Florida criminal charge
Employing persons under the age of 21 years in adult entertainment establishments prohibited in Florida
Employing persons under the age of 21 years in adult entertainment establishments prohibited is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 787.30. 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. § 787.30.
What is the penalty for employing persons under the age of 21 years in adult entertainment establishments prohibited in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Employing person under 21 to perform or work (not nude) — An owner, manager, employee, or contractor knowingly employs, contracts with, or permits a person younger than 21 to perform or work in an adult entertainment establishment, other than while nude.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Employing person under 21 to perform or work (not nude) — An owner, manager, employee, or contractor knowingly employs, contracts with, or permits a person younger than 21 to perform or work in an adult entertainment establishment, other than while nude.; 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 (Employing person under 21 to perform or work while nude — An owner, manager, employee, or contractor knowingly employs, contracts with, or permits a person younger than 21 to perform or work while nude in an adult entertainment establishment.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Employing person under 21 to perform or work while nude — An owner, manager, employee, or contractor knowingly employs, contracts with, or permits a person younger than 21 to perform or work while nude in an adult entertainment establishment.; 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 employing persons under the age of 21 years in adult entertainment establishments prohibited classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employing person under 21 to perform or work (not nude) | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | An owner, manager, employee, or contractor knowingly employs, contracts with, or permits a person younger than 21 to perform or work in an adult entertainment establishment, other than while nude. | Fla. Stat. § 787.30(2)(a) |
| Employing person under 21 to perform or work while nude | Felony of the Second Degree | An owner, manager, employee, or contractor knowingly employs, contracts with, or permits a person younger than 21 to perform or work while nude in an adult entertainment establishment. | Fla. Stat. § 787.30(2)(b) |
Common questions about employing persons under the age of 21 years in adult entertainment establishments prohibited in Florida
Is employing persons under the age of 21 years in adult entertainment establishments prohibited a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: employing persons under the age of 21 years in adult entertainment establishments prohibited ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 787.30.
Employing person under 21 to perform or work (not nude): Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 787.30(2)(a)) · Employing person under 21 to perform or work while nude: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 787.30(2)(b))
What are the penalties for employing persons under the age of 21 years in adult entertainment establishments prohibited in Florida?
Penalties for employing persons under the age of 21 years in adult entertainment establishments prohibited in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree up to a Felony of the Second 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 employing persons under the age of 21 years in adult entertainment establishments prohibited?
Employing persons under the age of 21 years in adult entertainment establishments prohibited is governed by Fla. Stat. § 787.30 (Employing persons under the age of 21 years in adult entertainment establishments prohibited).
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.