1542.25 Judgment in favor of state as prima facie evidence.—A final judgment or decree entered in any civil or criminal proceeding brought by the Attorney General or a state attorney under s. 542.21 or s. 542.23 to the effect that a defendant has violated s. 542.18 or s. 542.19, or entered in any civil or criminal proceeding brought by the United States Department of Justice under comparable federal laws, shall be prima facie evidence against such defendant in any civil action or proceeding under this part brought by any other person against such defendant as to all matters with respect to which such judgment or decree would be an estoppel as between the parties thereto; however, this section does not apply to a consent judgment or decree entered before any testimony has been taken. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to impose any limitation on the application of collateral estoppel.
1Note.—Amended by s. 11, ch. 2025-213, effective July 1, 2025, per s. 22, ch. 2025-213. Chapter 2025-213 became law without the Governor’s signature on July 3, 2025, per s. 8(a), Art. III of the State Constitution. In Re Advisory Opinion to the Governor Request of June 29, 1979, 374 So. 2d 959 (Fla. 1979), specifies the constitutional effective date in s. 9, Art. III of the State Constitution in this situation. The constitutional effective date is August 15, 2025, for ch. 2025-213.
This Florida statute resource is curated by Graham W. Syfert, Esq., a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.
