Florida criminal charge
Female genital mutilation in Florida
Female genital mutilation is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 794.08. 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. § 794.08.
What is the penalty for female genital mutilation in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Female genital mutilation — A person knowingly commits, or attempts to commit, female genital mutilation upon a female person younger than 18 years of age.; 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 (Female genital mutilation — A person knowingly commits, or attempts to commit, female genital mutilation upon a female person younger than 18 years of age.; 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 (Removal from state for purposes of female genital mutilation — A person knowingly removes, or causes or permits the removal of, a female person younger than 18 years of age from Florida for purposes of committing female genital mutilation.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Removal from state for purposes of female genital mutilation — A person knowingly removes, or causes or permits the removal of, a female person younger than 18 years of age from Florida for purposes of committing female genital mutilation.; 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 (Parental/custodial consent to female genital mutilation — A parent, guardian, or person in a position of familial or custodial authority knowingly consents to or permits the female genital mutilation of a female person younger than 18 years of age.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Parental/custodial consent to female genital mutilation — A parent, guardian, or person in a position of familial or custodial authority knowingly consents to or permits the female genital mutilation of a female person younger than 18 years of age.; 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 female genital mutilation classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female genital mutilation | Felony of the First Degree | A person knowingly commits, or attempts to commit, female genital mutilation upon a female person younger than 18 years of age. | Fla. Stat. § 794.08(2) |
| Removal from state for purposes of female genital mutilation | Felony of the Second Degree | A person knowingly removes, or causes or permits the removal of, a female person younger than 18 years of age from Florida for purposes of committing female genital mutilation. | Fla. Stat. § 794.08(3) |
| Parental/custodial consent to female genital mutilation | Felony of the Third Degree | A parent, guardian, or person in a position of familial or custodial authority knowingly consents to or permits the female genital mutilation of a female person younger than 18 years of age. | Fla. Stat. § 794.08(4) |
Common questions about female genital mutilation in Florida
Is female genital mutilation a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: female genital mutilation ranges from a Felony of the Third Degree to a Felony of the First Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 794.08.
Female genital mutilation: Felony of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 794.08(2)) · Removal from state for purposes of female genital mutilation: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 794.08(3)) · Parental/custodial consent to female genital mutilation: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 794.08(4))
What are the penalties for female genital mutilation in Florida?
Penalties for female genital mutilation 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 female genital mutilation?
Female genital mutilation is governed by Fla. Stat. § 794.08 (Female genital mutilation).
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.