Florida legal term
Harmful to minors in Florida Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Florida legislative session
In Florida criminal law, “Harmful to minors” 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 “Harmful to minors” mean in Florida criminal law?
“Harmful to minors” means any reproduction, imitation, characterization, description, exhibition, presentation, or representation, of whatever kind or form, depicting nudity, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement when it:(a) Predominantly appeals to a prurient, shameful, or morbid interest;(b) Is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable material or conduct for minors; and(c) Taken as a whole, is without serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors.A mother’s breastfeeding of her baby is not under any c (Fla. Stat. § 847.001)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Sexting; prohibited acts; penalties
- Exposing minors to harmful motion pictures, exhibitions, shows, presentations, or representations
- Harmful communication to a minor
- Harmful materials; sale or distribution to minors or using minors in production prohibited; penalty
- Prohibition of adult entertainment establishment that displays, sells, or distributes materials harmful to minors within 2,500 feet of a school
- Retail display of materials harmful to minors prohibited
- Transmission of material harmful to minors to a minor by electronic device or equipment prohibited; penalties
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.