Florida criminal charge
Retaliating against a court official in Florida
Retaliating against a court official is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 918.125. 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. § 918.125.
What is the penalty for retaliating against a court official in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Retaliating against a court official — threat or property damage — A person with intent to retaliate against a court official for participation in an official investigation or proceeding threatens bodily injury or damages/threatens to damage tangible property.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Retaliating against a court official — threat or property damage — A person with intent to retaliate against a court official for participation in an official investigation or proceeding threatens bodily injury or damages/threatens to damage tangible property.; 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 (Retaliating against a court official — resulting in bodily injury — The conduct described in subsection (1) actually results in bodily injury.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Retaliating against a court official — resulting in bodily injury — The conduct described in subsection (1) actually results in bodily injury.; 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 retaliating against a court official classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaliating against a court official — threat or property damage | Felony of the Third Degree | A person with intent to retaliate against a court official for participation in an official investigation or proceeding threatens bodily injury or damages/threatens to damage tangible property. | Fla. Stat. § 918.125(1) |
| Retaliating against a court official — resulting in bodily injury | Felony of the Second Degree | The conduct described in subsection (1) actually results in bodily injury. | Fla. Stat. § 918.125(2) |
Common questions about retaliating against a court official in Florida
Is retaliating against a court official a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: retaliating against a court official ranges from a Felony of the Third Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 918.125.
Retaliating against a court official — threat or property damage: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 918.125(1)) · Retaliating against a court official — resulting in bodily injury: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 918.125(2))
What are the penalties for retaliating against a court official in Florida?
Penalties for retaliating against a court official in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Felony of the Third 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 retaliating against a court official?
Retaliating against a court official is governed by Fla. Stat. § 918.125 (Retaliating against a court official).
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.