Florida criminal charge
Harmful communication to a minor in Florida
Harmful communication to a minor is a Felony of the Third Degree under Florida criminal law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 847.01385. As a Felony of the Third Degree, it is punishable within the statutory sentencing range Florida sets for that offense class. Florida sorts criminal offenses into felonies, misdemeanors, and petty offenses, each carrying its own penalty range.
Defined by Fla. Stat. § 847.01385.
What is the penalty for harmful communication to a minor in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (no statutory minimum) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (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).
Common questions about harmful communication to a minor in Florida
Is harmful communication to a minor a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
What are the penalties for harmful communication to a minor in Florida?
As a Felony of the Third Degree, harmful communication to a minor carries up to 5 years (statutory maximum; the Criminal Punishment Code scoresheet (s. 921.0024) sets the lowest permissible sentence) of incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000 (statutory ceiling under s. 775.083; the alternatives in s. 775.083(1)(f)-(g) may exceed it) under Fla. Stat. § 775.082 (current (2025 Florida Statutes)).
Which Florida statute covers harmful communication to a minor?
Harmful communication to a minor is governed by Fla. Stat. § 847.01385 (Harmful communication to a minor).
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.