Florida law sets rules for resisting officers and assaults on workers

A person is not justified in using or threatening force to resist an arrest, detention, or an officer performing official duties when the officer acts in good faith and appears to be an officer. This rule covers arrests, detentions, and officers performing official duties. “Good faith” means making sincere and reasonable efforts to follow legal requirements, even if the arrest, detention, or other act is later found unlawful. An officer may not use force if the officer knows an arrest or legal duty is unlawful.

A defendant must receive life in prison without eligibility for release if the required findings are made. The victim must be a law enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer, including part-time and auxiliary officers, performing official duties. The required facts must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Covered offenses include specified murders, attempted murders, attempted felony murder, and manslaughter. First degree murder is included when no death sentence is imposed.

Knowingly assaulting or battering listed workers while they perform lawful duties brings a higher offense classification; some offenses against law enforcement officers carry minimum prison terms. Covered workers include law enforcement and correctional personnel, firefighters, emergency medical and hospital workers, certain transportation and security workers, and utility workers on critical infrastructure. The person must knowingly commit the assault or battery while the listed worker performs lawful official duties. The text sets minimum prison terms for some offenses against law enforcement officers: six months for battery committed to further a riot or aggravated riot, three years for aggravated assault, and five years for aggravated battery.

Knowingly and willfully using violence to resist, obstruct, or oppose specified officers or other legally authorized people is a third degree felony. The provision covers specified law enforcement and corrections personnel, probation officials, state law enforcement personnel, and other people legally authorized to execute process. The person must use or offer violence against someone carrying out legal process or performing official duties.