WHAT THE WORDS MEAN

Also called license suspension, temporary permit

The suspension the officer starts by taking the license, with a 10 day temporary permit for a driver otherwise eligible. The driver may request a formal or informal review within 10 days after the notice issues.

Also called mutual fight, fighting in public

Fighting another person by mutual consent in a public place, to the terror of the people, a first degree misdemeanor.

Also called two party consent, recording a conversation

The consent the interception chapter turns on: a person may intercept a wire, oral or electronic communication when all of the parties to it have given prior consent.

Also called beware of dog sign

A prominent, easily readable sign including the words "Bad Dog", which relieves the owner of liability for a bite.

Also called hitting someone, simple battery

Actually and intentionally touching or striking another against their will, or intentionally causing bodily harm, a first degree misdemeanor.

Also called marijuana, weed, pot

A controlled substance. Possessing 20 grams or less is a first degree misdemeanor, and more is a third degree felony.

Also called CWL, carry permit, concealed carry

The license the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issues to an applicant who is a citizen or permanent resident, is 21 years of age or older, and meets the other criteria.

Also called personal debt, collection agency

A debt arising from a transaction primarily for personal, family or household purposes. The consumer collection practices law says what no person may do in collecting one.

Also called pattern of harassment

A series of acts over a period of time, however short, showing a continuity of purpose. Harassing is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that causes substantial emotional distress and serves no legitimate purpose.

Also called paying rent into court, registry of the court

Where a tenant who raises any defense other than payment pays the rent alleged in the eviction complaint, and the rent that comes due while the case goes on.

Also called lethal force

For an officer on duty, force likely to cause death or great bodily harm, including firing a firearm in the direction of the person to be arrested, or at a vehicle the person is riding in.

Also called FDUTPA, consumer protection

The act that makes unfair methods of competition, unconscionable acts and unfair or deceptive acts in trade or commerce unlawful.

Also called public drunkenness, drunk in public

Being intoxicated and endangering another person or property, or being intoxicated or drinking in a public place or on public transportation and causing a public disturbance, a second degree misdemeanor.

Also called family violence, abuse

Assault, battery, sexual assault, stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any crime causing injury or death, by one family or household member against another.

Also called traffic school, BDI course

The basic course a driver without a commercial license cited for many infractions may elect instead; adjudication is withheld, the civil penalty is reduced by 18 percent, and no points are assessed.

Also called DUI, drunk driving

Driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence to the extent that normal faculties are impaired, or with a blood or breath alcohol level of 0.08 or more.

Also called alimony, spousal support

Alimony for a set period, not available after a marriage of less than 3 years, and limited to a share of the marriage's length: 50 percent of a short one, 60 percent of a moderate one, 75 percent of a long one.

Also called lease break fee, liquidated damages

A charge for ending a lease early that works only if the tenant signed a separate addendum accepting it when the lease was made, and that does not exceed 2 months' rent.

Also called dividing property, marital assets

Dividing marital assets and liabilities, beginning from the premise that the distribution should be equal, after each spouse's nonmarital assets are set apart.

Also called expungement, sealing, clearing a record

Clearing a criminal history record where no charging document was filed, or charges were dismissed, nolle prossed, or ended in acquittal, for a person who meets the other conditions; it begins with a certificate of eligibility from the department.

Also called third degree felony

The lowest felony degree, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Also called false identification, lying about name

Giving a false name, or otherwise falsely identifying oneself, to an officer or jail staff after being arrested or lawfully detained, a first degree misdemeanor.

Also called felony theft

Theft of property worth $750 or more, or of a firearm or motor vehicle, a felony whose degree rises with the value.

Also called wage garnishment exemption

A person whose disposable earnings, at $750 a week or less, are all exempt from attachment or garnishment; above that, they may not be garnished unless the person agreed otherwise in writing.

Also called door to door sale, cooling off

A sale, lease or rental of consumer goods or services over $25 that the seller personally solicits and the buyer agrees to somewhere other than the seller's fixed place of business. The buyer may cancel until midnight of the third business day after signing.

Also called refusing the breath test, deemed consent

The rule that a driver lawfully arrested for driving under the influence is deemed to have consented to a breath test, and to a urine test for chemical or controlled substances. Refusing suspends the privilege to drive for 1 year.

Also called restraining order, protective order

The order against domestic violence. An ex parte temporary injunction lasts no more than 15 days, until the full hearing, and the protective terms of a final one remain until modified or dissolved.

Also called no fault divorce, dissolution of marriage

One of the two grounds on which a dissolution of marriage is granted, pleaded generally; the other is the mental incapacity of a party.

Also called shopkeeper's privilege, held by store security

A merchant's or officer's taking into custody, with probable cause to believe a retail theft was committed, and detaining the person in a reasonable manner for a reasonable time to recover the property or for prosecution.

Also called lemon, defect

A defect that substantially impairs a new vehicle's use, value or safety. The Lemon Law rights period ends 24 months after the vehicle's original delivery to a consumer.

Also called traffic ticket, civil infraction

What most traffic violations are charged as. A person who does not elect to appear pays the civil penalty, or enters a payment plan with the clerk, within 30 days after the citation is issued.

Also called deposit claim letter, certified letter about the deposit

The written notice a landlord sends within 30 days, by certified mail or by e-mail as the statute allows, stating the claim against the deposit and the reason.

Also called open beer, open alcohol in car

An open container of an alcoholic beverage, which no one may possess while operating a vehicle or while a passenger in one being operated.

Also called private conversation

A communication uttered by a person exhibiting an expectation that it is not subject to interception, under circumstances justifying that expectation.

Also called shoplifting, petty theft

Theft of property worth less than $750: a second degree misdemeanor under $100, and a first degree misdemeanor from $100 up.

Also called no trespassing signs

Land with signs placed not more than 500 feet apart along and at each corner of the boundaries, among the other methods the statute lists, which is one way notice against entering is given.

Also called bail, bond, release on recognizance

Release before trial, with a presumption in favor of nonmonetary conditions unless the person is charged with a dangerous crime as the section defines it.

Also called open records, sunshine law

Documents, papers, letters, maps, photographs, recordings, software and other material, in any form, made or received in connection with official business. All state, county and municipal records are open for inspection and copying by any person.

Also called unemployment, unemployment benefits

What Florida calls unemployment benefits. A person is disqualified for leaving work voluntarily without good cause attributable to the employer, or for discharge for misconduct connected with the work.

Also called seven day notice, withholding rent for repairs

A tenant's giving 7 days' written notice of an intent not to pay rent because the landlord has materially failed to comply, after which the failure is a complete defense to an eviction for nonpayment and the court decides how much the rent is reduced.

Also called obstruction, resisting an officer

Resisting, obstructing or opposing an officer in the lawful execution of a legal duty, without offering or doing violence, a first degree misdemeanor.

Also called retaliation, retaliatory eviction

A landlord's raising the rent, cutting services, or bringing or threatening an eviction mainly in retaliation against a tenant who in good faith complained to a code enforcement agency, joined a tenant organization, or gave notice of noncompliance.

Also called warrant

An order that issues only on probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, particularly describing the place to be searched and the person and thing to be seized, and signed by the judge who issues it.

Also called gun in the car, glove box

How a person 18 years of age or older in lawful possession of a handgun may keep it inside a private vehicle: securely encased or otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use.

Also called deposit, advance rent

Money a landlord holds for a tenant, kept in a separate account in a Florida financial institution, or covered by a surety bond instead. With no claim against it, it comes back with any interest owed within 15 days after the lease ends.

Also called lockout, utility shutoff, changed the locks

A landlord's cutting utility service, changing the locks or using a bootlock to keep the tenant out, removing doors, windows or walls, or removing the tenant's belongings outside a lawful eviction. It is prohibited.

Also called serious injury

A physical condition creating a substantial risk of death, serious disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a bodily member or organ.

Also called time limit to sue, old debt

The period for bringing an action: five years on a written contract, four on one not founded on a written instrument including store accounts, and two for an action founded on negligence.

Also called temporary detention, pat down, frisk

An officer's temporarily detaining a person in circumstances reasonably indicating a crime, to learn the person's identity and the circumstances, for no longer than reasonably necessary and not beyond the place where it began.

Also called notice to pay or quit, eviction notice, 3 day notice

The written demand for the rent or possession. If rent stays unpaid for 3 days after it is delivered, excluding Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement.

Also called custody, visitation, parenting plan

The schedule of a child's time with each parent. There is a rebuttable presumption that equal time sharing is in the child's best interests, and parental responsibility is shared unless that would be detrimental to the child.

Also called 24 hour notice, sheriff's notice

The writ the clerk issues to the sheriff after a judgment for the landlord, putting the landlord in possession after 24 hours' notice posted on the premises.