(1) A person may not:
(a) Intercept any police radio communication by use of a scanner or any other means for the purpose of using that communication to assist in committing a crime or to escape from or avoid detection, arrest, trial, conviction, or punishment in connection with the commission of such crime.
(b) Divulge the existence, contents, substance, purport, effect, or meaning of a police radio communication to any person he or she knows to be a suspect in the commission of a crime with the intent that the suspect may escape from or avoid detention, arrest, trial, conviction, or punishment.
(2) Any person who is charged with a crime and who, during the time such crime was committed, possessed or used a police scanner or similar device capable of receiving police radio transmissions is presumed to have violated paragraph (1)(a).
(3) The penalty for a crime that is committed by a person who violates paragraph (1)(a) shall be enhanced as follows:
(a) A misdemeanor of the second degree shall be punished as if it were a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(b) A misdemeanor of the first degree shall be punished as if it were a felony of the third degree.
(c) A felony of the third degree shall be punished as if it were a felony of the second degree.
(d) A felony of the second degree shall be punished as if it were a felony of the first degree.
(e) A felony of the first degree shall be punished as if it were a life felony.
(4) Any person who violates paragraph (1)(b) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
History.—s. 8, ch. 2001-127.
Structure Florida Statutes
Chapter 843 - Obstructing Justice
843.01 - Resisting Officer With Violence to His or Her Person.
843.02 - Resisting Officer Without Violence to His or Her Person.
843.021 - Unlawful Possession of a Concealed Handcuff Key.
843.025 - Depriving Officer of Means of Protection or Communication.
843.03 - Obstruction by Disguised Person.
843.04 - Refusing to Assist Prison Officers in Arresting Escaped Convicts.
843.05 - Resisting Timber Agent.
843.06 - Neglect or Refusal to Aid Peace Officers.
843.081 - Prohibited Use of Certain Lights; Penalty.
843.085 - Unlawful Use of Badges or Other Indicia of Authority.
843.0855 - Criminal Actions Under Color of Law or Through Use of Simulated Legal Process.
843.09 - Escape Through Voluntary Action of Officer.
843.10 - Escape by Negligence of Officer.
843.11 - Conveying Tools Into Jail to Aid Escape; Forcible Rescue.
843.13 - Aiding Escape of Juvenile Inmates of Correctional Institutions.
843.15 - Failure of Defendant on Bail to Appear.
843.167 - Unlawful Use of Police Communications; Enhanced Penalties.
843.17 - Publishing Name and Address of Law Enforcement Officer.
843.18 - Boats; Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer.
843.19 - Offenses Against Police Canines, Fire Canines, Sar Canines, or Police Horses.
843.21 - Depriving Crime Victim of Medical Care.
843.22 - Traveling Across County Lines With Intent to Commit a Burglary.