Florida criminal charge
Interference with a sporting or entertainment event in Florida
Interference with a sporting or entertainment event is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 871.05. 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. § 871.05.
What is the penalty for interference with a sporting or entertainment event in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Touching/striking or bodily harm to covered participant, or unauthorized entry into restricted area — Applies when a person violates paragraph (2)(a) (touching/striking or causing bodily harm to a covered participant during a covered event) or paragraph (2)(b) (willfully entering or remaining in a restricted area during a covered event without authorization).; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Touching/striking or bodily harm to covered participant, or unauthorized entry into restricted area — Applies when a person violates paragraph (2)(a) (touching/striking or causing bodily harm to a covered participant during a covered event) or paragraph (2)(b) (willfully entering or remaining in a restricted area during a covered event without authorization).; 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 (Unauthorized entry into large ticketed venue — Applies when a person violates paragraph (2)(c) by willfully entering or remaining in a venue during a ticketed covered event with attendance exceeding 5,000 persons without authorization.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Unauthorized entry into large ticketed venue — Applies when a person violates paragraph (2)(c) by willfully entering or remaining in a venue during a ticketed covered event with attendance exceeding 5,000 persons without authorization.; 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 (Solicitation to commit a violation of subsection (2) — Applies when a person solicits another by offering money or any other thing of value to engage in conduct that would violate subsection (2).) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Solicitation to commit a violation of subsection (2) — Applies when a person solicits another by offering money or any other thing of value to engage in conduct that would violate subsection (2).; 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 interference with a sporting or entertainment event classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Touching/striking or bodily harm to covered participant, or unauthorized entry into restricted area | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | Applies when a person violates paragraph (2)(a) (touching/striking or causing bodily harm to a covered participant during a covered event) or paragraph (2)(b) (willfully entering or remaining in a restricted area during a covered event without authorization). | Fla. Stat. § 871.05(3)(a) |
| Unauthorized entry into large ticketed venue | Felony of the Third Degree | Applies when a person violates paragraph (2)(c) by willfully entering or remaining in a venue during a ticketed covered event with attendance exceeding 5,000 persons without authorization. | Fla. Stat. § 871.05(3)(b) |
| Solicitation to commit a violation of subsection (2) | Felony of the Third Degree | Applies when a person solicits another by offering money or any other thing of value to engage in conduct that would violate subsection (2). | Fla. Stat. § 871.05(3)(c) |
Common questions about interference with a sporting or entertainment event in Florida
Is interference with a sporting or entertainment event a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: interference with a sporting or entertainment event ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 871.05.
Touching/striking or bodily harm to covered participant, or unauthorized entry into restricted area: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 871.05(3)(a)) · Unauthorized entry into large ticketed venue: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 871.05(3)(b)) · Solicitation to commit a violation of subsection (2): Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 871.05(3)(c))
What are the penalties for interference with a sporting or entertainment event in Florida?
Penalties for interference with a sporting or entertainment event 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 interference with a sporting or entertainment event?
Interference with a sporting or entertainment event is governed by Fla. Stat. § 871.05 (Interference with a sporting or entertainment event).
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.