Florida statute
Fla. Stat. § 843.31 — Approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning
Current through 2025 Florida Statutes
Part of Chapter 843: Obstructing Justice, Florida Statutes.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Fla. Stat. § 843.31
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) As used in this section, the term:(a) “First responder” includes a law enforcement officer as defined in s. 943.10(1), a correctional probation officer as defined in s. 943.10(3), a firefighter as defined in s. 784.07(1), and an emergency medical care provider as defined in s. 784.07(1).(b) “Harass” means to willfully engage in a course of conduct directed at a first responder which intentionally causes substantial emotional distress in that first responder and serves no legitimate purpose.
(2)(a) It is unlawful for a person, after receiving a verbal warning not to approach from a person he or she knows or reasonably should know is a first responder, who is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, to knowingly and willfully violate such warning and approach or remain within 25 feet of the first responder with the intent to:1. Impede or interfere with the first responder’s ability to perform such duty;2. Threaten the first responder with physical harm; or3. Harass the first responder.(b) A person who violates this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the second 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 approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
Approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning is a Misdemeanor of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 843.31.
Which Florida statute covers approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning?
Approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning is governed by Fla. Stat. § 843.31 (Approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.