Florida Statutes 772.12 – Drug Dealer Liability Act
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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(1) This section may be cited as the “Hugh O’Connor Memorial Act.”
(2) A person, including any governmental entity, has a cause of action for threefold the actual damages sustained and is entitled to minimum damages in the amount of $1,000 and reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs in the trial and appellate courts, if the person proves by the greater weight of the evidence that:
(a) The person was injured because of the defendant‘s actions that resulted in the defendant’s conviction for:
1. A violation of s. 893.13, except for a violation of s. 893.13(2)(a) or (b), (3), (5), (6)(a), (b), or (c), (7); or
2. A violation of s. 893.135; and
Terms Used In Florida Statutes 772.12
- Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- minor: includes any person who has not attained the age of 18 years. See Florida Statutes 1.01
- Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
- person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
- Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
(b) The person was not injured by reason of his or her participation in the same act or transaction that resulted in the defendant’s conviction for any offense described in subparagraph (a)1.
(3) For purposes of this section, the term “conviction” means a finding of guilt, with or without adjudication of guilt, as a result of a jury verdict, nonjury trial, or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.
(4) A person who has a cause of action under this section may recover the damages allowed under this section from the parent or legal guardian of an unemancipated minor who is liable for the damages and who lives with his or her parent or legal guardian, if the person proves by clear and convincing evidence that the parent or legal guardian was aware of or recklessly disregarded facts demonstrating that the minor intended to commit the act giving rise to a cause of action under this section. The parent or legal guardian of an unemancipated minor is not liable under this section, under any circumstance, for the actions of the minor, if the court finds that the parent or legal guardian made a good faith effort to prevent the minor from engaging in the act giving rise to a cause of action under this section.
(5) A defendant may recover reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs in the trial and appellate courts upon a finding that there is a complete absence of a justiciable issue of either law or fact raised by the complaint.