Statute of Limitations for False Arrest / False Imprisonment in Florida

5 min read

Published April 8, 2026 • By DocketMath Team

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently — verify all citations with current official sources.

Overview

In Florida, the statute of limitations (SOL) for claims that are commonly described as false arrest or false imprisonment is generally a 4-year period under Florida Statutes § 775.15(2)(d).

Florida typically treats this timing as a general/default SOL rule—rather than having a separate, claim-label-specific deadline for each shorthand (“false arrest” vs. “false imprisonment”). In other words, when there is no special statute that changes the deadline for the specific cause of action pleaded, you generally start with the 4-year general period.

For DocketMath users, this is exactly the type of scenario handled by the statute-of-limitations calculator: you enter key dates (such as the incident/accrual trigger), and the tool computes a deadline based on the applicable SOL rule.

Note: “False arrest” and “false imprisonment” are common descriptions, but courts and pleadings often focus on the actual legal theory and underlying facts. The SOL you apply can depend on the cause of action and the way the claim is framed, not just the label.

Limitation period

Florida’s general SOL period for the relevant category is 4 years under Florida Statutes § 775.15(2)(d).

What that means in practice

A 4-year SOL usually means you must file your lawsuit within 48 months from when your claim accrues (i.e., when you have a complete, legally actionable basis to sue).

Many people think of this as producing a “last day to file” date. DocketMath helps you convert the statute rule into a concrete deadline by letting you choose the start date that best matches when your claim accrued under your facts.

How the deadline changes with different input dates

The deadline can shift significantly depending on which date you use to start the clock:

Earlier accrual/starting date → earlier computed deadline
Later accrual/starting date → later computed deadline (by the difference between dates)

That’s why choosing the right start date matters. The calculator output is only as accurate as the assumptions you enter about accrual.

Checklist: dates to gather before calculating

Before running the calculator, gather the dates that are most likely to affect accrual and timeline modeling:

Key exceptions

The default framework is 4 years under § 775.15(2)(d), and the brief you provided indicates no claim-type-specific sub-rule was identified. So, you should treat 4 years as the starting point unless something else applies.

Even so, exceptions and adjustments can still matter:

1) The “general/default” rule can be displaced

Start with the general rule, but check whether a different statute or special timing scheme applies. For example:

A different statute expressly governs the cause of action as pleaded
A statutory framework for a specific kind of defendant (e.g., a specialized governmental scheme) changes the timing rules
A federal claim overlays the state-law theory, which can introduce a different limitations rule

2) Tolling (pauses) or suspension of time

Florida recognizes that, in some situations, SOL time can be paused (tolling) or otherwise affected.

Practical takeaway for calculator users:

If tolling facts exist, a straight “4 years from one date” deadline may not be the true effective deadline.
In that scenario, you generally need an analysis that accounts for tolling or an adjusted “effective start”/deadline method consistent with the applicable doctrine.

Because tolling is highly fact-specific, treat the calculator as a first-pass modeling tool unless you have a clear basis for the timing adjustment you’re entering.

3) Accrual date disputes (when does the clock start?)

A frequent issue isn’t the statute—it’s when the claim accrued. Some people assume accrual always equals the arrest/detention date; others argue accrual should be tied to a later event (such as release or when the claim becomes complete).

Pitfall: choosing the wrong accrual/start date can move the deadline by months or years. If accrual is uncertain or disputed, base your start date on the earliest date you can reasonably support as the point at which your claim was actionable under your specific theory.

Statute citation

Florida Statutes § 775.15(2)(d) — 4 years (general/default SOL for the category identified in this brief)

Source: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2004/775.15?utm_source=openai

Quick reference for your workflow:

Item	Value
Jurisdiction	Florida
General SOL period	4 years
Statute	Fla. Stat. § 775.15(2)(d)
Rule type (per brief)	General/default period (no claim-type-specific sub-rule identified)

Use the calculator

Use DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations tool to translate the 4-year rule from Fla. Stat. § 775.15(2)(d) into a usable deadline date.

Primary CTA: /tools/statute-of-limitations

What inputs typically matter

Depending on how the tool prompts you, you’ll generally select or enter:

The start date for the SOL clock (often your incident date or, more accurately, your accrual date)
The jurisdiction/period as the general/default 4-year rule
Any date adjustments you’re modeling (e.g., choosing a later accrual date if that’s supported by your theory)

How to interpret the output

When DocketMath calculates a deadline, the output is typically best understood as:

A computed “last day to file” based on your selected start date and the 4-year period

If your situation involves tolling or a nonstandard accrual trigger, you may need to adjust your inputs/assumptions or re-check the modeling approach so it matches your facts.

Gentle disclaimer

This page is for deadline modeling and general information, not legal advice. Accrual timing, tolling, and whether a special statute applies can be fact-dependent. If you’re making filing decisions, consider getting legal guidance in addition to using a tool.