False Personation of Officer or Protected Official
Falsely assuming or pretending to be a listed officer or official and acting as that person or requiring another person to assist.
Florida Statute
§ 843.08
False personation
Verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: September 13, 2026
Quick Summary
The classification increases when the false personation occurs during a felony or causes injury or death.
Classification Matrix
Use this as a quick classification reference. Specific facts, statutory circumstances, and charging allegations may affect the applicable result.
False Personation
F.S. § 843.08
False personation of a listed officer or official with statutory acting or assistance conduct.
False Personation During Felony
F.S. § 843.08
False personation occurring during the commission of a felony.
False Personation Causing Injury or Death
F.S. § 843.08
False personation during a felony resulting in death or personal injury to another person.
Elements of the Offense
Elements of the Offense
Elements marked AND are cumulative. Elements marked OR identify statutory alternatives; one applicable alternative must be established when that theory is charged. Conditional elements apply only to the identified statutory track.
- Element 1AND — Required
Required Facts
The defendant falsely assumed or pretended to be an officer or official listed in section 843.08.
Plain language: Identify the specific officer or official role falsely claimed.
- Element 2AND — Required
Required Facts
The defendant acted as that person or required another person to aid or assist in a matter pertaining to that person's duty.
Plain language: The false identity alone is not the full statutory conduct.
Jury Instructions
Jury Instructions
Instruction 21.16
Falsely Personating an Officer
Florida Standard Jury Instruction for F.S. § 843.08, including applicable felony and injury-or-death findings.
View Official InstructionVerified against the official instruction source: September 13, 2026
Additional Notes
Additional Notes
Quick Reference
The matrix separates baseline false personation from conduct during another felony and conduct resulting in injury or death.