(1) It is unlawful for any person who is not a party to a lease contract, conditional sale contract, or security agreement which transfers any right or interest in a motor vehicle to:

(a) Obtain or exercise control over the motor vehicle and then sell, transfer, assign, or lease the motor vehicle to another person without first obtaining written authorization from the secured creditor, lessor, or lienholder for the sale, transfer, assignment, or lease if he or she receives compensation or other consideration for the sale, transfer, assignment, or lease of the motor vehicle; or

Attorney's Note

Under the Florida Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Felony of the third degreeup to 5 yearsup to $5,000
For details, see Fla. Stat. § 775.082(3)(e)

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Terms Used In Florida Statutes 817.5621

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • 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
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
(b) Assist, cause, or arrange the actual or purported sale, transfer, assignment, or lease of the motor vehicle to another person without first obtaining written authorization from the secured creditor, lessor, or lienholder for the sale, transfer, assignment, or lease if he or she receives compensation or other consideration for assisting, causing, or arranging the sale, transfer, assignment, or lease of the motor vehicle.
(2) Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(3) Notwithstanding any other remedy or relief to which a person is entitled, anyone suffering damage as a result of a violation of this section may bring an action to recover or obtain actual damages, equitable relief, including, but not limited to, an injunction or restitution of money and property, punitive damages, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, and any other relief the court deems proper.