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Florida Statute 17.04 - Full Text and Legal Analysis Florida Statute 17.04 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
Fla. Stat. § 17.04 (2026) Copy Cite Official Site Syfertize CourtListener Amendments
17.04 To audit and adjust accounts of officers and those indebted to the state.The Chief Financial Officer, using generally accepted auditing procedures for testing or sampling, shall examine, audit, adjust, and settle the accounts of all the officers of this state, and any other person in anywise entrusted with, or who may have received any property, funds, or moneys of this state, or who may be in anywise indebted or accountable to this state for any property, funds, or moneys, and require such officer or persons to render full accounts thereof, and to yield up such property or funds according to law, or pay such moneys into the treasury of this state, or to such officer or agent of the state as may be appointed to receive the same, and on failure so to do, to cause to be instituted and prosecuted proceedings, criminal or civil, at law or in equity, against such persons, according to law. The Chief Financial Officer may conduct investigations within or outside of this state as it deems necessary to aid in the enforcement of this section. If during an investigation the Chief Financial Officer has reason to believe that any criminal statute of this state has or may have been violated, the Chief Financial Officer shall refer any records tending to show such violation to state or federal law enforcement or prosecutorial agencies and shall provide investigative assistance to those agencies as required.
History.s. 4, ch. 8, 1845; RS 96; GS 100; RGS 113; CGL 143; ss. 12, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 2, ch. 95-312; s. 1, ch. 95-426; s. 18, ch. 2003-261; s. 1, ch. 2016-165.

Cases Citing F.S. 17.04

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·Willie Santonio Manders v. Thurman Lee, 338 F.3d 1304 (11th Cir. 2003).

Cited 369 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 2003 WL 21729838

local governmental actors alike. See Ga.Code Ann. § 17-4-20(d) (prohibiting either a "law enforcement agency
0 red2 yellow144 green6 procedural
Distinguished(citing case) (2017)
phrase: "distinguishing"
Distinguished(citing case) (2017)
phrase: "distinguishing"
Cited as authorityRiley (2026)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·United States v. Marengo Cnty. Comm'n, 731 F.2d 1546 (11th Cir. 1984).

Cited 155 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 1984 U.S. App. LEXIS 22538

remain there at least one half a day”. Ala.Code § 17-4-1 (1975) (repealed by Act of April 27, 1978, No
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Cited as authority(citing case) (2024)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2023)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2023)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·E.J. Wilson, Dearest Davis, & Cassandra Linder, Plaintiffs v. Roland Attaway, 757 F.2d 1227 (11th Cir. 1985).

Cited 129 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 17 Fed. R. Serv. 1380, 1985 U.S. App. LEXIS 28922

Ed.2d 598 (1976); see also, O.C.G.A., § 17-4-20 (1982). There must be probable cause to believe
0 red2 yellow113 green2 procedural
Cited "but see"(citing case) (2012)
phrase: "but see"
DistinguishedBrescher (1988)
phrase: "distinguishing"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2026)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·United States v. Jones, 125 F.3d 1418 (11th Cir. 1997).

Cited 103 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 1997 U.S. App. LEXIS 29847, 1997 WL 640830

Jones, the Dallas County probate judge. Ala.Code § 17-4-129. Two members of the Board were black, and one
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Cited as authority(citing case) (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityPrichett (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityBudzinski (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Lindsey M. Scott v. Larry Dixon, 720 F.2d 1542 (11th Cir. 1983).

Cited 47 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 1983 U.S. App. LEXIS 14468

amended in 1983 and recodified at Off. Code Ga.Ann. § 17-4-40 (Supp.1983). 3 . Apparently,
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Cited as authority(citing case) (2024)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityHoward (2023)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityMuhammad (2023)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Monica L. Moore v. Gwinnett Cnty., & Xyz Co., & John Doe, Jointly & Severally, J.O. Meadows, 967 F.2d 1495 (11th Cir. 1992).

Cited 25 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 92 Fulton County D. Rep. 1668, 1992 U.S. App. LEXIS 17778, 1992 WL 168230

grounded on a traffic misdemeanor. Under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-20(a) (Mi-chie 1990), Georgia law enforcement officers
0 red0 yellow28 green11 procedural
Cited as authority(citing case) (2024)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityJones (2023)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authoritySantiago (2022)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Dep't of Env't Reg. v. Goldring, 477 So. 2d 532 (Fla. 1985).

Cited 25 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 10 Fla. L. Weekly 429

terrain. The intent of the vegetation indices in Section 17-4.02(17), F.A.C., is to guide in the establishment
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Cited as authorityWard (2006)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityKing (2001)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityStivers (2000)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Smith v. Singletary, 170 F.3d 1051 (11th Cir. 1999).

Cited 16 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 1999 U.S. App. LEXIS 5046, 1999 WL 162461

E. Mallen & Jeffrey M. Smith, Legal Malpractice § 17.4, at 502 (4th ed.1996). 5 But, as an
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Cited as authority(citing case) (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityColeman (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityKing (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Robert H. Speer, Jr. v. Zell Miller, as Governor of Georgia, & Michael Bowers, as Attorney Gen. of Georgia, 15 F.3d 1007 (11th Cir. 1994).

Cited 20 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 1994 U.S. App. LEXIS 4074, 1994 WL 41303

services. He had access to the records under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-27. 2 In 1991, the Georgia legislature
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Cited as authority(citing case) (2024)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2022)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityRedick (2021)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Maurice Walker v. City of Calhoun, GA, 901 F.3d 1245 (11th Cir. 2018).

Cited 14 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

judicial officer. See Ga. Code Ann. § 17-4-26 . Whether such lengths of delay are permissible
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CriticizedDaves (2023)
phrase: "criticizing"
Cited as authorityCHAPMAN (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authoritySeaman (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Forbes v. Earle, 298 So. 2d 1 (Fla. 1974).

Cited 10 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida

Const., Art. V, § 12. [3] Fla. Const., Art. III, § 17. [4] One writer believes some violations of the judicial
0 red0 yellow6 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityIn Re Eriksson (2010)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2010)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityIn Re Graziano (1997)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Gar-Con Dev. v. DEPT. OF ENV. REG., 468 So. 2d 413 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985).

Cited 10 times | Published | Florida 1st District Court of Appeal | 10 Fla. L. Weekly 1056

be, connected to any of the waters listed in Section 17-4.28(2) F.A.C. directly or via an excavated water
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Cited as authority(citing case) (2014)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (1991)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (1986)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Ralph Hill v. Georgia Power Co. United Bhd. of Carpenters & Joiners of Am., Local No. 144 Afl-Cio & Superior Elec. Co., Walter Wadley v. Georgia Power Co. Constr. Prod. & Maint. Workers, Local No. 1210, Afl-Cio & Superior Elec. Co., 786 F.2d 1071 (11th Cir. 1986).

Cited 13 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 122 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 2779, 1986 U.S. App. LEXIS 23938

presence or within his immediate knowledge." Section 17-4-60 contains a similar provision for arrests
0 red0 yellow1 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityCox (1994)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Harris v. Coweta Cnty., 433 F.3d 807 (11th Cir. 2005).

Cited 4 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 2005 U.S. App. LEXIS 28484, 2005 WL 3501588

violence against any person.”). See also Ga.Code Ann., § 17-4-20(b) (“Sheriffs and peace officers ... may use
0 red0 yellow25 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityMcKee (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityMeshal (2022)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityFrank (2018)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Khianthalat v. State, 935 So. 2d 583 (Fla. 2d DCA 2006).

Cited 7 times | Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 2006 WL 2191322

consent. 2 Wayne R. LaFave, Substantive Criminal Law § 17.4(c), at 648 (2d ed. 2003). William Blackstone discussed
0 red0 yellow5 green0 procedural
Cited as authority(citing case) (2019)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityBentley (2017)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityNHM (2008)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Doheny v. Grove Isle, LTD., 442 So. 2d 966 (Fla. 1st DCA 1983).

Cited 4 times | Published | Florida 1st District Court of Appeal

be clearly in the public interest pursuant to Section 17-4.242, F.A.C. No further evidence, upon resubmittal
0 red0 yellow5 green0 procedural
Cited as authority(citing case) (2019)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2009)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityThomson (1987)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Brewster Phosphates v. STATE, DEPT. OF ENVTL. REG., 444 So. 2d 483 (Fla. 1st DCA 1984).

Cited 4 times | Published | Florida 1st District Court of Appeal

purposes is not subject to the requirements of Section 17-4.242. As can be seen from the language of the
0 red0 yellow3 green2 procedural
Cited as authority(citing case) (1997)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (1989)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (1985)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·United States v. Bobby Joe Wilson, 853 F.2d 869 (11th Cir. 1988).

Cited 3 times | Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 1988 U.S. App. LEXIS 11812, 1988 WL 83440

3 Wilson relies primarily on O.C.G.A. § 17-4-23(a): A law enforcement officer may arrest
0 red0 yellow2 green1 procedural
Cited as authorityPottinger (1992)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (1992)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cert. deniedPottinger (1992)
phrase: "cert. denied"
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·Thomas Bruce Henley v. Todd Payne (11th Cir. 2019).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

probable cause—to arrest Mr. Henley. See O.C.G.A. § 17-4-20(a); Collins v. Sadlo, 306 S.E.2d 390, 392 (Ga
0 red0 yellow59 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityDavid (2026)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2026)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2026)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Anthony Wayne Hardigree v. Marc Lofton (11th Cir. 2021).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

2d 390, 391– 92 (Ga. Ct. App. 1983); O.C.G.A. § 17-4-20(a)(2)(A). Because the alleged events happened
0 red0 yellow34 green0 procedural
Cited as authority(citing case) (2026)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityPayne (2026)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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Peacher v. Cohn, 786 So. 2d 1282 (Fla. 5th DCA 2001).

Cited 2 times | Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal | 2001 WL 698003

Padovano, Judge Phillip J., Florida Civil Practice, § 17.4 (2000 ed.). In ordering this cause to be remanded
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·Hill v. Georgia Power Co., 786 F.2d 1071 (11th Cir. 1986).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 122 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 2779

C.G.A. §§ 17-4-20 and 17-4-60.11 *1079Notably, § 17-4-20(a) authorizes a law enforcement officer to make
0 red0 yellow10 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityScott (2020)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2006)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (1994)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Goldring v. State Dept. of Environ. Reg., 452 So. 2d 968 (Fla. 3d DCA 1984).

Cited 1 times | Published | Florida 3rd District Court of Appeal

state to their landward extent as defined by Section 17-4.02(17), F.A.C. require permit from the department
0 red0 yellow1 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityGoldring (1985)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Ziahonna Teagan v. The City of McDonough, Georgia (11th Cir. 2020).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

“within 72 hours” of her arrest. See Ga. Code Ann. § 17-4-26; Ga. Unif. Mun. Ct. R. 20.1 (Dec. 2011); Tidwell
0 red0 yellow9 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityHudson (2026)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2024)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Harris v. Coweta Cnty., 406 F.3d 1307 (11th Cir. 2005).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | 2005 U.S. App. LEXIS 6721, 2005 WL 901889

violence against any person.”). See also Ga.Code Ann., § 17-4-20(b) (“Sheriffs and peace officers ... may use
0 red2 yellow7 green0 procedural
Cited "but see"(citing case) (2005)
phrase: "but see"
Cited "but see"Wright (2005)
phrase: "but see"
Cited as authorityLedford (2009)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Fhr Tb, LLC v. Tb Isle Resort, Lp., 865 F. Supp. 2d 1172 (S.D. Fla. 2011).

Published | District Court, S.D. Florida | 2011 WL 4914715, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 155752

of first refusal to purchase the Resort. Id. at § 17.4(b). Fairmont says it considered this an important
0 red0 yellow5 green0 procedural
Cited as authority(citing case) (2021)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityRodriguez (2021)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2020)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Charter Schs. USA, Inc. v. John Doe No. 93, 152 So. 3d 657 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014).

Published | Florida 3rd District Court of Appeal | 2014 Fla. App. LEXIS 18438, 2014 WL 5836146

Nancy Wear, Stays, in Florida Appellate Practice, § 17-4 (Fla. Bar CLE 9th ed. 2014) ("Rule 1.550 should
0 red0 yellow3 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityFeliciano (2018)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityCalonge (2018)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityCalonge (2018)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Jenna Dickenson v. NPAS Solutions, LLC (11th Cir. 2022).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

been levied against incentive awards. See Newberg § 17:4 (“[Rule 23(e)] most obviously protects absent class
0 red0 yellow3 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityNvlsp (2026)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authorityRobertson (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
Cited as authority(citing case) (2023)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·Greater Birmingham Ministries v. Sec'y of State for the State of Alabama (11th Cir. 2024).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Argued: Nov 13, 2023

U.S.C. § 21083(a)(1)(A); see Ala. Code § 17-4-33 (implementing the Help America Vote
0 red0 yellow1 green0 procedural
Cited as authorityTorrez (2025)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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·In Re Star Broad., Inc., 336 B.R. 825 (Bankr. N.D. Fla. 2006).

Published | United States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Florida | 19 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. B 133, 2006 Bankr. LEXIS 105, 2006 WL 156715

importance in Qantum's overall business plan. Section 17.4 of the WTKE purchase agreement which was referred
0 red0 yellow1 green0 procedural
Cited as authority(citing case) (2016)
phrase: "rule_authority"
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Ago (Fla. Att'y Gen. 1991).

Published | Florida Attorney General Reports

governmental unit] and is made in good faith."15 Section 17.04(1), F.S., makes it the duty of the Department
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Drost v. State, Dep't of Env't Reg., 559 So. 2d 1154 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1989).

Published | District Court of Appeal of Florida | 14 Fla. L. Weekly 2577, 1989 Fla. App. LEXIS 6200, 1989 WL 133273

918(5)(b), Florida Statutes (1985), created by section 17-4.-040(9)(f), Florida Administrative Code.6 We
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Ago (Fla. Att'y Gen. 1989).

Published | Florida Attorney General Reports

Robert A. Butterworth Attorney General (ls) 1 Section 17.04, F.S. See also, s. 4(d), Art. IV, State Const
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Smith v. Moore, 170 F.3d 1051 (11th Cir. 1999).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Mallen & Jeffrey M. Smith, Legal Malpractice § 17.4, at 502 (4th ed. 1996).5 But, as an Because
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Willie Santonio Manders v. Thurman Lee, 338 F.3d 1304 (11th Cir. 2002).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

local governmental actors alike. See Ga.Code Ann. § 17-4-20(d) (prohibiting either a “law enforcement agency
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Greater Birmingham Ministries v. Sec'y of State for the State of Alabama (11th Cir. 2024).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Argued: Nov 13, 2023

U.S.C. § 21083(a)(1)(A); see Ala. Code § 17-4-33 (implementing the Help America Vote
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Lexington Place Condo. Ass'n, Inc., a Florida Corp. Not for Profit Vs Michelle Flint & Kevin Flint (Fla. 5th DCA 2022).

Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal

RESTRICTIONS Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 17.4 of [the Declaration]. Tenant(s) or Occupant(s)
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PMI Mortg. Ins. v. Cavendar, 615 So. 2d 710 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1993).

Published | District Court of Appeal of Florida | 1993 Fla. App. LEXIS 8

...rchase price of the property involved and where the original mortgagee becomes the purchaser thereof at foreclosure sale and also is granted a deficiency decree against the original mortgagor. Id. See generally 1 Kendall Coffey, Florida Foreclosures § 17.04 (1992)....
...As those issues were not raised below, we do not consider them. This court’s ruling is without prejudice to the Cavendars to raise such defenses as they see fit on remand. Reversed and remanded. In such a lawsuit for a deficiency, the parties have "the right to demand a trial by jury.” Id. § 17.04, at 177.
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Slaughter v. State ex rel. Harrell, 245 So. 2d 126 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1971).

Published | District Court of Appeal of Florida | 1971 Fla. App. LEXIS 6868

...s will not lie against said Respondent Clerk. • Accordingly, the peremptory writ reviewed herein is quashed. CARROLL, DONALD K., Acting C. J., RAWLS, J., and VANN, HAROLD R., Associate Judge, concur. . Consolidated Charter of City of Jacksonville, § 17.04....
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Victor Harris v. Coweta Cnty., Georgia, 489 F.3d 1207 (11th Cir. 2005).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

violence against any person."). See also Ga.Code Ann., § 17-4-20(b) ("Sheriffs and peace officers ... may use
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Ago (Fla. Att'y Gen. 1998).

Published | Florida Attorney General Reports

the appropriate processing fee as listed in section 17-4.050 [now section 62-4.050], F.A.C."2 In addition
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Victor Harris v. Coweta Cnty., Georgia, 489 F.3d 1207 (11th Cir. 2005).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

violence against any person."). See also Ga.Code Ann., § 17-4-20(b) ("Sheriffs and peace officers ... may use
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·Charles T. Johnson v. NPAS Solutions, LLC (11th Cir. 2020).

Published | Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

case contribution awards.” Rubenstein, supra, § 17:4. 10 The fact that Rule 23 post-dates Greenough
2 red3 yellow38 green0 procedural
Disapproved(citing case) (2024)
phrase: "disapproved in"
Disapproved(citing case) (2024)
phrase: "disapproved in"
Cited "but see"Carter (2025)
phrase: "but see"

This Florida statute resource is curated by the attorney maintaining this site, a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney (Florida Bar No. 39104). For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.