HB 489

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to public corruption; creating s.
3775.0876, F.S.; providing for the reclassification of
4criminal offenses committed "under color of law";
5providing an effective date.
6
7Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
8
9     Section 1.  Section 775.0876, Florida Statutes, is created
10to read:
11     775.0876  Offenses committed under color of law;
12reclassification.-The penalty for any felony or misdemeanor
13offense shall be reclassified if the commission of such offense
14was furthered or facilitated by a person acting under color of
15law. As used in this section, the term "under color of law"
16means conduct based on public authority or position or the
17assertion of such authority or position.
18     (1)  The reclassification of the felony or misdemeanor is
19as follows:
20     (a)  A misdemeanor of the second degree is reclassified as
21a misdemeanor of the first degree.
22     (b)  A misdemeanor of the first degree is reclassified as a
23felony of the third degree.
24     (c)  A felony of the third degree is reclassified as a
25felony of the second degree.
26     (d)  A felony of the second degree is reclassified as a
27felony of the first degree.
28     (e)  A felony of the first degree is reclassified as a life
29felony.
30     (2)  For purposes of sentencing under chapter 921, a felony
31offense that is reclassified under this section shall be ranked
32one level above its ranking under s. 921.0022 or s. 921.0023.
33     (3)  Reclassification does not apply if the underlying
34misdemeanor or felony offense has conduct committed under color
35of law as one of its necessary elements.
36     Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2010.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.