Florida statute
Fla. Stat. § 784.011 — Assault
Current through 2025 Florida Statutes
Part of Chapter 784: Assault; Battery; Culpable Negligence, Florida Statutes.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Fla. Stat. § 784.011
Statutory text current through the 2025 Florida Statutes. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Florida.
(1) An “assault” is an intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do violence to the person of another, coupled with an apparent ability to do so, and doing some act which creates a well-founded fear in such other person that such violence is imminent.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (3), a person who assaults another person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(3) A person who assaults another person in furtherance of a riot or an aggravated riot prohibited under s. 870.01 commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is assault a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: assault ranges from a Misdemeanor of the Second Degree to a Misdemeanor of the First Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 784.011.
Simple assault: Misdemeanor of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 784.011(2)) · Assault in furtherance of riot or aggravated riot: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 784.011(3))
Which Florida statute covers assault?
Assault is governed by Fla. Stat. § 784.011 (Assault).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.