Florida criminal charge
Disturbing schools and religious and other assemblies in Florida
Disturbing schools and religious and other assemblies is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 871.01. 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. § 871.01.
What is the penalty for disturbing schools and religious and other assemblies in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Disturbing schools or assemblies — Whoever willfully and maliciously interrupts or disturbs any school or any assembly of people met for worship, for acknowledging a death, or for any other lawful purpose.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Disturbing schools or assemblies — Whoever willfully and maliciously interrupts or disturbs any school or any assembly of people met for worship, for acknowledging a death, or for any other lawful purpose.; 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 (Disturbing schools or assemblies with a credible threat — A violation of paragraph (a) is committed and in doing so the person makes a credible threat as defined in s. 784.048(1).) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Disturbing schools or assemblies with a credible threat — A violation of paragraph (a) is committed and in doing so the person makes a credible threat as defined in s. 784.048(1).; 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 1 year (Disturbing a military funeral honors detail — Whoever willfully interrupts or disturbs an assembly of people met to acknowledge a death with a military funeral honors detail pursuant to 10 U.S.C. s. 1491.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Disturbing a military funeral honors detail — Whoever willfully interrupts or disturbs an assembly of people met to acknowledge a death with a military funeral honors detail pursuant to 10 U.S.C. s. 1491.; 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 disturbing schools and religious and other assemblies classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disturbing schools or assemblies | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | Whoever willfully and maliciously interrupts or disturbs any school or any assembly of people met for worship, for acknowledging a death, or for any other lawful purpose. | Fla. Stat. § 871.01(1)(a) |
| Disturbing schools or assemblies with a credible threat | Felony of the Third Degree | A violation of paragraph (a) is committed and in doing so the person makes a credible threat as defined in s. 784.048(1). | Fla. Stat. § 871.01(1)(b) |
| Disturbing a military funeral honors detail | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | Whoever willfully interrupts or disturbs an assembly of people met to acknowledge a death with a military funeral honors detail pursuant to 10 U.S.C. s. 1491. | Fla. Stat. § 871.01(2) |
Common questions about disturbing schools and religious and other assemblies in Florida
Is disturbing schools and religious and other assemblies a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: disturbing schools and religious and other assemblies ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 871.01.
Disturbing schools or assemblies: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 871.01(1)(a)) · Disturbing schools or assemblies with a credible threat: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 871.01(1)(b)) · Disturbing a military funeral honors detail: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 871.01(2))
What are the penalties for disturbing schools and religious and other assemblies in Florida?
Penalties for disturbing schools and religious and other assemblies in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree up to a Felony of the Third 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 disturbing schools and religious and other assemblies?
Disturbing schools and religious and other assemblies is governed by Fla. Stat. § 871.01 (Disturbing schools and religious and other assemblies).
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.