Florida Statute 782.072 - Full Text and Legal Analysis

The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title XLVI
CRIMES

Chapter 782
HOMICIDE

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782.072 Vessel homicide.—

(1) As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Unborn child” has the same meaning as in s. 775.021(5)(e).

(b) “Vessel homicide” means the killing of a human being, including the death of an unborn child caused by injury to the mother, by the operation of a vessel as defined in s. 327.02 by another in a reckless manner likely to cause the death of, or great bodily harm to, another.

(2) Vessel homicide is:

(a) A felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(b) A felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, if:

1. At the time of the accident, the person knew, or should have known, that the accident occurred; and

2. The person failed to give information and render aid as required by s. 327.30(1).

This subsection does not require that the person knew that the accident resulted in injury or death.

(3) A felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, if the person has a prior conviction under this section, s. 316.193(3)(c)3., ¹s. 327.35(3)(a)3.c., or s. 782.071.

History.—s. 1, ch. 87-20; s. 15, ch. 96-330; s. 2, ch. 99-153; s. 7, ch. 2025-121; s. 11, ch. 2025-197.

¹Note.—Substituted by the editors for a reference to s. 327.35(3)(c)3., as added by s. 7, ch. 2025-121, to conform to the redesignation of existing subunits in s. 327.35 by s. 6, ch. 2025-197.

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Amendments to 782.072

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 782.072

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

S782.072 1 - HOMICIDE-NEGLIG MANSL - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 10749 - F: S

S782.072 2 - HOMICIDE-NEGLIG MANSL - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 10750 - F: F

S782.072 2a - HOMICIDE-NEGLIG MANSL - OPERATE VESSEL RECKLESSLY HOMICIDE - F: S

S782.072 2b - HOMICIDE-NEGLIG MANSL - VESSEL FAIL TO GIVE INFORMATION AND RENDER AID - F: F

S782.072 3 - HOMICIDE-NEGLIG MANSL - NEGLIGENT MANSLAUGHTER VESSEL PREV CONV - F: F

Cases Citing Statute 782.072

Total Results: 5

In Re Standard Jury Inst. in Criminal Cases-Report No. 2008-05

994 So. 2d 1038, 33 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 836, 2008 Fla. LEXIS 1974, 2008 WL 4587203

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Oct 16, 2008 | Docket: 1219604

Cited 17 times | Published

9 VEHICULAR OR VESSEL HOMICIDE § 782.071 or § 782.072, Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of [Vehicular]

In Re Jury Inst. in Crim. Cases-No. 2006-1

946 So. 2d 1061, 2006 WL 3741064

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Dec 21, 2006 | Docket: 1771263

Cited 11 times | Published

9 VEHICULAR OR VESSEL HOMICIDE § 782.071 or § 782.072, Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of [Vehicular]

In Re: Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases-Report 2018-09.

262 So. 3d 59

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 4, 2019 | Docket: 8498542

Published

VEHICULAR OR VESSEL HOMICIDE § 782.071 or § 782.072, Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of [Vehicular]

In Re STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CRIMINAL CASES-REPORT NO. 2014-08

176 So. 3d 938, 2015 WL 5853925

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Oct 8, 2015 | Docket: 2866126

Published

defines the offense of Vehicular Homicide, while section 782.072, Florida Statutes (2014), defines the offense

Marquez v. State

563 So. 2d 152, 1990 Fla. App. LEXIS 4053, 1990 WL 73198

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 5, 1990 | Docket: 64651184

Published

defendant with vessel homicide in violation of Section 782.-072(1), Florida Statutes (1987).1 Subsequently

This Florida statute resource is curated by Graham W. Syfert, Esq., a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney. Attorney Syfert regularly works with Chapter 782 in the context of wrongful death claims and represents clients throughout Northeast Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.