As of January 1, 2003, under the Florida Career Offender Registration Act, a select group of
convicted felons, the "worst-of-the-worst", are required to register their residences with law
enforcement and a state registry maintained by FDLE , the Career Offender Application for Statewide
Tracking (COAST). These offenders, by virtue of their histories of offenses, present a threat to
the public and to communities. This registration law will assist law enforcement agencies in timely
apprehending a career offender, if a career offender engages again in criminal conduct.
Registration is not a punishment, but merely a status. Failure of a Career Offender to register
their residence is a third degree felony. Career Offenders are individuals who have been designated
by a court as a habitual violent felony offender, a violent career criminal, or a three-time violent
felony offender under s. 775.084 or as a prison releasee reoffender under s. 775.082(9) AND who are
serving or have been released from sanction in the State of Florida on or after July 1, 2002.
The public may call the FDLE Career Offender Unit direct at 1-(850) 410-8780 to inquire about Career Offender registration
laws or registrants in their area. Registration information is public record and may be released to the
public. Law enforcement agencies may inform the community and the public of the presence of a career
offender in the community. Upon notification of the presence of a career offender, the sheriff of the
county or the chief of police of the municipality where the career offender establishes or maintains a
permanent or temporary residence may notify the community and the public of the presence of the career
offender in a manner deemed appropriate by the sheriff or the chief of police.
The sheriff or the police chief may coordinate the community and public notification efforts with FDLE.
Statewide notification to the public is authorized, as deemed appropriate by local law enforcement personnel
and FDLE.
IMMUNITY.--FDLE, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), the Department of Corrections
(FDC), any law enforcement agency in this state, and the personnel of those departments; an elected or appointed
official, public employee, or school administrator; or an employee, agency, or any individual or entity acting
at the request or upon the direction of any law enforcement agency is immune from civil liability for damages
for good faith compliance with the requirements of the Florida Career Offender Registration Act or for the
release of information under the act and shall be presumed to have acted in good faith in compiling, recording,
reporting, or releasing the information. The presumption of good faith is not overcome if a technical or clerical
error is made by FDLE, DHSMV, FDC, the personnel of those departments, or any individual or entity acting at the
request or upon the direction of any of those departments in compiling or providing information, or if information
is incomplete or incorrect because a career offender fails to report or falsely reports his or her current place
of permanent or temporary residence.
reference: Florida Statutes sections: 775.26. 775.261, 944.608, 944.609.
|