Florida criminal charge
Abuse, aggravated abuse, and neglect of a child; penalties in Florida
Abuse, aggravated abuse, and neglect of a child; penalties is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 827.03. Its classification is not fixed: Florida assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Fla. Stat. § 827.03.
What is the penalty for abuse, aggravated abuse, and neglect of a child; penalties in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Aggravated child abuse — A person who commits aggravated child abuse commits a felony of the first degree.; when specifically provided by statute, a term of years not exceeding life imprisonment (s. 775.082(3)(b)1.)) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Aggravated child abuse — A person who commits aggravated child abuse commits a felony of the first degree.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Jail / prison | up to 15 years (Neglect of a child causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement — A person who willfully or by culpable negligence neglects a child and thereby causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement commits a felony of the second degree.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Neglect of a child causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement — A person who willfully or by culpable negligence neglects a child and thereby causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement commits a felony of the second degree.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Child abuse without great bodily harm — A person who knowingly or willfully abuses a child without causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement commits a felony of the third degree.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Child abuse without great bodily harm — A person who knowingly or willfully abuses a child without causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement commits a felony of the third degree.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Neglect of a child without great bodily harm — A person who willfully or by culpable negligence neglects a child without causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement commits a felony of the third degree.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Neglect of a child without great bodily harm — A person who willfully or by culpable negligence neglects a child without causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement commits a felony of the third degree.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
Applies to current (2025 Florida Statutes).
How is abuse, aggravated abuse, and neglect of a child; penalties classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggravated child abuse | Felony of the First Degree | A person who commits aggravated child abuse commits a felony of the first degree. | Fla. Stat. § 827.03(2)(a) |
| Neglect of a child causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement | Felony of the Second Degree | A person who willfully or by culpable negligence neglects a child and thereby causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement commits a felony of the second degree. | Fla. Stat. § 827.03(2)(b) |
| Child abuse without great bodily harm | Felony of the Third Degree | A person who knowingly or willfully abuses a child without causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement commits a felony of the third degree. | Fla. Stat. § 827.03(2)(c) |
| Neglect of a child without great bodily harm | Felony of the Third Degree | A person who willfully or by culpable negligence neglects a child without causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement commits a felony of the third degree. | Fla. Stat. § 827.03(2)(d) |
Common questions about abuse, aggravated abuse, and neglect of a child; penalties in Florida
Is abuse, aggravated abuse, and neglect of a child; penalties a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: abuse, aggravated abuse, and neglect of a child; penalties ranges from a Felony of the Third Degree to a Felony of the First Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 827.03.
Aggravated child abuse: Felony of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 827.03(2)(a)) · Neglect of a child causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 827.03(2)(b)) · Child abuse without great bodily harm: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 827.03(2)(c)) · Neglect of a child without great bodily harm: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 827.03(2)(d))
What are the penalties for abuse, aggravated abuse, and neglect of a child; penalties in Florida?
Penalties for abuse, aggravated abuse, and neglect of a child; penalties in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Felony of the Third Degree up to a Felony of the First Degree — with the ranges set by Fla. Stat. § 775.082; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Florida statute covers abuse, aggravated abuse, and neglect of a child; penalties?
Abuse, aggravated abuse, and neglect of a child; penalties is governed by Fla. Stat. § 827.03 (Abuse, aggravated abuse, and neglect of a child; penalties).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.