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Florida Statute 319.33 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
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The 2024 Florida Statutes

Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter 319
TITLE CERTIFICATES
View Entire Chapter
F.S. 319.33
319.33 Offenses involving vehicle identification numbers, applications, certificates, papers; penalty.—
(1) It is unlawful:
(a) To alter or forge any certificate of title to a motor vehicle or mobile home or any assignment thereof or any cancellation of any lien on a motor vehicle or mobile home.
(b) To retain or use such certificate, assignment, or cancellation knowing that it has been altered or forged.
(c) To procure or attempt to procure a certificate of title to a motor vehicle or mobile home, or pass or attempt to pass a certificate of title or any assignment thereof to a motor vehicle or mobile home, knowing or having reason to believe that such motor vehicle or mobile home has been stolen.
(d) To possess, sell or offer for sale, conceal, or dispose of in this state a motor vehicle or mobile home, or major component part thereof, on which any motor number or vehicle identification number that has been affixed by the manufacturer or by a state agency, such as the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which regulates motor vehicles has been destroyed, removed, covered, altered, or defaced, with knowledge of such destruction, removal, covering, alteration, or defacement, except as provided in s. 319.30(4).
(e) To use a false or fictitious name, give a false or fictitious address, or make any false statement in any application or affidavit required under the provisions of this chapter or in a bill of sale or sworn statement of ownership or otherwise commit a fraud in any application.
(2) It is unlawful for any person knowingly to obtain goods, services, credit, or money by means of an invalid, duplicate, fictitious, forged, counterfeit, stolen, or unlawfully obtained certificate of title, registration, bill of sale, or other indicia of ownership of a motor vehicle or mobile home.
(3) It is unlawful for any person knowingly to obtain goods, services, credit, or money by means of a certificate of title to a motor vehicle or mobile home, which certificate is required by law to be surrendered to the department.
(4) It is unlawful for any person knowingly and with intent to defraud to have in his or her possession, sell, offer to sell, counterfeit, or supply a blank, forged, fictitious, counterfeit, stolen, or fraudulently or unlawfully obtained certificate of title, registration, bill of sale, or other indicia of ownership of a motor vehicle or mobile home or to conspire to do any of the foregoing.
(5) It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to knowingly possess, manufacture, sell or exchange, offer to sell or exchange, supply in blank, or give away any counterfeit manufacturer’s or state-assigned identification number plates or serial plates or any decal used for the purpose of identification of any motor vehicle; or for any officer, agent, or employee of any person, firm, or corporation, or any person who shall authorize, direct, aid in exchange, or give away such counterfeit manufacturer’s or state-assigned identification number plates or serial plates or any decal; or conspire to do any of the foregoing. However, nothing in this subsection shall be applicable to any approved replacement manufacturer’s or state-assigned identification number plates or serial plates or any decal issued by the department or any state.
(6) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. Any motor vehicle used in violation of this section shall constitute contraband which may be seized by a law enforcement agency and shall be subject to forfeiture proceedings pursuant to ss. 932.701-932.704. This section is not exclusive of any other penalties prescribed by any existing or future laws for the larceny or unauthorized taking of motor vehicles or mobile homes, but is supplementary thereto.
(7)(a) If all identifying numbers of a motor vehicle or mobile home do not exist or have been destroyed, removed, covered, altered, or defaced, or if the real identity of the motor vehicle or mobile home cannot be determined, the motor vehicle or mobile home shall constitute contraband and shall be subject to forfeiture by a seizing law enforcement agency, pursuant to applicable provisions of ss. 932.701-932.704. Such motor vehicle shall not be operated on the streets and highways of the state unless, by written order of a court of competent jurisdiction, the department is directed to assign to the vehicle a replacement vehicle identification number which shall thereafter be used for identification purposes. If the motor vehicle is confiscated from a licensed motor vehicle dealer as defined in s. 320.27, the dealer’s license shall be revoked.
(b) If all numbers or other identifying marks manufactured on a major component part have been altered, defaced, destroyed, or otherwise removed for the purpose of concealing the identity of the major component part, the part shall constitute contraband and shall be subject to forfeiture by a seizing law enforcement agency, pursuant to applicable provisions of ss. 932.701-932.704. Any major component part forfeited under this subsection shall be destroyed or disposed of in a manner so as to make it unusable.
History.—s. 14, ch. 23658, 1947; s. 1, ch. 69-9; ss. 24, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 190, ch. 71-136; s. 18, ch. 82-134; s. 1, ch. 85-155; s. 20, ch. 87-243; s. 5, ch. 90-283; s. 347, ch. 95-148; s. 96, ch. 99-13; s. 258, ch. 99-248; s. 114, ch. 2002-20; s. 12, ch. 2002-235.

F.S. 319.33 on Google Scholar

F.S. 319.33 on Casetext

Amendments to 319.33


Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 319.33
Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

S319.33 1a - FORGERY OF - MTR VEH MOBILE HOME TITLE LIEN CANCELLATION - F: T
S319.33 1b - PASS FORGED - USE MTR VEH ETC TITLE LIEN CANCELLATION - F: T
S319.33 1b - POSSESS FORGED - RETAIN MTR VEH ETC TITLE LIEN CANCELLATION - F: T
S319.33 1c - FRAUD - PROCURE OR PASS TITLE ON STOLEN VEHICLE - F: T
S319.33 1d - PASS FORGED - SELL VEHICLE WITH ALTERED NUMBERS - F: T
S319.33 1d - PROPERTY CRIMES - POSSESS VEHICLE WITH ALTERED NUMBERS - F: T
S319.33 1e - FRAUD-FALSE STATEMENT - IN TITLE TRANSFER - F: T
S319.33 2 - FRAUD - OBTAIN GOODS ETC WITH INVALID VEHICLE TITLE - F: T
S319.33 3 - FRAUD - OBTAIN GOODS ETC BY NON SURRENDERED TITLE - F: T
S319.33 4 - COUNTERFEITING OF - MTR VEH TITLE REGISTRATION BILL OF SALE ETC - F: T
S319.33 4 - PASS FORGED - SELL FORGED MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE ETC - F: T
S319.33 4 - PASS COUNTERFEITED - SELL COUNTERFEIT MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE ETC - F: T
S319.33 4 - POSSESS FORGED - MTR VEH TITLE REGISTRATION BILL OF SALE ETC - F: T
S319.33 4 - POSSESS COUNTERFEITED - MTR VEH TITLE REGISTRATION BILL OF SALE ETC - F: T
S319.33 4 - FRAUD - POSSESS BLANK FRAUD OBTAINED MTR VEH TITLE ETC - F: T
S319.33 4 - FRAUD - SELL BLANK FRAUD OBTAINED MTR VEH TITLE ETC - F: T
S319.33 4 - SALE OF STOLEN PROP - MTR VEH TITLE REGISTRATION BILL OF SALE ETC - F: T
S319.33 4 - POSSESS STOLEN PROP - MTR VEH TITLE REGISTRATION BILL OF SALE ETC - F: T
S319.33 4 - STOLEN PROP-DEAL IN - MTR VEH TITLE REGISTRATION BILL OF SALE ETC - F: T
S319.33 5 - COUNTERFEITING OF - MTR VEH IDENTIFICATION NUMBER PLATES OR DECAL - F: T
S319.33 5 - PASS COUNTERFEITED - SELL SUPPLY BLANK MTR VEH ID NUMB PLATE DECAL - F: T
S319.33 5 - POSSESS COUNTERFEITED - MTR VEH IDENTIFICATION NUMBER PLATES OR DECAL - F: T

Civil Citations / Citable Offenses under S319.33
R or S next to points is Mandatory Revocation or Suspension

S319.33 (4) Possession of a COUNTERFEIT/FICTITIOUS motor vehicle registration - Points on Drivers License: 0

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 319.33

Total Results: 20

MARIA SERRET TEJADA v. FORFEITURE OF 2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE VIN NO: 1GYS4BKJ5FR157228

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2019-04-03T00:53:00-07:00

Snippet: because it established the elements of section 319.33, Florida Statutes (2016); there were no material… motor vehicle was used in violation of section 319.33 to be subject to forfeiture. Zaldivar, 559 So. …allowed the forfeiture of a vehicle under section 319.33 because the City alleged ultimate facts showing…at 662. Here, the defendant violated section 319.33(1)(e), which provides it is unlawful “[t]o use …otherwise commit a fraud in any application.” § 319.33(1)(e), Fla. Stat. (2016). “Any motor vehicle used

K.D.T. v. State

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2013-12-13T00:00:00-08:00

Citation: 128 So. 3d 254, 2013 WL 6510901, 2013 Fla. App. LEXIS 19799

Snippet: destroyed, removed, covered, altered, or defaced,” § 319.33(l)(d), Fla. Stat. (2011). The Fourth District has

State v. Marrero

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2005-01-20T23:53:00-08:00

Citation: 890 So. 2d 1278

Snippet: identification numbers, a violation of section 319.33(1)(d), Florida Statutes (1997); and possession

Gyulveszi v. State

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2002-01-17T23:53:00-08:00

Citation: 805 So. 2d 84

Snippet: FULMER and CASANUEVA, JJ., concur. NOTES [1] §§ 319.33(1)(a), 812.014(2)(c)(6), Fla. Stat. (1997).

Beary v. Bruce

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2002-01-17T23:53:00-08:00

Citation: 804 So. 2d 579

Snippet: Stickers, a violation of sections 319.30(5)(b) and 319.33(7)(a), Florida Statutes, and that several VINs

City of Margate v. Singh

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2001-03-06T23:53:00-08:00

Citation: 778 So. 2d 1080

Snippet: for forfeiture based on a violation of section 319.33, Florida Statutes (2000). The statute provides … with knowledge of such destruction ..." § 319.33(1)(d). The trial court found no probable cause …defendant in Cooper was convicted of violating section 319.33(1)(d) and appealed, arguing that the court erred…is clear that the legislative intent for section 319.33(1)(d) was to provide for ready ascertainment of…775.021(1), Fla. Stat. (2000). Construing section 319.33(1)(d) most favorably to the appellant, we find

Evans v. State

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1999-07-02T00:53:00-07:00

Citation: 737 So. 2d 1167

Snippet: NOTES [1] § 812.13(b), Fla. Stat. (1995). [2] § 319.33(d), Fla. Stat. (1995). 99-00495 District

Jackson v. State

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1999-06-09T00:53:00-07:00

Citation: 736 So. 2d 77

Snippet: number, contrary to sections 812.014(1)(c)6 and 319.33(1)(d), Florida Statutes (1997). We reverse, because… (b), 812.014(2)(c), Fla. Stat. (1997). Section 319.33(1)(d), Florida Statutes (1997), makes it unlawful…identification number, we also reverse. Section 319.33(1)(d) requires that a defendant's possession…suggests the requisite state of mind for a section 319.33(1)(d) violation, so under Law, the evidence was

State v. Hockett

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1999-05-26T00:00:00-07:00

Citation: 735 So. 2d 545, 1999 Fla. App. LEXIS 6765, 1999 WL 330204

Snippet: an element of the offense described in section 319.33(1)(e), Florida Statutes (1997). See State v. Copher

Webb v. Department of Highway Safety

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1999-03-05T00:00:00-08:00

Citation: 730 So. 2d 334, 1999 Fla. App. LEXIS 2457

Snippet: section 319.33(7)(a), Florida Statutes (1997). That statute provides in part the following: 319.33 Offenses

In Re Forfeiture of 1994 Honda Prelude

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1999-03-04T23:53:00-08:00

Citation: 730 So. 2d 334

Snippet: section 319.33(7)(a), Florida Statutes (1997). That statute provides in part the following: 319.33 Offenses

Ellis v. State

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1998-07-24T00:53:00-07:00

Citation: 714 So. 2d 1160

Snippet: the information charged a violation of section 319.33, Florida Statutes, which proscribed obtaining certificates… other statute, is neither condemned by section 319.33, nor *1162 described in the main portion of the

Cochran v. Jones

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1998-02-03T23:53:00-08:00

Citation: 707 So. 2d 791

Snippet: was rendered "contraband" pursuant to § 319.33(7)(a), Florida Statutes (1993)[2], appellees lack…by its owner. [2] The pertinent part of section 319.33(7)(a) and (b), Florida Statutes (1993) dealing

State v. Nuckolls

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1996-06-14T00:53:00-07:00

Citation: 677 So. 2d 12

Snippet: )(a), Fla.Stat. [6] § 831.01, Fla.Stat. [7] § 319.33(1)(e), Fla.Stat. [8] § 117.09(2), Fla.Stat. [9

Rogers v. State

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1995-06-09T00:00:00-07:00

Citation: 656 So. 2d 245, 1995 Fla. App. LEXIS 8543, 1995 WL 340141

Snippet: VIN charge. Section 319.33(6) provides that any person who violates section 319.33 is guilty of a felony…* 4. A motor vehicle. . Section 319.33 provides as follows: 319.33 Offenses involving vehicle identification…violation of the prior charge pursuant to section 319.33(l)(d), double jeopardy could bar this later prosecution…prosecution. However, we do not agree that section 319.33(l)(d) has any of the same elements. That criminal… Const.Amend. V; Art. 1, § 9, Fla. Const. . § 319.33(l)(d), Fla.Stat. . See Blockburger v. United

Roberts v. Auto Plan, Inc.

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1994-01-28T00:00:00-08:00

Citation: 632 So. 2d 642, 1994 Fla. App. LEXIS 319, 1994 WL 22579

Snippet: in the manner that our record suggests. See §§ 319.33(l)(e), 320.131, Fla.Stat. (1991). Of equal interest

Moore v. State

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1993-09-10T00:53:00-07:00

Citation: 623 So. 2d 842

Snippet: NOTES [1] § 812.014(1), Fla. Stat. (1991). [2] § 319.33(1)(d), Fla. Stat. (1991). [3] § 812.022, Fla.

State v. Nuckolls

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1993-03-19T00:00:00-08:00

Citation: 617 So. 2d 724, 1993 Fla. App. LEXIS 3001, 1993 WL 74943

Snippet: Odometer Fraud, F.S. 319.35(l)(a), Title Fraud, F.S. 319.33(l)(e), is contained therein. The appellees challenged

Troyer v. State

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1992-12-01T23:53:00-08:00

Citation: 610 So. 2d 530

Snippet: information, however, charged a violation of section 319.33, Florida Statutes, a statute pertaining to certificates… other statute, is neither condemned by section 319.33, nor described in the main portion of the information

State v. Nuckolls

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 1992-09-25T00:53:00-07:00

Citation: 606 So. 2d 1205

Snippet: 1989). [3] § 831.01, Fla. Stat. (1989). [4] § 319.33, Fla. Stat. (1989). [5] § 117.09(2), Fla. Stat