Florida Statutes
Fla. Stat. § 760.51 (2025)
Violations of constitutional rights, civil action by the Attorney General; civil penalty.
✓ 2025 Florida Statutes — current through the 2025 Regular Session
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760.51 Violations of constitutional rights, civil action by the Attorney General; civil penalty.—
(1) Whenever any person, whether or not acting under color of law, interferes by threats, intimidation, or coercion, or attempts to interfere by threats, intimidation, or coercion, with the exercise or enjoyment by any other person of rights secured by the State Constitution or laws of this state, the Attorney General may bring a civil or administrative action for damages, and for injunctive or other appropriate relief for violations of the rights secured. Any damages recovered under this section shall accrue to the injured person. The civil action shall be brought in the name of the state and may be brought on behalf of the injured person. The Attorney General is entitled to an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs if the Department of Legal Affairs prevails in an action brought under this section.
(2) Any person who interferes by threats, intimidation, or coercion, or attempts to interfere by threats, intimidation, or coercion, with the exercise or enjoyment by any other person of rights secured by the State Constitution or laws of this state is liable for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation. This penalty may be recovered in any action brought under this section by the Attorney General. A civil penalty so collected shall accrue to the state and shall be deposited as received into the General Revenue Fund unallocated.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2001–2022 · leading case: Ass'n for Disabled Americans, Inc. v. Amoco Oil Co., 211 F.R.D. 457 (S.D. Fla. 2002).
Ass'n for Disabled Americans, Inc. v. Amoco Oil Co., 211 F.R.D. 457 (S.D. Fla. 2002). “100 (2001); La.Rev.Stat. Ann. §§ 51:2261(e)(8), 51:2235(9) (2001); R.”
Hous. Opportunities Proj. for Excellence, Inc. v. Spv Realty, Lc, 212 So. 3d 419 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016). “In almost identical language, with his “rights secured by the State Constitution or laws of th[e] state”, section 760.51, and a law prohibiting discrimination in evaluating membership in clubs that have more than 400 members, section 760.”
St. John v. Coisman, 799 So. 2d 1110 (Fla. 5th DCA 2001). “Punishment for the kind of civil rights violation which occurred in this case and for which the punitive damage award was imposed, would be governed by section 760.51, Florida Statutes (2000), Violations of constitutional rights, civil action by the Attorney General; civil…”
Newcome v. Hernando Cnty. Sheriff's Off. (M.D. Fla. 2022). “To the extent that Plaintiffs are attempting to assert any claims under § 760.51, F.S., this statute is inapplicable to this action.”
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