Florida legal term
Domestic violence in Florida Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Florida legislative session
In Florida criminal law, “Domestic violence” 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 “Domestic violence” mean in Florida criminal law?
“Domestic violence” means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member. (Fla. Stat. § 741.28)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Accessory after the fact
- Domestic violence; investigation of incidents; notice to victims of legal rights and remedies; reporting
- Interference with custody
- Possession of firearm or ammunition prohibited when person is subject to an injunction against committing acts of domestic violence, stalking, or cyberstalking; penalties
- Recognition of foreign protection orders
- Risk protection orders
- Violation of an injunction for protection against domestic violence
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.