# Fla. Stat. § 775.012: 775.012 General purposes

> Florida · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.012

## Section

- **Citation:** Fla. Stat. § 775.012
- **Heading:** 775.012 General purposes
- **Jurisdiction:** Florida
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Florida Code / Title XLVI / Chapter 775 / Section 775.012

## Text

The general purposes of the provisions of the code are:

(1) To proscribe conduct that improperly causes or threatens substantial harm to individual or public interest.

(2) To give fair warning to the people of the state in understandable language of the nature of the conduct proscribed and of the sentences authorized upon conviction.

(3) To define clearly the material elements constituting an offense and the accompanying state of mind or criminal intent required for that offense.

(4) To differentiate on reasonable grounds between serious and minor offenses and to establish appropriate disposition for each.

(5) To safeguard conduct that is without fault or legitimate state interest from being condemned as criminal.

(6) To ensure the public safety by deterring the commission of offenses and providing for the opportunity for rehabilitation of those convicted and for their confinement when required in the interests of public protection.

History: s. 2, ch. 74-383; s. 1, ch. 77-174.

## Nearby sections

- [Fla. Stat. § 775.01 775.01 Common law of England.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.01.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 775.02 775.02 Punishment of common-law offenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.02.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 775.03 775.03 Benefit of clergy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.03.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 775.04 775.04 What penal acts or omissions not public offenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.04.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 775.08 775.08 Classes and definitions of offenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.08.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 775.011 775.011 Short title; applicability to antecedent offenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.011.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 775.012 775.012 General purposes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.012.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 775.13 775.13 Registration of convicted felons, exemptions; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.13.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 775.14 775.14 Limitation on withheld sentences.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.14.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 775.15 775.15 Time limitations; general time limitations; exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.15.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 775.16 775.16 Drug offenses; additional penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.16.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 775.021 775.021 Rules of construction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.021.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 775.21 775.21 The Florida Sexual Predators Act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.21.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 775.022 775.022 Effect of reenactment or amendment of criminal statutes; references in criminal statutes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.022.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVI_C775_S775.012. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.