Florida Statute 570.15 - Full Text and Legal Analysis

The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title XXXV
AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AND ANIMAL INDUSTRY

Chapter 570
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

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F.S. 570.15

570.15 Access to places of business and vehicles.—

(1)(a) Any duly authorized employee of the department shall have full access at all reasonable hours to inspect:

1. All:

a. Places of business;

b. Factories;

c. Farm buildings;

d. Carriages;

e. Railroad cars;

f. Trucks;

g. Motor vehicles, except private passenger automobiles with no trailer in tow, travel trailers, camping trailers, van conversions, and motor homes as defined in s. 320.01(1)(b), or pickup trucks not carrying agricultural, horticultural, or livestock products and which have visible access to the entire cargo area, or city, county, state, or federal vehicles;

h. Truck and motor vehicle trailers; and

i. Vessels

which are used or could be used in the production, manufacture, storage, sale, or transportation within the state of any food product; any agricultural, horticultural, or livestock product; or any article or product with respect to which any authority is conferred by law on the department; and

2. All records or documents pertaining thereto.

(b) The department may examine and open any package or container of any kind containing or believed to contain any article or product which may be transported, manufactured, sold, or offered for sale in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the rules of the department, or the laws which the department enforces and may inspect the contents and take samples for analysis.

(c) If access is refused by the owner, agent, manager, or other person in charge of any premises, or by the owner, driver, operator, or other person in charge of any vehicle, the department employee may apply for, obtain, and execute a search warrant for regulatory inspection under the provisions of this section and ss. 933.20-933.30. The provisions of chapter 933 relating to probable cause do not apply to regulatory inspections under this section. Routine inspections of vehicles shall be conducted in accordance with the administrative standards, including neutral criteria, for conducting these inspections set forth by rules of the department.

(2) It is unlawful for the driver of any vehicle, other than one exempted in sub-subparagraph (1)(a)1.g. or one authorized pursuant to subsection (5), to pass any official agricultural inspection station without first stopping and submitting the vehicle for inspection. A violation of this subsection constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(3) Every law enforcement officer is authorized to assist employees of the department in the enforcement of this section. Every law enforcement officer is authorized to stop and detain any vehicle and its driver if the driver has failed to comply with this section until an employee of the department arrives to conduct the inspection required or permitted by law. The law enforcement officer may require the driver to return with the vehicle to the agricultural inspection station where the driver failed to stop the vehicle for inspection.

(4) No civil or criminal liability shall be imposed upon any person who is authorized to enforce or assist in enforcement of the provisions of this section and who is lawfully engaged in such activity.

(5) The department shall establish by rule conditions and criteria by which nonagricultural laden vehicles may pass an agricultural inspection station without stopping for inspection.

History.—s. 1, ch. 59-54; s. 1, ch. 75-215; s. 1, ch. 78-180; s. 1, ch. 79-371; s. 1, ch. 79-587; s. 1, ch. 83-237; s. 11, ch. 93-169; s. 1, ch. 93-270; s. 3, ch. 95-141; s. 36, ch. 97-98; s. 889, ch. 97-103; s. 1, ch. 2003-181.

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Amendments to 570.15

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 570.15

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

S570.15 - FOOD-HEALTH OR SAFETY - FAIL TO STOP AT AGRICULTURE INSPECTION STATION - M: S

Cases Citing Statute 570.15

Total Results: 41

Denehy v. State

400 So. 2d 1216

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Oct 16, 1980 | Docket: 2150588

Cited 28 times | Published

court passed upon the constitutionality of section 570.15, Florida Statutes (1977). We have jurisdiction

Gryzik v. State

380 So. 2d 1102

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 4, 1980 | Docket: 1725591

Cited 19 times | Published

bypassing an agricultural inspection station. § 570.15, Fla. Stat. (1977). Moreover, the application

Gluesenkamp v. State

391 So. 2d 192

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Oct 16, 1980 | Docket: 1174584

Cited 16 times | Published

court passed upon the constitutionality of section 570.15, Florida Statutes (1977) and (Supp. 1978).

Powell v. State

332 So. 2d 105

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 12, 1976 | Docket: 1691866

Cited 14 times | Published

which was in effect at the time of this incident, § 570.15, Florida Statutes 1973, purportedly authorizes

Rosell v. State

433 So. 2d 1260

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 27, 1983 | Docket: 1426219

Cited 12 times | Published

unreasonable, warrantless searches and seizures. Section 570.15(1)(b), Florida Statutes (1981) makes provision

Gonterman v. State

358 So. 2d 595

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 12, 1978 | Docket: 1311576

Cited 12 times | Published

absence of a warrant, see Powell, supra, and Section 570.15(1)(b), Florida Statutes (1975)) and (3) made

Villari v. State

372 So. 2d 522

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 29, 1979 | Docket: 1695784

Cited 9 times | Published

station without stopping as he is required to do. Section 570.15(2), Fla. Stat. (1977). Pease asked if he could

Sarga v. State

322 So. 2d 592

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 3, 1975 | Docket: 1413186

Cited 9 times | Published

statute in effect at the time of this search, § 570.15, Florida Statutes 1973, authorized certain inspection

Turner v. State

388 So. 2d 254

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 26, 1980 | Docket: 420134

Cited 8 times | Published

excluded from agricultural inspection under Section 570.15(1)(a)(7), Florida Statutes (1977). The inspector

Flynn v. State

374 So. 2d 1041

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 7, 1979 | Docket: 2536255

Cited 8 times | Published

station and arrested him for bypassing the station. § 570.15, Fla. Stat. (1977). The inspector properly called

Sindrich v. State

322 So. 2d 589

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 3, 1975 | Docket: 1734675

Cited 8 times | Published

concurs. RAWLS, Judge (specially concurring). Florida Statute 570.15 (1973) was effective at the time appellants

Florida Police Benevolent Ass'n, Inc. v. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVS.

574 So. 2d 120, 16 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 97, 1991 Fla. LEXIS 81, 1991 WL 6541

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 17, 1991 | Docket: 1436814

Cited 7 times | Published

officers to make arrests as provided in: (1) section 570.15; (2) "all other laws relating to livestock

Seuss v. State

370 So. 2d 1203

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 9, 1979 | Docket: 1722634

Cited 7 times | Published

smelling what he thought to be contraband. Section 570.15(1)(b), Florida Statutes (1977), provides that

Stephenson v. Dept. of Agr. & Consumer Services

342 So. 2d 60

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Nov 30, 1976 | Docket: 1521238

Cited 7 times | Published

which passes on the constitutional validity of Section 570.15, Florida Statutes (1975), thereby vesting jurisdiction

Martin v. State

411 So. 2d 169

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 21, 1982 | Docket: 1697076

Cited 6 times | Published

for Hamilton County which held constitutional section 570.15, Florida Statutes (Supp. 1978). Appellant,

Rose v. State

369 So. 2d 447

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 11, 1979 | Docket: 1516648

Cited 6 times | Published

accordance with the statutory provisions of Section 570.15(1)(b), Florida Statutes (1977) where there

Stephenson v. DEPARTMENT OF AGR. & CONSUM. SERV.

329 So. 2d 373

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 30, 1976 | Docket: 1251571

Cited 6 times | Published

entry of the trial court's order appealed from, Section 570.15, Florida Statutes, was amended. This being

Lornitis v. State

394 So. 2d 455

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 10, 1981 | Docket: 1692232

Cited 5 times | Published

without stopping for the required inspection. Section 570.15, Florida Statutes (1979). An inspector pursued

Sharpe v. State

370 So. 2d 42

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 17, 1979 | Docket: 1386025

Cited 5 times | Published

despite the requirement of Florida Statute section 570.15(1)(a) that specified vehicles stop at agricultural

Smith v. State

333 So. 2d 91

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 7, 1976 | Docket: 377619

Cited 5 times | Published

authority, either express or implied, under F.S. 570.15 (1973) to arrest appellants.[1] Finally, appellants

Miller v. State

368 So. 2d 943

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 20, 1979 | Docket: 1723150

Cited 4 times | Published

have access to motor vehicles was stated in Section 570.15(1)(a), Florida Statutes (1977), wherein it

State v. Drake

343 So. 2d 1336

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 30, 1977 | Docket: 1304373

Cited 4 times | Published

search for agricultural products pursuant to Section 570.15, Florida Statutes (1975) and did not extend

Cresswell v. State

524 So. 2d 685

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 12, 1988 | Docket: 1701448

Cited 3 times | Published

regard to combatting plant and animal diseases. See § 570.15, Fla. Stat. (1985). Such legislation is not the

Pederson v. State

373 So. 2d 367

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 29, 1979 | Docket: 1763411

Cited 3 times | Published

based upon probable cause. U.S.Const. Amend. IV; § 570.15(1)(b), Fla. Stat. (1977). We agree and reverse

Roche v. State

462 So. 2d 1096, 10 Fla. L. Weekly 72

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 24, 1985 | Docket: 1510008

Cited 2 times | Published

procured a regulatory search warrant, pursuant to section 570.15, Florida Statutes (1980), and upon opening

Lake Butler Apparel Co. v. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

551 F. Supp. 901, 1982 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16875

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Nov 18, 1982 | Docket: 2267458

Cited 2 times | Published

attacked in this litigation, is Florida Statute § 570.15 (1981): 570.15 Access to places of business and

Mahla v. State

383 So. 2d 730

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 13, 1980 | Docket: 457319

Cited 2 times | Published

stop Mahla's truck and to request inspection. § 570.15, Fla. Stat. (1977); Sharpe v. State, 370 So.2d

Raettig v. State

406 So. 2d 1273

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 9, 1981 | Docket: 450043

Cited 1 times | Published

inspector clearly had the authority pursuant to Section 570.15(1)(a), Florida Statutes (1979), to stop Raettig's

Ago

Florida Attorney General Reports | Filed: Aug 21, 1984 | Docket: 3256920

Published

AGRICULTURE TO CARRY OUT ITS RESPONSIBILITY UNDER SECTION 570.15, FLORIDA STATUTES? Your letter and information

Bannister v. State

434 So. 2d 6, 1983 Fla. App. LEXIS 19706

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 17, 1983 | Docket: 64598086

Published

vehicle subject to inspection, pursuant to Section 570.15(1)(a)7, Florida Statutes (1981), Gluesenkamp

McDonough v. State

428 So. 2d 282, 1983 Fla. App. LEXIS 18594

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 8, 1983 | Docket: 64595714

Published

district court held unconstitutional in part Section 570.15, Florida Statutes (1981), dealing with agricultural

Sherman v. State

419 So. 2d 375, 1982 Fla. App. LEXIS 21102

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 14, 1982 | Docket: 64592069

Published

agricultural inspections and stops on the highways. Under § 570.15, Florida Statutes (1979),3 Department of Agriculture

Roche v. State

447 So. 2d 890, 1982 Fla. App. LEXIS 21116

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 8, 1982 | Docket: 64603829

Published

wherein the United States District Court held Section 570.15, Florida Statutes, unconstitutional and enjoined

Grimes v. State

416 So. 2d 488

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 28, 1982 | Docket: 1225034

Published

C.J., and SHIVERS, J., concur. NOTES [1] Section 570.15(2), Florida Statutes (1979), makes it a misdemeanor

Knoble v. State

399 So. 2d 85, 1981 Fla. App. LEXIS 19974

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 28, 1981 | Docket: 64582947

Published

opposed to cargo vehicles. Section 570.15, Florida Statutes (1978). Section 570.15(l)(a) provides agricultural

Sower v. State

382 So. 2d 1257, 1980 Fla. App. LEXIS 16446

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 9, 1980 | Docket: 64575781

Published

The appellants were arrested for violation of Section 570.15, and they were read their Miranda rights. Subsequently

State v. Webb

378 So. 2d 884, 1979 Fla. App. LEXIS 16276

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 27, 1979 | Docket: 64573716

Published

placed Ms. Webb under arrest for violation of Section 570.15, Florida Statutes (1977). He read the Miranda

Holec v. State

376 So. 2d 401, 1979 Fla. App. LEXIS 16033

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 12, 1979 | Docket: 64572593

Published

inspection station, without stopping for inspection, Section 570.15(2), Florida Statutes (1977), and, with appellant’s

Dennis v. State

373 So. 2d 47, 1979 Fla. App. LEXIS 15165

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 5, 1979 | Docket: 64571147

Published

station station to post bond for violation of § 570.15, Fla. Stat., which requires trucks to stop at

Eden v. State

370 So. 2d 826, 1979 Fla. App. LEXIS 14730

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 4, 1979 | Docket: 64570104

Published

vehicle by an agricultural inspector pursuant to Section 570.15, Florida Statutes (1977), claiming (1) that

Stephenson v. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

329 So. 2d 373, 1976 Fla. App. LEXIS 14054

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 30, 1976 | Docket: 64553009

Published

entry of the trial court’s order appealed from, Section 570.15, Florida Statutes, was amended. This being