Florida criminal charge
Sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties in Florida
Sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 985.701. 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. § 985.701.
What is the penalty for sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 15 years (Sexual misconduct with juvenile offender by employee — An employee who engages in sexual misconduct with a juvenile offender commits this offense.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Sexual misconduct with juvenile offender by employee — An employee who engages in sexual misconduct with a juvenile offender commits this offense.; 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 or preventing reporting of sexual misconduct — A person required to prepare a report who 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 or preventing reporting of sexual misconduct — A person required to prepare a report who 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 (Submitting inaccurate or untruthful report — A person who knowingly or willfully submits inaccurate, incomplete, or untruthful information with respect to a required report.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Submitting inaccurate or untruthful report — A person who knowingly or willfully submits inaccurate, incomplete, or untruthful information with respect to a required report.; 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 (Coercion or threats to alter testimony or report — A person who knowingly or willfully coerces or threatens another with intent to alter testimony or a written report regarding an incident of sexual misconduct.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Coercion or threats to alter testimony or report — A person who knowingly or willfully coerces or threatens another with intent to alter testimony or a written report regarding an incident of sexual misconduct.; 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 sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sexual misconduct with juvenile offender by employee | Felony of the Second Degree | An employee who engages in sexual misconduct with a juvenile offender commits this offense. | Fla. Stat. § 985.701(1)(a)2. |
| Failure to report or preventing reporting of sexual misconduct | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | A person required to prepare a report who knowingly or willfully fails to do so, or knowingly or willfully prevents another from doing so. | Fla. Stat. § 985.701(3)(a) |
| Submitting inaccurate or untruthful report | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | A person who knowingly or willfully submits inaccurate, incomplete, or untruthful information with respect to a required report. | Fla. Stat. § 985.701(3)(b) |
| Coercion or threats to alter testimony or report | Felony of the Third Degree | A person who knowingly or willfully coerces or threatens another with intent to alter testimony or a written report regarding an incident of sexual misconduct. | Fla. Stat. § 985.701(3)(c) |
Common questions about sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties in Florida
Is sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 985.701.
Sexual misconduct with juvenile offender by employee: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 985.701(1)(a)2.) · Failure to report or preventing reporting of sexual misconduct: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 985.701(3)(a)) · Submitting inaccurate or untruthful report: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 985.701(3)(b)) · Coercion or threats to alter testimony or report: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 985.701(3)(c))
What are the penalties for sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties in Florida?
Penalties for sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties 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 sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties?
Sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties is governed by Fla. Stat. § 985.701 (Sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties).
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.