FL H0337

Creates Florida Statute 784.079 establishing a new crime of assault or battery on courtroom personnel, defined as any person employed by or performing contractual services in a courthouse or judicial facility directly related to trials, hearings, grand jury proceedings, or other judicial proceedings.

Includes attorneys, court reporters, probation officers, judges, bailiffs, and clerks in the definition of protected courtroom personnel.

Makes it unlawful to commit assault or battery on courtroom personnel whom the offender knows or reasonably should know is such a person and who is acting in the course of their duties, regardless of whether the offense occurs on courthouse premises.

Establishes a first offense as a third-degree felony punishable under existing Florida sentencing statutes.

Establishes a second or subsequent offense as a third-degree felony with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 3 years, effective October 1, 2020.