Q: How do I interpret a specific statue? What type of attorney would I need to file against a county department?
815.062 Offenses against governmental entities.—
A: You cite Fla. Statute Sec. 815.062, a statute that's pretty clear on its face and criminalizes certain acts committed against governmental entities. It's unclear why you mention that statute in conjunction with suing a county entity, as that statute is only about charging someone with a crime. Regarding how to interpret a statute, if a statute is clear on its face, including any terms that are defined in a definitions section, you simply use common sense. If a statute is ambiguous or it's applicability to certain situations is unclear, there are court-made methods of interpretation that you'd need to consult a lawyer about. Regarding the type of lawyer needed to sue a county, that would depend on the particular type of claim. Examples: If you trip and fall on a cracked county sidewalk, you need a personal injury attorney. If a county violates your constitutional rights or discriminates against you, you need a civil rights attorney. If a county breaches a contract with you, you need a commercial litigation or general practice attorney. For a zoning issue, you need a land use & zoning attorney. For code enforcement issues, an attorney handling local government or administrative law or perhaps general practice.
Terrence H Thorgaard agrees with this answer
1 user found this answer helpful
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
