Fla. Stat. » 817
Florida Statutes

Fla. Stat. § 817.55 (2025)

Tourist attraction advertisement; misleading use of the word “free.”

✓ 2025 Florida Statutes — current through the 2025 Regular Session
Find cases: SyfertCases citing this section FL-LEGleg.state.fl.us JustiaFla. Statutes CornellLII Search CasesGoogle Scholar
817.55 Tourist attraction advertisement; misleading use of the word “free.”—
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons, including corporations, operating a tourist attraction, event, show, or similar places of business for profit catering to the public to use or advertise in connection therewith the words “free” or “free admission” or any similar words or words of similar or like import and meaning, in a false, misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent manner, calculated to cause or actually causing any member of the public to be misled, deceived or defrauded to his or her detriment.
(2) The state attorney for any county in which any violation of this act occurs may enjoin the use of such word or words by temporary and permanent injunction by application to any court of competent jurisdiction.
(3) Violations of this act whether or not enjoined as provided herein, shall be punishable as a misdemeanor of the second degree, as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
History.—s. 1, ch. 63-506; ss. 17, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 881, ch. 71-136; s. 1, ch. 73-283; s. 32, ch. 73-334; s. 1262, ch. 97-102; s. 24, ch. 2001-64.

Arrestable Offenses under F.S. 817.55

M = misdemeanor · F = felony · degree: F=1st S=2nd T=3rd
§817.55FRAUDMISLEADING USE OF FREE IN ATTRACTION ADM · 2nd

This Florida statute resource is curated by a Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer, 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.