Florida Statutes
Chapter 933 - Search and Inspection Warrants
933.18 - When Warrant May Be Issued for Search of Private Dwelling.


(1) It is being used for the unlawful sale, possession, or manufacture of intoxicating liquor;
(2) Stolen or embezzled property is contained therein;
(3) It is being used to carry on gambling;
(4) It is being used to perpetrate frauds and swindles;
(5) The law relating to narcotics or drug abuse is being violated therein;
(6) A weapon, instrumentality, or means by which a felony has been committed, or evidence relevant to proving said felony has been committed, is contained therein;
(7) One or more of the following child abuse offenses is being committed there:
(a) Interference with custody, in violation of s. 787.03.
(b) Commission of an unnatural and lascivious act with a child, in violation of s. 800.02.
(c) Exposure of sexual organs to a child, in violation of s. 800.03.

(8) It is in part used for some business purpose such as a store, shop, saloon, restaurant, hotel, boardinghouse, or lodginghouse;
(9) It is being used for the unlawful sale, possession, or purchase of wildlife, saltwater products, or freshwater fish being unlawfully kept therein;
(10) The laws in relation to cruelty to animals, as provided in chapter 828, have been or are being violated therein; or
(11) An instrumentality or means by which sexual cyberharassment has been committed in violation of s. 784.049, or evidence relevant to proving that sexual cyberharassment has been committed in violation of s. 784.049, is contained therein.

If, during a search pursuant to a warrant issued under this section, a child is discovered and appears to be in imminent danger, the law enforcement officer conducting such search may remove the child from the private dwelling and take the child into protective custody pursuant to chapter 39. The term “private dwelling” shall be construed to include the room or rooms used and occupied, not transiently but solely as a residence, in an apartment house, hotel, boardinghouse, or lodginghouse. No warrant shall be issued for the search of any private dwelling under any of the conditions hereinabove mentioned except on sworn proof by affidavit of some creditable witness that he or she has reason to believe that one of said conditions exists, which affidavit shall set forth the facts on which such reason for belief is based.

History.—s. 19, ch. 9321, 1923; s. 2, ch. 10273, 1925; CGL 8518; s. 1, ch. 57-418; s. 1, ch. 67-348; s. 1, ch. 69-18; s. 1, ch. 74-318; s. 1, ch. 78-126; s. 1, ch. 78-345; s. 1, ch. 86-93; s. 1, ch. 88-298; s. 59, ch. 88-381; s. 4, ch. 93-4; s. 1576, ch. 97-102; s. 161, ch. 98-403; s. 3, ch. 2003-188; s. 3, ch. 2006-114; s. 28, ch. 2010-117; s. 3, ch. 2015-24; s. 4, ch. 2019-53.

Structure Florida Statutes

Florida Statutes

Title XLVII - Criminal Procedure and Corrections

Chapter 933 - Search and Inspection Warrants

933.01 - Persons Competent to Issue Search Warrant.

933.02 - Grounds for Issuance of Search Warrant.

933.03 - Destruction of Obscene Prints and Literature.

933.04 - Affidavits.

933.05 - Issuance in Blank Prohibited.

933.06 - Sworn Application Required Before Issuance.

933.07 - Issuance of Search Warrants.

933.08 - Search Warrants to Be Served by Officers Mentioned Therein.

933.09 - Officer May Break Open Door, etc., to Execute Warrant.

933.10 - Execution of Search Warrant During Day or Night.

933.101 - Service on Sunday.

933.11 - Duplicate to Be Delivered When Warrant Served.

933.12 - Return and Inventory.

933.13 - Copy of Inventory Shall Be Delivered Upon Request.

933.14 - Return of Property Taken Under Search Warrant.

933.15 - Obstruction of Service or Execution of Search Warrant; Penalty.

933.16 - Maliciously Procuring Search Warrant to Be Issued; Penalty.

933.17 - Exceeding Authority in Executing Search Warrant; Penalty.

933.18 - When Warrant May Be Issued for Search of Private Dwelling.

933.19 - Searches and Seizures of Vehicles Carrying Contraband or Illegal Intoxicating Liquors or Merchandise.

933.20 - “Inspection Warrant”; Definition.

933.21 - Requirements for Issuance of Inspection Warrant.

933.22 - When Cause Deemed to Exist.

933.23 - Examination of Applicant for Inspection Warrant.

933.24 - Issuance of Inspection Warrant; Contents.

933.25 - Duration of Inspection Warrant.

933.26 - Conduct of Inspection; Notice.

933.27 - Refusal to Permit Authorized Inspection; Penalty.

933.28 - Maliciously Causing Issuance of Inspection Warrant; Penalty.

933.29 - Powers of State Agency Not Restricted.

933.30 - Inspector; Restrictions on Giving Information, Testifying, Etc.

933.40 - Agriculture Warrants.