Assault & Battery
Battery in Florida: Simple, Felony, and Aggravated Battery Explained
How Florida defines battery, when it is a misdemeanor and when it is a felony, what makes a battery aggravated, and how…
Topic
Assault & Battery
How Florida defines assault, battery, and the aggravated forms of each.
In Florida, assault and battery are separate offenses. Assault (section 784.011) is an intentional, unlawful threat that creates a well-founded fear of imminent violence, and is a second-degree misdemeanor. Battery (section 784.03) is intentionally touching or striking another person against their will, or intentionally causing bodily harm, and is a first-degree misdemeanor. Aggravated battery (section 784.045), involving great bodily harm or a deadly weapon, is a second-degree felony.
Guides
Florida statutes on this topic
Plain-language summaries, each linked to the official text.
- F.S. §784.011 — Assault Defines assault as an intentional, unlawful threat to do violence to another person, with an apparent ability to carry it out, that creates a well-founded fear…
- 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.
- F.S. §784.045 — Aggravated Battery Makes battery a second-degree felony when it causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement, involves a deadly weapon, or the victim was known to…
Official resources
Government and bar sources for checking the current law and procedures.
- Florida StatutesThe Florida Senate (opens in a new tab)
- Florida Rules of Criminal ProcedureThe Florida Bar (opens in a new tab)
- Florida CourtsFlorida State Courts System (opens in a new tab)
- Seal and Expunge ProcessFlorida Department of Law Enforcement (opens in a new tab)
- Driver licenses and suspensionsFlorida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (opens in a new tab)
- Lawyer Referral ServiceThe Florida Bar (opens in a new tab)