Approaching First Responder After Warning
Knowingly and willfully approaching or remaining within 25 feet of a first responder after a verbal warning, with specified improper intent.
Florida Statute
§ 843.31
Approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning
Verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: September 13, 2026
Quick Summary
The Halo Law requires a verbal warning from a first responder engaged in lawful duty, a knowing and willful violation by approaching or remaining within 25 feet, and intent to impede, threaten physical harm, or harass.
Classification Matrix
Use this as a quick classification reference. Specific facts, statutory circumstances, and charging allegations may affect the applicable result.
Approaching First Responder After Warning
F.S. § 843.31(2)
Knowingly and willfully violating a verbal no-approach warning and approaching or remaining within 25 feet with a specified prohibited intent.
Elements of the Offense
Elements of the Offense
Elements marked AND are cumulative. Elements marked OR identify statutory alternatives; one applicable alternative must be established when that theory is charged. Conditional elements apply only to the identified statutory track.
- Element 1AND — Required
The State must prove all of the following
A first responder whom the defendant knew or reasonably should have known was a first responder was engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty and gave the defendant a verbal warning not to approach.
Plain language: The defendant knew or should have known the person was a first responder doing a lawful duty and received a verbal no-approach warning.
- Element 2AND — Required
The State must prove all of the following
After receiving the warning, the defendant knowingly and willfully violated it by approaching or remaining within 25 feet of the first responder.
Plain language: After the warning, the defendant intentionally came within or remained within 25 feet.
- Element 3OR — Alternative
Prohibited intent — one applicable alternative
Jury Instructions
Jury Instructions
Instruction 21.23
Interfering With a First Responder After Warning
Florida Standard Jury Instruction for F.S. § 843.31; select the applicable first-responder and prohibited-intent alternatives.
View Official InstructionVerified against the official instruction source: September 13, 2026
Important Definitions
Important Definitions
Harass
Willfully engaging in a course of conduct directed at a first responder that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress and serves no legitimate purpose.
Additional Notes
Additional Notes
Quick Reference
Document the first responder's lawful duty, the verbal warning, the defendant's knowledge or reason to know of the responder's status, distance, and the specific prohibited intent. Mere presence within 25 feet is not enough without the warning violation and specified intent.