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Florida Statute 316.1939 - Full Text and Legal Analysis
Florida Statute 316.1939 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
Link to State of Florida Official Statute
F.S. 316.1939 Case Law from Google Scholar Google Search for Amendments to 316.1939

The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL
View Entire Chapter
316.1939 Refusal to submit to testing; penalties.
(1) A person who has refused to submit to a chemical or physical test of his or her breath or urine, as described in s. 316.1932, and:
(a) Who the arresting law enforcement officer had probable cause to believe was driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle in this state while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances, or controlled substances;
(b) Who was placed under lawful arrest for a violation of s. 316.193 unless such test was requested pursuant to s. 316.1932(1)(c);
(c) Who was informed that, if he or she refused to submit to such test, his or her privilege to operate a motor vehicle would be suspended for a period of 1 year or, in the case of a second or subsequent refusal, for a period of 18 months;
(d) Who was informed that a refusal to submit to a lawful test of his or her breath or urine is a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, or if his or her driving privilege has been previously suspended or if he or she has previously been fined under s. 327.35215 for a prior refusal to submit to a lawful test of his or her breath, urine, or blood as required under this chapter or chapter 327, that a refusal to submit to a lawful test of his or her breath or urine is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, in addition to any other penalties provided by law; and
(e) Who, after having been so informed, refused to submit to any such test when requested to do so by a law enforcement officer or correctional officer

commits a misdemeanor of the second degree for a first refusal or a misdemeanor of the first degree for a second or subsequent refusal, and is subject to punishment as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(2) The disposition of any administrative proceeding that relates to the suspension of a person’s driving privilege does not affect a criminal action under this section.
(3) The disposition of a criminal action under this section does not affect any administrative proceeding that relates to the suspension of a person’s driving privilege. The department’s records showing that a person’s license has been previously suspended for a prior refusal to submit to a lawful test of his or her breath, urine, or blood shall be admissible and shall create a rebuttable presumption of such suspension.
History.s. 5, ch. 2002-263; s. 2, ch. 2021-184; s. 4, ch. 2025-121.

F.S. 316.1939 on Google Scholar

F.S. 316.1939 on CourtListener

Amendments to 316.1939


Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Civil Citations / Citable Offenses under S316.1939
R or S next to points is Mandatory Revocation or Suspension

S316.1939 REFUSE TO SUBMIT TO BAL TEST - Points on Drivers License: 0
S316.1939 (1) Refuse to Submit to BAL test - Points on Drivers License: 0
S316.1939 (1)(e) Refuse to Submit to BAL test - Points on Drivers License: 0
Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 316.1939
Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

S316.1939 - DUI-UNLAW BLD ALCH - REMOVED - M: F
S316.1939 1 - DUI-UNLAW BLD ALCH - RENUMBERED. SEE REC # 10752 - M: F
S316.1939 1d - DUI-UNLAW BLD ALCH - REFUSAL SUBMIT DUI TESTING - M: S
S316.1939 1e - DUI-UNLAW BLD ALCH - REFUSAL SUBMIT DUI TESTING SUBSQ OFF - M: F

Cases Citing Statute 316.1939

Total Results: 12  |  Sort by: Relevance  |  Newest First

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In Re Stand. Jury Inst. in Crim. Cases-Report 2007-01, 965 So. 2d 811 (Fla. 2007).

Cited 6 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 32 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 530, 2007 Fla. LEXIS 1535, 2007 WL 2438370

...See Florida Statute § 843.01 for a list of law enforcement officers. Attempt is not a lesser included offense. See Silvestri v. State, 332 So.2d 351, 354 (Fla. 4th DCA 1976). This instruction was adopted in 2007. 28.13 REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TESTING § 316.1939 Fla....
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State v. Busciglio, 976 So. 2d 15 (Fla. 2d DCA 2008).

Cited 4 times | Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 2008 WL 183648

...The breath test request was made after Busciglio's lawful arrest for felony driving under the influence (DUI). Because his driving privileges had been previously suspended for a prior refusal to submit to a breath test, Busciglio's current refusal constituted a first-degree misdemeanor pursuant to section 316.1939, Florida Statutes (2005)....
...influence of alcoholic beverages. After being transported to the police station, it is uncontested that Officer Portman *18 read Busciglio the "Florida Implied Consent Law" from a form provided at Central Breath Testing; this warning is required by section 316.1939(1)....
...Our reversal is not based upon any erroneous factual findings made by the trial court—its factual findings are not in dispute—but upon the trial court's misapplication of controlling legal principles to those facts. The parties on appeal agree there is no question that prior to the enactment of section 316.1939 on July 1, 2002, a person did not have a right to counsel prior to submitting to a breath test....
...ponse. He further concludes that a "no" response is "clearly incriminatory" because the State intends to use such a response "to show consciousness of guilt" and "as an element of the crime of refusing [to take the breath test] pursuant to [section] 316.1939." We will now address why this logic fails....
...t of the performance of his duty and not part of any "interrogation." [6] From Busciglio's point of view, which is the more relevant inquiry, he may have felt compelled to choose the lesser of two evils: i.e., he could refuse and potentially violate section 316.1939 or he could take the test and potentially provide incriminating evidence to be used against him in a DUI trial....
...[3] To be guilty of violating section 316.1932, the defendant must have been "informed that, if he or she refused to submit to such test, his or her privilege to operate a motor vehicle would be suspended for a period of 1 year or, in the case of a second or subsequent refusal, for a period of 18 months." § 316.1939(1)(c)....
...The defendant must also have been "informed that a refusal to submit to a lawful test of his or her breath, . . . if his or her driving privilege has been previously suspended for a prior refusal to submit to a lawful test . . . [constitutes] a misdemeanor." § 316.1939(1)(d)....
...2d DCA 2007) (holding that "any time" is insufficient to warn accused of right to counsel "during" questioning). The trial court agreed and suppressed other statements in relation to the DUI charge, but that ruling is not the subject of this appeal. [5] We note that Busciglio could not have committed a misdemeanor under section 316.1939 by the mere act of refusing the test....
...influence, (3) lawful arrest for DUI, and (4) a properly administered warning that his driving privilege would be suspended and that he would be guilty of a misdemeanor if his driving privilege had been suspended previously for a prior refusal. See § 316.1939(1)....
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In re Stand. Jury Instructions in Crim. Cases-Rreport No. 2012-08, 131 So. 3d 692 (Fla. 2013).

Cited 2 times | Published | Supreme Court of Florida | 2013 WL 6124277

...ER — § 322,34(5) CATEGORY ONE CATEGORY TWO FLA. STAT. INS. NO, No Valid Driver’s 322.03 28.9 License Attempt_777.04(1)51 *702 Comment This instruction was adopted in 2007 [ 958 So.2d 361 ] and amended in 2013. 28.13 REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TESTING § 316.1939 Fla....
...the capability to operate the motor vehicle, regardless of whether [he][she] is actually operating the vehicle at the time. Lesser Included Offenses No-lesser included offenses--have been identified for this offense. REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TESTING — 316.1939 CATEGORY ONE CATEGORY TWO FLA....
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Williams v. State, 167 So. 3d 483 (Fla. 5th DCA 2015).

Cited 2 times | Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal | 2015 Fla. App. LEXIS 8566, 2015 WL 3511222

...Less than twenty minutes later, the arresting officer asked Williams to submit to a breath test to determine his blood-alcohol content; he refused. The officer did not have a warrant. Williams was then issued five uniform traffic citations, including a citation for Refusal to Submit in violation of section 316.1939, Florida Statutes....
...having been so informed, refused to submit to any such test when requested to do so by a law enforcement officer or correctional officer commits a misdemeanor of the first degree and is subject to punishment as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. § 316.1939, Fla....
...e inspectors obtain a warrant to search and that [the defendant] may not constitutionally be convicted for refusing to consent to the inspection.” Id. at 540 , 87 S.Ct. 1727 . Camara is distinguishable in some important respects. Most importantly, section 316.1939, Florida Statutes, criminalizes the refusal to submit to a breath test only if the officer had probable cause to believe the driver was under the influence. See § 316.1939(l)(a), Fla....
...t statute, like the one here, has struck it down as unconstitutional. See Hawaii v. Yong Shik Won, 134 Hawai’i 59, 332 P.3d 661 (App.2014); Bernard, 859 N.W.2d 762 ; North Dakota v. Birchfield, 858 N.W.2d 302 (N.D.2015). Likewise, we conclude that section 316.1939, Florida Statutes, as applied to Williams, is constitutional....
...ality of the circumstances, a warrantless breath-alcohol test would have been reasonable. Accordingly, no constitutional bar prohibits the State from criminally punishing Williams for refusing the test. AFFIRMED. SAWAYA and ORFINGER, JJ„ concur. . § 316.1939, Fla....
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Elliott David Daniels v. State of Florida (Fla. 2d DCA 2022).

Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

...or Appellee. PER CURIAM. Elliott David Daniels appeals a final judgment and sentences for a misdemeanor count of DUI pursuant to section 316.193, Florida Statutes (2019), and a misdemeanor count of refusal to submit to testing pursuant to section 316.1939(1)....
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Lawrence v. Dep't of High. Saf. & Motor Vehs., 93 So. 3d 350 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012).

Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 2012 WL 1870868, 2012 Fla. App. LEXIS 8111

...We express no opinion on that subject and do not have a sufficient record to analyze the issue. Petition for writ of certiorari to the circuit court granted for proceedings in accordance with this opinion. WHATLEY and VILLANTI, JJ., Concur. . § 316.193(1), Fla. Stat. (2008). . § 316.1939, Fla....
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Folden v. State, 16 So. 3d 849 (Fla. 5th DCA 2009).

Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal | 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 6975, 2009 WL 1423415

...ORFINGER, J. John E. Folden appeals his conviction of refusing to submit to a breath test. [1] Folden contends that the State failed to prove that his driving privilege had previously been suspended for refusing to submit to a breath test as required by section 316.1939, Florida Statutes (2008)....
...The State properly concedes error and we reverse. Refusal to submit to a breath test is a misdemeanor if the defendant's driving privilege had previously been suspended for refusing to submit to a lawful test of the defendant's breath, urine or blood. See § 316.1939, Fla....
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In Re: Stand. Jury Instructions in Crim. Cases-Report 2018-09., 262 So. 3d 59 (Fla. 2019).

Published | Supreme Court of Florida

...2016) but may still be good law). This instruction was adopted in 2008 [976 So. 2d 1081] and amended in 2011 [73 So. 3d 136], 2015 [166 So. 3d 161], 2016 [192 So. 3d 1190], and 2018 [236 So. 3d 244], and 2019. 28.13 REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TESTING § 316.1939, Fla....
...on the motor vehicle and have the capability to operate the motor vehicle, regardless of whether [he] [she] is actually operating the vehicle at the time. Lesser Included Offenses REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TESTING — 316.1939 CATEGORY ONE CATEGORY TWO FLA....
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Allen v. State, 125 So. 3d 191 (Fla. 4th DCA 2013).

Published | Florida 4th District Court of Appeal | 2013 WL 238204, 2013 Fla. App. LEXIS 918

...on the outcome of the proceeding. The trial court did not attach to the order any portions of a trial transcript showing the testimony of the state’s witnesses against Defendant. One of the elements the state must prove to establish a violation of section 316.1939, Florida Statutes (2008), refusal to submit to testing, is the following: 6....
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State v. Hamilton, 210 So. 3d 776 (Fla. 2d DCA 2017).

Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 2017 WL 685610, 2017 Fla. App. LEXIS 2315

...Hamilton with DUI (two prior convictions), see § 316.193(1)(a), (2)(b)(2), Fla. Stat. (2011), but a county court jury found Mr. Hamilton not guilty. The following day, the State charged Mr. Hamilton with refusing to submit to a breath test. See § 316.1939(1)....
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William Williams v. State, 210 So. 3d 774 (Fla. 5th DCA 2017).

Published | Florida 5th District Court of Appeal | 2017 WL 651834, 2017 Fla. App. LEXIS 2164

...uence, and was subsequently asked to undergo a breath-alcohol test to determine his blood-alcohol content, which he refused to do. Williams was then issued five uniform traffic citations, including a citation for refusal to submit in violation of section 316.1939, Florida Statutes (2013)....
...That section provides that any person who has previously had his or her license suspended for refusing to submit to a lawful breath, urine, or blood test, and who refuses to submit a second time when there is probable cause to suspect the driver is under the influence, is guilty of a misdemeanor. § 316.1939, Fla....
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Arenas v. Dep't of High. Saf. & Motor Vehs., 90 So. 3d 828 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012).

Published | Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal | 2012 Fla. App. LEXIS 6554, 2012 WL 1448572

...In the encounter, Mr. Arenas refused to engage in a field sobriety test or a breath test. The deputy arrested him for DUI and issued two misdemeanor traffic citations, one for the DUI violation of section 316.193, Florida Statutes (2010), and one for violating section 316.1939 for refusing the breath alcohol level test....

This Florida statute resource is curated by Graham W. Syfert, Esq., a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney. Attorney Syfert regularly works with Chapter 316 in the context of traffic and automobile accident law and represents clients throughout Northeast Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.