9.2 FALSE IMPRISONMENT

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
9.2
Statute
§ 787.02, 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 Imprisonment, the State must prove the following two elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

1. (Defendant) [forcibly] [secretly] [by threat]

[confined]

[abducted]

[imprisoned]

[restrained]

(victim) against [his] [her] will.

2. (Defendant) had no lawful authority to do so.

Further findings

Special findings, enhancements, inferences and exceptions the instruction gives when they apply, word for word.

If a violation of § 787.02(3), Fla. Stat., is charged, instruct as follows:

If you find the defendant guilty of False Imprisonment, you must also determine whether the State has proved the following aggravating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt:

1. At the time of the False Imprisonment, (victim) was under 13 years of age;

and

2. In the course of committing the False Imprisonment, (defendant) committed [an Aggravated Child Abuse] [a Sexual Battery against (victim)] [a Lewd or Lascivious Battery] [a Lewd or Lascivious Molestation] [a Lewd or Lascivious Conduct] [a Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition] [a Procuring a Child for Prostitution upon (victim)] [a Forcing, Compelling, or Coercing Another to Become a Prostitute upon (victim)] [an Exploitation of a Child upon (victim)] [Human Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Activity in which [a Child under the Age of 18] [an adult believed by the defendant to be a child younger than 18 years of age] [a Mentally Defective Person] [or] [a Mentally Incapacitated Person] was Involved] [Capital Human Trafficking of Vulnerable Persons for Sexual Exploitation]. Define applicable felony unless included in other instructions.

If the State has charged and is seeking the adult-on-minor sex offense multiplier in § 921.0024(1)(b), Fla. Stat., instruct as follows. Alleyne v. United States, 133 S. Ct. 2151 (2013).

If you find the defendant guilty of False Imprisonment, you must also determine whether the State has proved the following four elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

1. At the time of the False Imprisonment, (defendant) was 18 years of age or older.

2. At the time of the False Imprisonment, (victim) was younger than 18 years of age.

3. The False Imprisonment was committed on or after October 1, 2014.

4. In the course of committing the False Imprisonment, (defendant) committed [Sexual Battery] [Lewd or Lascivious Battery] [Lewd or Lascivious Molestation] [Lewd or Lascivious Conduct] [Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition] [Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition Over a Computer Service] against (same victim as in element #2). Define applicable felony unless included in other instructions.

Lesser-included offenses

As the instruction lists them, word for word.

FALSE IMPRISONMENT* — 787.02

CATEGORY ONECATEGORY TWOFLA. STAT.INS. NO.
None
Attempt777.04(1)5.1
Battery784.038.3
Assault784.0118.1

Related practice page

Domestic Violence Defense in Miami · Kidnapping and False Imprisonment Defense in Miami · Violent Crimes Defense 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.

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