Criminal defense
Disturbing a School, Religious Service, Funeral, or Sporting Event in Miami
A shouting match at a school board meeting. A confrontation during a church service. Running onto the field at a game. Florida has specific laws for disrupting schools and lawful gatherings, military funerals, and sporting and entertainment events.
Dennis Gonzalez Jr. is a former Miami-Dade prosecutor who has been defending people since 2012. Our office answers 24 hours a day.
Disturbing a School or Assembly
What the State must prove (s. 871.01(1); Fla. Std. Jury Instr. (Crim.) 30.6, Elements): you willfully and maliciously interrupted or disturbed a school, an assembly of people meeting for worship, an assembly meeting to acknowledge the death of an individual, or an assembly meeting for any other lawful purpose.
The instruction's commentary explains that the law reaches only deliberate disturbances: the person must act intending to impede the gathering, or with reckless disregard of the effect; the conduct must be something a reasonable person would expect to be disruptive; and it must actually and significantly disturb the gathering. The instruction also notes it is unsettled whether "maliciously" means legal malice (intentionally and without lawful justification) or actual malice (ill will or spite), and leaves that choice to the judge.
Penalties: first-degree misdemeanor (up to 1 year and a $1,000 fine). If, while disturbing the gathering, the person makes a credible threat, it is a third-degree felony (up to 5 years). Under the instruction, the State must then prove a threat that put someone in reasonable fear for their safety, made with apparent ability to carry it out, and that the person was aware a reasonable person could see it as a serious expression of intent to commit violence.
What changed: a 2023 law, effective May 1, 2023, rewrote this section. Before that date, the offense required only a willful disturbance and was a second-degree misdemeanor. The 2023 law added the word "maliciously," raised the offense to a first-degree misdemeanor, added gatherings to acknowledge a death, and created the credible-threat felony.
Disturbing a Military Funeral
(s. 871.01(2); Instr. 30.7, Elements): you willfully interrupted or disturbed an assembly acknowledging the death of a member of the U.S. armed forces, attended by a military funeral honors detail. First-degree misdemeanor. For protests near any funeral, see Residential Picketing & Unlawful Protests.
Interference with a Sporting or Entertainment Event
(s. 871.05; Instr. 30.9, Elements), during a "covered event" (a game, practice, or live performance, from the time the venue opens to the public until the event ends):
- Touching, striking, or harming a participant (players, officials, coaches, performers, and event operations and security staff) against their will: first-degree misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $2,500.
- Willfully entering or staying in a restricted area, such as the field, court, or stage area, without authorization: first-degree misdemeanor, fine up to $2,500.
- Willfully entering or staying in a venue during a ticketed event with attendance over 5,000, without authorization: third-degree felony.
- Paying or offering something of value to get someone else to do any of these: third-degree felony.
- A person convicted may not profit from the violation, and any profit is subject to forfeiture.
What changed: a 2025 law, effective May 16, 2025, added the felony for unauthorized entry into large ticketed venues.
Defense Themes
- A real, significant disturbance. Noise or disagreement alone may not be enough.
- Malice and willfulness. Accidents, misunderstandings, and good-faith participation do not meet that standard.
- Free speech and assembly. Speaking at a public meeting, protesting peacefully, and religious expression are generally protected. These laws target disruption, not viewpoint.
- Authorization. For event charges, did you have a ticket, credential, or invitation?
What to Do First
- Do not return to the school, church, or venue until you speak with a lawyer.
- Save tickets, credentials, and video.
- Do not explain yourself to police without a lawyer.
Why Choose Dennis Gonzalez Law, P.A.
- Former Miami-Dade prosecutor.
- Defending people since 2012.
- Super Lawyers recognition and an Avvo Rating of 10.0.
- Bilingual office — se habla español.
- We answer 24 hours a day. Call (305) 209-0384.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is running onto the field a crime?
Yes. Willfully entering a restricted area during a covered event without authorization is a first-degree misdemeanor.
Can a parent be charged for yelling at a school board meeting?
Only if the State proves a willful and malicious disturbance; the instruction's commentary adds that it must actually and significantly disrupt the meeting. Speaking out is generally protected.
Is this the same as disorderly conduct?
No, but they are often charged together. See Disorderly Conduct.