Fla. Stat. 775.24
Duty of the court to uphold laws governing sexual predators and sexual offenders


(1)

The Legislature finds that, for the purpose of approving a plea agreement or for other reasons, certain courts enter orders that effectively limit or nullify requirements imposed upon sexual predators and sexual offenders pursuant to the laws of this state and prevent persons or entities from carrying out the duties imposed, or exercising the authority conferred, by such laws. The laws relating to sexual predators and sexual offenders are substantive law. Furthermore, the Congress of the United States has expressly encouraged every state to enact such laws, and has provided that, to the extent that a state’s laws do not meet certain federal requirements, the state will lose significant federal funding provided to the state for law enforcement and public safety programs. Unless a court that enters such an order determines that a person or entity is not operating in accordance with the laws governing sexual predators or sexual offenders, or that such laws or any part of such laws are unconstitutional or unconstitutionally applied, the court unlawfully encroaches on the Legislature’s exclusive power to make laws and places at risk significant public interests of the state.

(2)

If a person meets the criteria in this chapter for designation as a sexual predator or meets the criteria in s. 943.0435, s. 944.606, s. 944.607, or any other law for classification as a sexual offender, the court may not enter an order, for the purpose of approving a plea agreement or for any other reason, which:Exempts a person who meets the criteria for designation as a sexual predator or classification as a sexual offender from such designation or classification, or exempts such person from the requirements for registration or community and public notification imposed upon sexual predators and sexual offenders;Restricts the compiling, reporting, or release of public records information that relates to sexual predators or sexual offenders; orPrevents any person or entity from performing its duties or operating within its statutorily conferred authority as such duty or authority relates to sexual predators or sexual offenders.

(a)

Exempts a person who meets the criteria for designation as a sexual predator or classification as a sexual offender from such designation or classification, or exempts such person from the requirements for registration or community and public notification imposed upon sexual predators and sexual offenders;

(b)

Restricts the compiling, reporting, or release of public records information that relates to sexual predators or sexual offenders; or

(c)

Prevents any person or entity from performing its duties or operating within its statutorily conferred authority as such duty or authority relates to sexual predators or sexual offenders.

(3)

If the court enters an order that affects an agency’s performance of a duty imposed under the laws governing sexual predators or sexual offenders, or that limits the agency’s exercise of authority conferred under such laws, the Legislature strongly encourages the affected agency to file a motion in the court that entered such order. The affected agency may, within 1 year after the receipt of any such order, move to modify or set aside the order or, if such order is in the nature of an injunction, move to dissolve the injunction. Grounds for granting any such motion include, but need not be limited to:The affected agency was not properly noticed.The court is not authorized to enjoin the operation of a statute that has been duly adjudged constitutional and operative unless the statute is illegally applied or unless the statute or the challenged part of it is unconstitutional on adjudicated grounds.Jurisdiction may not be conferred by consent of the parties.To the extent that the order is based upon actions the agency might take, the court’s order is premature and, if and when such actions are taken, these actions may be challenged in appropriate proceedings to determine their enforceability.The injunction affects the public interest and would cause injury to the public.The order creates an unenforceable, perpetual injunction.The order seeks to restrict the agency in the performance of its duties outside the court’s territorial jurisdiction.

(a)

The affected agency was not properly noticed.

(b)

The court is not authorized to enjoin the operation of a statute that has been duly adjudged constitutional and operative unless the statute is illegally applied or unless the statute or the challenged part of it is unconstitutional on adjudicated grounds.

(c)

Jurisdiction may not be conferred by consent of the parties.

(d)

To the extent that the order is based upon actions the agency might take, the court’s order is premature and, if and when such actions are taken, these actions may be challenged in appropriate proceedings to determine their enforceability.

(e)

The injunction affects the public interest and would cause injury to the public.

(f)

The order creates an unenforceable, perpetual injunction.

(g)

The order seeks to restrict the agency in the performance of its duties outside the court’s territorial jurisdiction.

Source: Section 775.24 — Duty of the court to uphold laws governing sexual predators and sexual offenders, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0775.­24 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

775.01
Common law of England
775.02
Punishment of common-law offenses
775.03
Benefit of clergy
775.04
What penal acts or omissions not public offenses
775.08
Classes and definitions of offenses
775.011
Short title
775.012
General purposes
775.13
Registration of convicted felons, exemptions
775.14
Limitation on withheld sentences
775.15
Time limitations
775.16
Drug offenses
775.21
The Florida Sexual Predators Act
775.021
Rules of construction
775.022
Effect of reenactment or amendment of criminal statutes
775.24
Duty of the court to uphold laws governing sexual predators and sexual offenders
775.25
Prosecutions for acts or omissions
775.26
Registration of career offenders and public notification
775.027
Insanity defense
775.30
Terrorism
775.31
Facilitating or furthering terrorism
775.32
Use of military-type training provided by a designated foreign terrorist organization
775.33
Providing material support or resources for terrorism or to terrorist organizations
775.34
Membership in a designated foreign terrorist organization
775.35
Agroterrorism
775.051
Voluntary intoxication
775.081
Classifications of felonies and misdemeanors
775.082
Penalties
775.083
Fines
775.084
Violent career criminals
775.085
Evidencing prejudice while committing offense
775.087
Possession or use of weapon
775.089
Restitution
775.091
Public service
775.215
Residency restriction for persons convicted of certain sex offenses
775.261
The Florida Career Offender Registration Act
775.0823
Violent offenses committed against specified justice system personnel
775.0824
Dangerous unauthorized alien offender
775.0835
Fines
775.0837
Habitual misdemeanor offenders
775.0841
Legislative findings and intent
775.0842
Persons subject to career criminal prosecution efforts
775.0843
Policies to be adopted for career criminal cases
775.0844
White Collar Crime Victim Protection Act
775.0845
Wearing mask while committing offense
775.0846
Possession of bulletproof vest while committing certain offenses
775.0847
Possession or promotion of certain images of child pornography
775.0849
Public service announcements
775.0861
Offenses against persons on the grounds of religious institutions
775.0862
Sexual offenses against students by authority figures
775.0863
Evidencing prejudice while committing offense against person with mental or physical disability
775.0871
Public service announcements
775.0875
Unlawful taking, possession, or use of law enforcement officer’s firearm
775.0877
Criminal transmission of HIV
775.08435
Prohibition on withholding adjudication in felony cases

Current through Fall 2025

§ 775.24. Duty of the court to uphold laws governing sexual predators & sexual offenders's source at flsenate​.gov