Florida Statutes 815.061 – Offenses against public utilities
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
|
Other versions
(1) As used in this section, the term “public utility” includes:
For details, see Fla. Stat. § 775.082(3)(d) and Fla. Stat. § 775.082(3)(e)
(a) A public utility or electric utility as defined in s. 366.02.
Attorney's Note
Under the Florida Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Felony of the second degree | up to 15 years | up to $10,000 |
| Felony of the third degree | up to 5 years | up to $5,000 |
Terms Used In Florida Statutes 815.061
- Access: means to approach, instruct, communicate with, store data in, retrieve data from, or otherwise make use of any resources of a computer, a computer system, a computer network, or an electronic device. See Florida Statutes 815.03
- Computer: means an internally programmed, automatic device that performs data processing. See Florida Statutes 815.03
- Computer contaminant: means any set of computer instructions designed to modify, damage, destroy, record, or transmit information within a computer, computer system, or computer network without the intent or permission of the owner of the information. See Florida Statutes 815.03
- Computer network: means a system that provides a medium for communication between one or more computer systems or electronic devices, including communication with an input or output device such as a display terminal, printer, or other electronic equipment that is connected to the computer systems or electronic devices by physical or wireless telecommunication facilities. See Florida Statutes 815.03
- Computer system: means a device or collection of devices, including support devices, one or more of which contain computer programs, electronic instructions, or input data and output data, and which perform functions, including, but not limited to, logic, arithmetic, data storage, retrieval, communication, or control. See Florida Statutes 815.03
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Electronic device: means a device or a portion of a device that is designed for and capable of communicating across a computer network with other computers or devices for the purpose of transmitting, receiving, or storing data, including, but not limited to, a cellular telephone, tablet, or other portable device designed for and capable of communicating with or across a computer network and that is actually used for such purpose. See Florida Statutes 815.03
- Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
- 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
(b) A utility as defined in s. 367.021.
(c) A natural gas transmission company as defined in s. 368.103.
(d) A person, corporation, partnership, association, public agency, municipality, cooperative, gas district, or other legal entity and their lessees, trustees, or receivers, now or hereafter owning, operating, managing, or controlling gas transmission or distribution facilities or any other facility supplying or storing natural or manufactured gas or liquefied gas with air admixture or any similar gaseous substances by pipeline to or for the public within this state.
(e) A separate legal entity created under s. 163.01 and composed of any of the entities described in this subsection for the purpose of providing utility services in this state, including wholesale power and electric transmission services.
(2) A person may not willfully, knowingly, and without authorization:
(a) Gain access to a computer, computer system, computer network, or electronic device owned, operated, or used by a public utility while knowing that such access is unauthorized.
(b) Physically tamper with, insert a computer contaminant into, or otherwise transmit commands or electronic communications to a computer, computer system, computer network, or electronic device that causes a disruption in any service delivered by a public utility.