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Florida statute

Fla. Stat. § 871.05 — Interference with a sporting or entertainment event

Current through 2025 Florida Statutes

Part of Chapter 871: Disturbing Religious and Other Assemblies, Florida Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Fla. Stat. § 871.05

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. § 871.05Primary source, current through the 2025 Florida Statutes
(1) As used in this section, the term:(a) “Covered event” means an athletic competition or practice, including one conducted in a public venue, or a live artistic, theatrical, or other entertainment performance event. The duration of such event includes the period from the time when a venue is held open to the public for such an event until the end of the athletic competition or performance event.(b) “Covered participant” means an umpire, officiating crew member, player, coach, manager, groundskeeper, or any artistic, theatrical, or other performer or sanctioned participant in a covered event. The term includes event operations and security employees working at a covered event.(c) “Restricted area” means any area designated for use by players, coaches, officials, performers, or other personnel administering a covered event that is on, or adjacent to, the area of play or performance. (2) A person may not:(a) Intentionally touch or strike a covered participant during a covered event against the will of the covered participant, or intentionally cause bodily harm to a covered participant during a covered event;(b) Willfully enter or remain in a restricted area during a covered event without being authorized, licensed, or invited to enter or remain in such a restricted area; or(c) Willfully enter or remain in a venue during a ticketed covered event wherein attendance exceeds 5,000 persons, without being authorized, licensed, or invited to enter or remain in such venue. (3) A person who:(a) Violates paragraph (2)(a) or paragraph (2)(b) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $2,500.(b) Violates paragraph (2)(c) commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.(c) Solicits another person to violate subsection (2) by offering money or any other thing of value to another to engage in specific conduct that constitutes such a violation commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (4) A person convicted of a violation of this section may not realize any profit or benefit, directly or indirectly, from committing such a violation. Any profit or benefit payable to or accruing to a person convicted of a violation of this section is subject to seizure and forfeiture as provided in the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is interference with a sporting or entertainment event a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?

It depends on the circumstances: interference with a sporting or entertainment event ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 871.05.

Touching/striking or bodily harm to covered participant, or unauthorized entry into restricted area: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 871.05(3)(a)) · Unauthorized entry into large ticketed venue: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 871.05(3)(b)) · Solicitation to commit a violation of subsection (2): Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 871.05(3)(c))

Which Florida statute covers interference with a sporting or entertainment event?

Interference with a sporting or entertainment event is governed by Fla. Stat. § 871.05 (Interference with a sporting or entertainment event).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.