Florida Statute 817.39 - Full Text and Legal Analysis

817.39 Simulated forms of court or legal process, or official seal or stationery; publication, sale or circulation unlawful; penalty.—

(1) Any person or business entity who prints, for the purpose of sale or distribution and for use in the state, or who circulates, publishes, or offers for sale any letter, paper, document, notice of intent to bring suit, or other notice or demand, which simulates a form of court or legal process, or any person who without authority of the state prints, for the purpose of sale or distribution for use in the state, or who without authority of the state circulates, publishes, or offers for sale any letters, papers, or documents which simulate the seal of the state, or the stationery of a state agency or fictitious state agency commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(2) It shall be no defense that the paper or other instrument referred to in subsection (1) shall declare that it is not a court or legal process.

(3) This section does not prevent the printing, publication, sale, or distribution of genuine legal forms for the use of attorneys or clerks of courts.

History.—ss. 1-3, ch. 57-265; s. 2, ch. 65-336; s. 871, ch. 71-136; s. 240, ch. 77-104; s. 10, ch. 2015-166.

Arrestable Offenses under F.S. 817.39
M = misdemeanor · F = felony · degree: F=1st S=2nd T=3rd
§817.39FORGERY OFPRINT CIRC PUBLISH OFFER SIMULATED COURT DOCUMM · 2nd
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This Florida statute resource is curated by Florida Bar member Graham W. Syfert, a Jacksonville, Florida criminal defense attorney (Florida Bar No. 39104). Attorney Syfert regularly handles Chapter 817 matters in the context of fraud and white collar defense and represents clients throughout Northeast Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.