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Florida Criminal Offense

Assault or Battery on Law Enforcement or Protected Personnel

Assault, battery, aggravated assault, or aggravated battery against law enforcement or another specified protected person engaged in official duties.

VariesVaries

Florida Statute

§ 784.07

Assault or battery of law enforcement officers and other specified personnel

Quick Summary

Use the matrix to apply the correct reclassification to the underlying offense and any applicable minimum sentence.

Classification Matrix

Use this as a quick classification reference. Specific facts, statutory circumstances, and charging allegations may affect the applicable result.

Assault on Protected Personnel

F.S. § 784.07(2)(a)

MisdemeanorFirst Degree

Underlying assault against protected personnel engaged in official duties.

Battery on Protected Personnel

F.S. § 784.07(2)(b)

FelonyThird Degree

Underlying battery against protected personnel engaged in official duties.

Aggravated Assault on Protected Personnel

F.S. § 784.07(2)(c)

FelonySecond Degree

Underlying aggravated assault against protected personnel engaged in official duties.

Aggravated Battery on Protected Personnel

F.S. § 784.07(2)(d)

FelonyFirst Degree

Underlying aggravated battery against protected personnel engaged in official duties.

Elements of the Offense

  1. Element 1

    The defendant knowingly committed the charged underlying assault, battery, aggravated assault, or aggravated battery against a person listed in section 784.07.

    Plain language: First establish the underlying offense and the protected person's qualifying status.

  2. Element 2

    The protected person was engaged in official duties when the offense occurred.

    Plain language: Document the duty status and facts establishing the defendant's knowledge.

Jury Instructions

Instruction 8.10

Assault on Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter, Etc.

Use for the section 784.07(2)(a) assault reclassification; select the applicable protected-person category.

View Official Instruction

Instruction 8.11

Battery on Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter, Etc.

Use for the section 784.07(2)(b) battery reclassification; select the applicable protected-person category.

View Official Instruction

Instruction 8.12

Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter, Etc.

Use for the section 784.07(2)(c) aggravated-assault reclassification.

View Official Instruction

Instruction 8.13

Aggravated Battery on Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter, Etc.

Use for the section 784.07(2)(d) aggravated-battery reclassification.

View Official Instruction

Additional Notes

Quick Reference

This page is the protected-personnel enhancement guide. Confirm the qualifying status, official-duty status, underlying offense, and the defendant's knowledge before selecting the matrix row.