Title V, Judicial Branch

The provisions of ss. 30.01-30.04, as to number of sureties, affidavits of residence and justification of same shall not apply to solvent surety companies authorized to do business and execute bonds in this state.History.—s. 4, ch. 3724, 1887; RS 1237; GS 1666; RGS 2871; CGL 4568…

The sureties, if any, are liable for all fines and amercements imposed upon the principal, or sheriff.History.—s. 4, ch. 987, 1859; RS 1240; GS 1669; RGS 2874; CGL 4571; s. 1, ch. 20719, 1941; s. 12, ch. 98-34.

Sheriffs may appoint deputies to act under them who shall have the same power as the sheriff appointing them, and for the neglect and default of whom in the execution of their office the sheriff shall be responsible.History.—s. 4, ch. 1659, 1868; RS 1247; GS 1675; RGS 2881; CGL 4…

(1) This act applies to all deputy sheriffs, with the following exceptions:(a) Deputy sheriffs in a county that, by special act of the Legislature, local charter, ordinance, or otherwise, has established rights and procedures for deputy sheriffs which are equivalent to or greater…

As used in this act, the term:(1) “Actual, continuous service” means the time during which a deputy sheriff performs the duties and responsibilities of the position to which she or he is appointed.(2) “Deputy sheriff” means a law enforcement officer appointed by the sheriff and c…

(1) A sheriff has exclusive power to appoint a deputy sheriff. However, a person may not be appointed as a deputy sheriff unless the person meets all qualifications set out in the Florida Statutes.(2)(a) A person’s appointment as a deputy sheriff is not a regular appointment unti…

When a deputy sheriff to whom the provisions of this act apply has served for a period of 1 calendar year, such deputy sheriff shall have attained regular deputy status in the office of the sheriff. Any deputy who is required to serve a probationary period attendant to a promotio…

(1) Each sheriff shall establish a review board to review, pursuant to appeals taken under ss. 30.071-30.079, terminations taken by the sheriff against regularly appointed deputy sheriffs for lawful off-duty political activity or for discriminatory reasons.(2) Each member of a re…

(1) The sheriff may not terminate a regularly appointed deputy sheriff for exercising lawful off-duty political rights.(2) The review board shall be utilized to make the determination as to whether or not the termination of a deputy sheriff was politically or discriminatorily mot…

A review board shall determine the truth while maintaining an atmosphere of fundamental fairness.History.—s. 8, ch. 94-143.

When a newly elected or appointed sheriff assumes office, the incoming sheriff may not terminate the employment of any deputy sheriff covered by ss. 30.071-30.079 for lawful off-duty political activity or for a discriminatory reason. The incoming sheriff may replace deputy sherif…

The provisions of this act shall not be construed to provide deputy sheriffs with a property interest or expectancy of continued appointment as a deputy sheriff, nor shall these provisions serve as a limitation of the sheriff’s authority as a constitutional officer to determine u…

(1) BOND, SURETIES, PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES.—(a) Each deputy sheriff who is appointed shall give bond as required by the board of county commissioners. The amount of the bond and the bond must be approved by the board of county commissioners. The bond must be filed with the clerk…

The place of office of every sheriff shall be at the county seat of the county.History.—s. 3, Feb. 12, 1834; RS 1248; GS 1676; RGS 2884; CGL 4581.

If any sheriff in the state fails to attend, in person or by deputy, the circuit court or county court of the county, from sickness, death, or other cause, the judge attending the court may appoint an interim sheriff, who shall assume all the responsibilities, perform all the dut…

(1) Upon the expiration of the term of office, the sheriff shall deliver to his or her successor in office, taking a receipt for the same, the following:(a) All such writs and processes as shall remain in his or her hands unexecuted; and(b) All persons who are held in confinement…

(1) Sheriffs, in their respective counties, in person or by deputy, shall:(a) Execute all process of the Supreme Court, circuit courts, county courts, and boards of county commissioners of this state, to be executed in their counties.(b) Execute such other writs, processes, warra…

For every false return, the sheriff shall forfeit and pay $500, one moiety thereof to the party aggrieved, and the other moiety to him or her who will sue for the same, to be recovered with costs by action of debt; and the said sheriff shall be further liable to an action of the …

If any sheriff fails to collect or pay over fines, fees, costs, or other moneys adjudged to the state which he or she has been by proper process directed to collect, the sheriff forfeits his or her commissions and also is liable for a fine of $50, to be recovered by motion before…

Sheriffs, when sued in their official capacity, may accept service, and when so sued with others may serve their codefendants and receive the fees allowed by law, except no fees shall be allowed for acceptance of service.History.—s. 1, ch. 4411, 1895; GS 1674; RGS 2879; CGL 4576;…

(1) The sheriffs of all counties of the state in civil cases shall charge fixed, nonrefundable fees for service of process, according to the following schedule:(a) All summons or writs except executions: $40 for each summons or writ to be served.(b) All writs except executions re…

(1) The sheriff of any county of the state, when required to go beyond the limits of this state to bring back a prisoner charged with any offense or who has been convicted of any crime in this state and has escaped, shall receive the actual and necessary expense on account of ret…

No sheriff or coroner shall charge constructive mileage. The mileage charged for must be actually traveled by the nearest and most direct route by the public highway.History.—s. 2, ch. 3106, 1879; RS 1256; GS 1684; RGS 2894; CGL 4592; s. 4, ch. 73-334.

(1) The sheriffs of the respective counties of the state be and they are hereby authorized and empowered to furnish adequate guard service to vital war industries if requested to so do by such industries; provided, such industries reimburse said sheriffs the actual cost of such g…

(1) A sheriff may operate or administer a program to contract for the employment of sheriff’s deputies, during off-duty hours, for public or private security services.(2)(a) Any such public or private employer of a deputy sheriff shall be responsible for the acts or omissions of …

(1) The sheriff of any county of the state is hereby authorized to temporarily close any public beach, park, or other public recreation facility within the sheriff’s jurisdiction when in his or her discretion conditions exist which present a clear and present or probable threat o…

(1) Whenever any writ, issuing out of any court of this state, shall be delivered to a sheriff, commanding the sheriff to levy upon property specifically described therein, it shall be his or her duty to levy upon such property. If no property is specifically described in the wri…

(1) The color combination of forest green and white is adopted as the official color for use on the motor vehicles and motorcycles used by the various sheriffs of Florida and their deputies.(2) For purposes of uniformity and in aid of the recognition of their official identity by…

Each sheriff shall receive for the performance of official duties as sheriff an annual salary, which shall be payable monthly, twice per month, or biweekly; provided, that compensation for service in office for a part of a calendar month shall be paid in the proportion that the d…

(1) Pursuant to s. 129.03(2), each sheriff shall annually prepare and submit to the board of county commissioners a proposed budget for carrying out the powers, duties, and operations of the office for the next fiscal year. The fiscal year of the sheriff commences on October 1 an…

(1) The sheriff shall requisition and the board of county commissioners shall pay him or her, at the first meeting in October of each year, and each month thereafter, one-twelfth of the total amount budgeted for the office; provided, that at the first meeting in January of each y…

The sheriff may provide meals and lodging to bailiffs appointed by the sheriff who, by order of any court, provide security to sequestered juries.History.—s. 2, ch. 88-212.

(1) No bills shall be rendered to the county for any services, nor shall any fees, commissions, or other remuneration for official services as sheriff be paid by the board of county commissioners of any county to the sheriff of the county except as provided by this section. All f…

The sheriff shall keep public funds in his or her custody, either in his or her office in an amount not in excess of the burglary, theft, and robbery insurance provided, the cost of which is hereby authorized as an expense of the office, or in a depository in an amount not in exc…

The independence of the sheriffs, including a sheriff in a consolidated government, consolidated pursuant to s. 3 or s. 6(e), Art. VIII of the State Constitution or s. 9, Art. VIII of the State Constitution of 1885, as preserved by s. 6(e), Art. VIII of the State Constitution, sh…

The sheriff may obtain insurance to cover liability for damages arising out of claims for false arrests, false imprisonment, false or improper service of process, or other claims arising out of the performance of his or her duties or the duties of his or her deputies or employees…

In all cases of arrest for traffic violations, by a sheriff or a deputy sheriff, the person arrested may in the discretion of such officer be released upon his or her own recognizance or upon bond provided said officer shall obtain from such person arrested a recognizance or, if …

1A county sheriff or municipal police department may establish neighborhood crime watch programs within the county or municipality. The participants of a neighborhood crime watch program shall include, but need not be limited to, residents of the county or municipality and owners…

(1) A county sheriff may establish a civilian oversight board to review the policies and procedures of his or her office and its subdivisions.(2) The board must be composed of at least three and up to seven members appointed by the sheriff, one of whom shall be a retired law enfo…