21.14 FALSE INFORMATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATING A MISSING PERSON 16 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER WHO SUFFERS [GREAT BODILY HARM] [PERMANENT DISABILITY] [PERMANENT DISFIGUREMENT] [DEATH]
Official jury instruction text reproduced for information. It is not legal advice; the instruction given in a case depends on the facts and the court.
- Instruction
- 21.14
- Statute
- § 837.055(2), Fla. Stat.
- Edition
- Florida Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases, complete set published by The Florida Bar, updated October 9, 2026
- Official source
- The Florida Bar: criminal jury instructions
Elements
Quoted word for word from the official text. Florida Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases, complete set published by The Florida Bar, updated October 9, 2026.
To prove the crime of False Information to Law Enforcement Investigating a Missing Person 16 Years of Age or Younger Who Suffers [Great Bodily Harm] [Permanent Disability] [Permanent Disfigurement] [Death], the State must prove the following six elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
1. (Name of law enforcement officer) was conducting a missing person investigation involving a child 16 years of age or younger.
2. (Name of law enforcement officer) was a law enforcement officer.
3. (Defendant) knew (name of law enforcement officer) was a law enforcement officer.
4. (Defendant) knowingly and willfully gave false information to (name of law enforcement officer).
5. (Defendant) intended to mislead (name of law enforcement officer) or impede the investigation.
6. The child who was the subject of the investigation suffered [great bodily harm] [death] [permanent [disability] [disfigurement]].
Lesser-included offenses
As the instruction lists them, word for word.
FALSE INFORMATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATING A MISSING PERSON 16 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER WHO SUFFERS [GREAT BODILY HARM] [DEATH] [PERMANENT [DISABILITY] [DISFIGUREMENT] - § 837.055(2)
| CATEGORY ONE | CATEGORY TWO | FLA. STAT. | INS. NO. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knowingly Giving False Information Concerning a Missing Person Investigation | 837.055(1) | 21.15 | |
| Knowingly Giving False Information Concerning a Felony Criminal Investigation | 837.055(1) | 21.15 | |
| Attempt | 777.04(1) | 5.1 |
Related practice page
Giving False Information to Police in Miami
Official source: The Florida Bar: criminal jury instructions
Official jury instruction text reproduced for information. It is not legal advice; the instruction given in a case depends on the facts and the court.