Florida Statute 843.18 - Full Text and Legal Analysis

The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title XLVI
CRIMES

Chapter 843
OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE

View Entire Chapter

843.18 Boats; fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer.—

(1) It is unlawful for the operator of any boat plying the waters of the state, having knowledge that she or he has been directed to stop such vessel by a duly authorized law enforcement officer, willfully to refuse or fail to stop in compliance with such directive or, having stopped in knowing compliance with such a directive, willfully to flee in an attempt to elude such officer. Any person violating this section is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(2) Any violation of this section with respect to any vessel shall constitute such vessel as contraband which may be seized by a law enforcement agency and which shall be subject to forfeiture pursuant to ss. 932.701-932.704.

History.—s. 1, ch. 80-160; s. 1, ch. 82-210; s. 29, ch. 87-243; s. 11, ch. 87-392; s. 1347, ch. 97-102.

F.S. 843.18 on Google Scholar

F.S. 843.18 on CourtListener

Amendments to 843.18

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 843.18

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

S843.18 - FLEE/ELUDE POLICE - FAIL TO STOP/FLEE POLICE IN BOAT - F: T

Cases Citing Statute 843.18

Total Results: 1

Nicor International Corp. v. El Paso Corp.

318 F. Supp. 2d 1160, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9674

District Court, S.D. Florida | Filed: May 25, 2004 | Docket: 2339650

Cited 4 times | Published

(publishing name and address of police officer); § 843.18, Fla. Stat. (boats, fleeing or attempting to elude

This Florida statute resource is curated by Graham W. Syfert, Esq., a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.