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Pinellas Criminal Law Florida criminal law, explained
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Florida statute summary

F.S. §784.03 — Battery; Felony Battery

Defines battery as intentionally touching or striking another person against their will, or intentionally causing bodily harm, and sets its offense level.

  • Updated
  • Checked against the official text
  • Topic: Assault & Battery

Official text

Read the wording of section 784.03 as published by The Florida Senate.

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What this section covers

A person commits battery by actually and intentionally touching or striking another person against that person’s will, or by intentionally causing bodily harm to another person.

Offense level

  • Battery: first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
  • Battery with a prior conviction: a person who has a prior conviction for battery, aggravated battery, felony battery, or resisting an officer with violence under section 843.01 and commits another battery commits a third-degree felony. Resisting an officer with violence was added to that list by chapter 2026-149, Laws of Florida, effective July 1, 2026. For this purpose a “conviction” includes a plea of guilty or no contest even if adjudication was withheld.

Battery that causes great bodily harm or involves a deadly weapon is charged under section 784.045 (aggravated battery). When the people involved are family or household members, the definitions in section 741.28 apply. The general maximums for each offense level are in the offense level reference.

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