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Florida legal term

Authority figure in Florida Criminal Law

Current through 2026 Florida legislative session

In Florida criminal law, “Authority figure” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Florida criminal code.

What does “Authority figure” mean in Florida criminal law?

“Authority figure” means a person 18 years of age or older who is employed by, volunteering at, or under contract with a school.(b) “School” has the same meaning as provided in s. 1003.01 and includes a private school as defined in s. 1002.01, a voluntary prekindergarten education program as described in s. 1002.53(3), early learning programs, a public school as described in s. 402.3025(1), the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, and the Florida Virtual School established under s. 1002.37. (Fla. Stat. § 775.0862)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.