Fla. Stat. 901.19
Right of officer to break into building

(1)

If a peace officer fails to gain admittance after she or he has announced her or his authority and purpose in order to make an arrest either by a warrant or when authorized to make an arrest for a felony without a warrant, the officer may use all necessary and reasonable force to enter any building or property where the person to be arrested is or is reasonably believed to be.

(2)

When any of the implements, devices, or apparatus commonly used for gambling purposes are found in any house, room, booth, or other place used for the purpose of gambling, a peace officer shall seize and hold them subject to the discretion of the court, to be used as evidence, and afterwards they shall be publicly destroyed in the presence of witnesses under order of the court to that effect.

Source: Section 901.19 — Right of officer to break into building, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0901.­19 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

901.01
Judicial officers have committing authority 901.02
Issuance of arrest warrants 901.04
Direction and execution of warrant 901.07
Admission to bail when arrest occurs in another county 901.08
Issue of warrant when offense triable in another county 901.09
When summons shall be issued 901.10
How summons served 901.11
Effect of not answering summons 901.12
Summons against corporation 901.14
Effect of failure by corporation to answer summons 901.15
When arrest by officer without warrant is lawful 901.16
Method of arrest by officer by a warrant 901.17
Method of arrest by officer without warrant 901.18
Officer may summon assistance 901.19
Right of officer to break into building 901.20
Use of force to effect release of person making arrest detained in building 901.21
Search of person arrested 901.22
Arrest after escape or rescue 901.24
Right of person arrested to consult attorney 901.25
Fresh pursuit 901.26
Arrest and detention of foreign nationals 901.28
Notice to appear for misdemeanors or violations of municipal or county ordinances 901.29
Authorization to take person to medical facility 901.31
Failure to obey written promise to appear 901.35
Financial responsibility for medical expenses 901.36
Prohibition against giving false name or false identification by person arrested or lawfully detained 901.41
Prearrest diversion programs 901.43
Dissemination of arrest booking photographs 901.151
Stop and Frisk Law 901.211
Strip searches of persons arrested 901.215
Search of person arrested for identifying device indicating a medical disability 901.245
Interpreter services for deaf persons 901.252
Authority to patrol municipally owned or leased property and facilities outside municipal limits 901.1503
When notice to appear by officer without warrant is lawful 901.1505
Federal law enforcement officers

Current through Fall 2025

§ 901.19. Right of officer to break into building's source at flsenate​.gov