Thursday, October 7, 1999
State of Florida v. Matthew Stepansky

No. 93,106

Place of Origin: Port Canaveral
Brevard County


Facts
Stepansky, a U.S. citizen, was charged with burglary and attempted sexual battery aboard a Liberian-registered cruise ship while about 100 nautical miles off the Atlantic Coast of Florida. The ship embarked from and was returning to Port Canaveral. Stepansky moved to dismiss the charges on grounds Florida lacked jurisdiction. The trial judge denied the motion, but on appeal the Fifth District Court held that Florida did indeed lack jurisdiction. It cited Article I, section 10 of the U.S. Constitution, which provides that federal judicial power extends to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction.