Florida criminal charge
Offenses against students by authority figures in Florida
Offenses against students by authority figures is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 800.101. 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. § 800.101.
What is the penalty for offenses against students by authority figures in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 15 years (Authority figure offense against student — An authority figure solicits or engages in sexual conduct, a romantic relationship, or lewd conduct with a student in violation of subsection (2).) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Authority figure offense against student — An authority figure solicits or engages in sexual conduct, a romantic relationship, or lewd conduct with a student in violation of 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Failure to report violation — A person required to report a violation of subsection (2) knowingly or willfully fails to do so, or knowingly or willfully prevents another from doing so.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Failure to report violation — A person required to report a violation of subsection (2) knowingly or willfully fails to do so, or knowingly or willfully prevents another from doing so.; 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 (False reporting of violation — A person knowingly or willfully submits false, inaccurate, or incomplete information while reporting a violation of subsection (2).; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (False reporting of violation — A person knowingly or willfully submits false, inaccurate, or incomplete information while reporting a violation of 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Coercion or threats regarding reporting — A person knowingly or willfully coerces or threatens another person with intent to alter testimony or a written report regarding a violation of subsection (2).; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Coercion or threats regarding reporting — A person knowingly or willfully coerces or threatens another person with intent to alter testimony or a written report regarding a violation of 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 offenses against students by authority figures classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authority figure offense against student | Felony of the Second Degree | An authority figure solicits or engages in sexual conduct, a romantic relationship, or lewd conduct with a student in violation of subsection (2). | Fla. Stat. § 800.101(3) |
| Failure to report violation | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | A person required to report a violation of subsection (2) knowingly or willfully fails to do so, or knowingly or willfully prevents another from doing so. | Fla. Stat. § 800.101(5)(a) |
| False reporting of violation | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | A person knowingly or willfully submits false, inaccurate, or incomplete information while reporting a violation of subsection (2). | Fla. Stat. § 800.101(5)(b) |
| Coercion or threats regarding reporting | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | A person knowingly or willfully coerces or threatens another person with intent to alter testimony or a written report regarding a violation of subsection (2). | Fla. Stat. § 800.101(5)(c) |
Common questions about offenses against students by authority figures in Florida
Is offenses against students by authority figures a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: offenses against students by authority figures ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 800.101.
Authority figure offense against student: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 800.101(3)) · Failure to report violation: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 800.101(5)(a)) · False reporting of violation: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 800.101(5)(b)) · Coercion or threats regarding reporting: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 800.101(5)(c))
What are the penalties for offenses against students by authority figures in Florida?
Penalties for offenses against students by authority figures 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 offenses against students by authority figures?
Offenses against students by authority figures is governed by Fla. Stat. § 800.101 (Offenses against students by authority figures).
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.