Florida § 810.015 - Legislative findings and intent; burglary.

§ 810.015. Legislative findings and intent; burglary.

(1) The Legislature finds that the case of Delgado v. State , 776 So. 2d 233 (Fla. 2000), was decided contrary to legislative intent and the case law of this state relating to burglary prior to Delgado v. State . The Legislature finds that in order for a burglary to occur, it is not necessary for the licensed or invited person to remain in the dwelling, structure, or conveyance surreptitiously. (2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the holding in Delgado v. State , 776 So. 2d 233 (Fla. 2000) be nullified. It is further the intent of the Legislature that s. 810.02(1)(a) be construed in conformity with Raleigh v. State , 705 So. 2d 1324 (Fla. 1997); Jimenez v. State , 703 So. 2d 437 (Fla. 1997); Robertson v. State , 699 So. 2d 1343 (Fla. 1997); Routly v. State , 440 So. 2d 1257 (Fla. 1983); and Ray v. State , 522 So. 2d 963 (Fla. 3rd DCA, 1988). This subsection shall operate retroactively to February 1, 2000. (3) It is further the intent of the Legislature that consent remain an affirmative defense to burglary and that the lack of consent may be proven by circumstantial evidence. (4) The Legislature finds that the cases of Floyd v. State , 850 So. 2d 383 (Fla. 2002); Fitzpatrick v. State , 859 So. 2d 486 (Fla. 2003); and State v. Ruiz / State v. Braggs , Slip Opinion Nos. SC02-389/SC02-524 were decided contrary to the Legislative intent expressed in this section. The Legislature finds that these cases were decided in such a manner as to give subsection (1) no effect. The February 1, 2000, date reflected in subsection (2) does not refer to an arbitrary date relating to the date offenses were committed, but to a date before which the law relating to burglary was untainted by Delgado v. State , 776 So. 2d 233 (Fla. 2000). (5) The Legislature provides the following special rules of construction to apply to this section: (a) All subsections in this section shall be construed to give effect to subsection (1); (b) Notwithstanding s. 775.021(1), this section shall be construed to give the interpretation of the burglary statute announced in Delgado v. State , 776 So. 2d 233 (Fla. 2000), and its progeny, no effect; and (c) If language in this section is susceptible to differing constructions, it shall be construed in such manner as to approximate the law relating to burglary as if Delgado v. State , 776 So. 2d 233 (Fla. 2000) was never issued. (6) This section shall apply retroactively.