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Florida statute

Fla. Stat. § 784.0493 — Harassment or intimidation based on religious or ethnic heritage

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. § 784.0493

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.

Fla. Stat. § 784.0493Primary source, current through the 2025 Florida Statutes
(1) As used in this section, the terms “credible threat” and “harass” have the same meaning as in s. 784.048(1). (2) A person may not willfully and maliciously harass or intimidate another person based on the person’s wearing or displaying of any indicia relating to any religious or ethnic heritage. (3) A person who violates subsection (2) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. (4) A person who violates subsection (2), and in the course of committing the violation makes a credible threat to the person who is the subject of the harassment or intimidation, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (5) A violation of this section is considered a hate crime for purposes of the reporting requirements of s. 877.19.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is harassment or intimidation based on religious or ethnic heritage a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?

It depends on the circumstances: harassment or intimidation based on religious or ethnic heritage ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 784.0493.

Harassment or intimidation based on religious or ethnic heritage — base offense: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 784.0493(3)) · Harassment or intimidation based on religious or ethnic heritage — with credible threat: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 784.0493(4))

Which Florida statute covers harassment or intimidation based on religious or ethnic heritage?

Harassment or intimidation based on religious or ethnic heritage is governed by Fla. Stat. § 784.0493 (Harassment or intimidation based on religious or ethnic heritage).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.