Criminal Anarchy

In the United States, Criminal Anarchy refers to a doctrine that proposes that organized government should be overthrown by violence or force, or by assassination of the executive head or any of the executive officials of government, or by any other unlawful means.

The advocacy of this doctrine either by writing or word of mouth in many states in the US is a felony. Around 1955, the number of states that had statutes, which barred advocacy of criminal anarchy in some form was 42 (forty-two) and Alaska and Hawaii.

The Law

Federal Law

Under federal law, criminal anarchy may result in a convicted individual losing his or her US citizenship. The penalty meted out on a convicted individual is 20 years in prison.

Florida State Law

Under Florida State Law, advocating any of the following doctrines: “criminal anarchy,” “criminal Nazism,” “criminal Communism,” or “criminal Fascism” is prohibited.

By definition, these doctrines infer that an existing form of constitutional government in the United State be overthrown by violence or force or by any other unlawful means, or by assassination of officials of the Government of the United States or of any of the several states. The law maintains that the advocacy of such doctrines by either writing or word of mouth, or the promotion of such doctrines either independently or under the guidance of, or in collaboration with officials of an international revolutionary party or group or officials of a foreign state is illegal.

Specific Prohibitions Under Florida State Anarchy Law

  1. A person may not by writing or word of mouth teach or advise the necessity, duty, or propriety:
    1. Of overturning or overthrowing the existing forms of constitutional government at any time by violence or other forms of force;
    2. Of sabotaging, hindering, or disobeying the carrying out of the orders, laws, or decrees of duly constituted civil, military, or naval authorities;

By the assassination of officials of the Government of the United States or of this state;

  1. By any other unlawful means; or
  2. In collaboration with or under the guidance of agents, representatives, or officials of a foreign state or an international revolutionary group or party
  1. A person may not edit, publish, print, issue or knowingly sell, circulate, distribute, or publicly display an document, book, paper, or printed or written matter in any form, advocating or containing, advising, or teaching the doctrine that constitutional government should be overthrown by violence, force or any unlawful means
  2. A person may not willfully, deliberately, or openly advocate, justify, or urge through writing or by word of mouth; the assaulting, assassination, or unlawful killing of any official of the Government of the United States or of this state because of his or her official character; or any other crime with intent to spread, advocate, or teach the propriety of the doctrines of criminal Fascism, criminal Nazism, criminal Communism, or criminal anarchy
  3. A person may not organize or be part of organizing or become a member of any group, assembly of persons, or society formed to advocate or teach such doctrines described above
  4. A person may not promote the interest, associate with, or become a member of an criminal Fascistic, Nazistic, Communistic, or anarchistic organization; or become a member of or help to organize or affiliate with any associated group of persons or any subsidiary organization who teaches, advises, or advocates the principles of criminal Fascism, criminal Nazism, criminal Communism, or criminal anarchy

Anyone who fails to abide by any of the five prohibitions above, can be charged and found guilty of a felony of the second degree.

Broward Criminal Lawyer

Broward criminal lawyer, Kenneth Padowitz, aggressively defends those charged with crimes, including accusations of criminal anarchy. Being found guilty of criminal anarchy brings with it harsh consequences, which include lengthy prison terms and even the loss of citizenship. Broward’s leading criminal defense law firm, Kenneth Padowitz, P.A. is here to have your back. Contact the law firm today to discuss this important matter.