(1) In lieu of a fine otherwise authorized by law, any person convicted of engaging in conduct in violation of this chapter, through which she or he derived pecuniary value, or by which she or he caused property damage or other loss, may be sentenced to pay a fine that does not exceed three times the gross value gained or three times the gross loss caused, whichever is the greater, plus court costs and the costs of investigation and prosecution, reasonably incurred.
(2) The court shall hold a hearing to determine the amount of the fine authorized by subsection (1).
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), “pecuniary value” means:
(a) Anything of value in the form of money, a negotiable instrument, or a commercial interest or anything else the primary significance of which is economic advantage; or
(b) Any other property or service that has a value in excess of $100.
History.—s. 15, ch. 89-269; s. 1587, ch. 97-102.