RGS
5022; CGL 7124; s. 83, ch. 70-339; s. 1518, ch. 97-102.
Note.--Former s. 932.13.
910.14 Kidnapping.--
A person who commits an offense provided for in s. 787.01 or s.
787.02 may be tried in any county in which the person's victim
has been taken or confined during the course of the offense.
History.--s. 44, ch. 1637, 1868; RS 2368; GS 3193; RGS
5023; CGL 7125; s. 84, ch. 70-339; s. 55, ch. 83-215; s. 2, ch.
93-156; s. 19, ch. 93-227; s. 1519, ch. 97-102.
Note.--Former s. 932.14.
910.15 Theft and fraudulent practices concerning
communication systems.--
A person charged with committing a fraudulent practice in a
manner in which it may reasonably be assumed that a solicitation
or false or misleading representation could or would be
disseminated across jurisdictional lines, or a theft involving
the use of the mail, telephone, newspaper, radio, television, or
other means of communication, may be tried in the county in
which the dissemination originated, in which the dissemination
was made, or in which the last act necessary to consummate the
offense occurred.
History.--s. 1, ch. 80-25.
910.16 Venue; public meetings law violations.--
Any knowing violation of s. 286.011 occurring outside the state
shall be prosecuted in the county in which the board or
commission normally conducts its official business. Any knowing
violation of s. 286.011 occurring within the state may be
prosecuted in the county in which the board or commission
normally conducts its official business or, if the infraction
occurred in another county, in that county.
History.--s. 3, ch. 95-353.
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