Florida Statute 794.23 - Full Text and Legal Analysis

The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title XLVI
CRIMES

Chapter 794
SEXUAL BATTERY

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F.S. 794.023

794.023 Sexual battery by multiple perpetrators; reclassification of offenses.—

(1) The Legislature finds that an act of sexual battery, when committed by more than one person, presents a great danger to the public and is extremely offensive to civilized society. It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to reclassify offenses for acts of sexual battery committed by more than one person.

(2) A violation of s. 794.011 shall be reclassified as provided in this subsection if it is charged and proven by the prosecution that, during the same criminal transaction or episode, more than one person committed an act of sexual battery on the same victim.

(a) A felony of the second degree is reclassified to a felony of the first degree.

(b) A felony of the first degree is reclassified to a life felony.

This subsection does not apply to life felonies or capital felonies. For purposes of sentencing under chapter 921 and determining incentive gain-time eligibility under chapter 944, a felony offense that is reclassified under this subsection is ranked one level above the ranking under s. 921.0022 or s. 921.0023 of the offense committed.

History.—s. 4, ch. 84-86; s. 17, ch. 93-156; s. 24, ch. 95-184; s. 20, ch. 97-194; s. 2, ch. 99-172.

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Amendments to 794.023

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 794.023

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

S794.023 2 - SEX ASSLT - MT 1 PERSON COMMIT 2ND DEG FEL SEX BATT 1 VIC - F: F

S794.023 2 - SEX ASSLT - MT 1 PERSON COMMIT 1ST DEG FEL SEX BATT 1 VIC - F: L

S794.023 2a - SEX ASSLT - REMOVED - F: F

S794.023 2b - SEX ASSLT - REMOVED - F: L

Cases Citing Statute 794.023

Total Results: 33

Madiwale v. Savaiko

117 F.3d 1321, 1997 U.S. App. LEXIS 19000, 1997 WL 381277

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Filed: Jul 25, 1997 | Docket: 407529

Cited 110 times | Published

warrant affidavits include alleged violations of § 794.023; which prohibits sexual battery by multiple perpetrators

Standard Jury Instructions-Criminal Cases

603 So. 2d 1175, 17 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 400, 1992 Fla. LEXIS 1220, 1992 WL 148230

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jul 2, 1992 | Docket: 1475854

Cited 75 times | Published

give instruction on Judge enhancement, F.S. 794.023. Note to The option of the word "[with]

Standard Jury Inst. in Cr. Cases No. 2006-2

962 So. 2d 310, 2007 WL 2002611

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jul 12, 2007 | Docket: 2518611

Cited 36 times | Published

and proven, give instruction on enhancement. § 794.023, Fla. Stat. The option of the word "[with] (victim)"

Espindola v. State

855 So. 2d 1281, 2003 WL 22399573

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 22, 2003 | Docket: 1504247

Cited 18 times | Published

incapacitated victim is a first-degree felony); § 794.023(2)(b), Fla. Stat. (reclassifying all first degree

In Re Standard Jury Instruct. in Criminal Cases No. 2008-04

995 So. 2d 476, 33 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 864, 2008 Fla. LEXIS 2049, 2008 WL 4736377

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Oct 30, 2008 | Docket: 1285660

Cited 14 times | Published

and proven, give instruction on enhancement. § 794.023, Fla. Stat. The option of the word "[with] (victim)"

Gamble v. State

723 So. 2d 905, 1999 WL 4950

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 8, 1999 | Docket: 1319787

Cited 7 times | Published

0845, section 775.087, section 775.0875 or section 794.023." See Amendments to Florida Rules of Criminal

Gamble v. State

723 So. 2d 905, 1999 WL 4950

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 8, 1999 | Docket: 1319787

Cited 7 times | Published

0845, section 775.087, section 775.0875 or section 794.023." See Amendments to Florida Rules of Criminal

Gifford v. State

744 So. 2d 1046, 1999 WL 641853

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 25, 1999 | Docket: 1381237

Cited 6 times | Published

sexual battery is a third degree felony, under section 794.023, Florida Statutes (1997), a sexual battery

State v. Smith

668 So. 2d 639, 1996 WL 64775

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 16, 1996 | Docket: 1290530

Cited 5 times | Published

denied, 511 So.2d 299 (Fla.1987). Additionally, section 794.023, Florida Statutes (1993) mandates an enhanced

Cuevas v. State

741 So. 2d 1234, 1999 WL 776086

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 1, 1999 | Docket: 453109

Cited 4 times | Published

NOTES [1] § 794.011(4), Fla. Stat. (1995). [2] § 794.023, Fla. Stat. (1995). [3] § 794.011(4); 777.011

Clark v. State

969 So. 2d 573, 2007 WL 4244230

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 5, 2007 | Docket: 1726046

Cited 3 times | Published

from a first-degree felony to a life felony. See § 794.023(2)(b), Fla. Stat. (2001). The only truly disputed

In RE: AMENDMENTS TO the FLORIDA RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE-2018 REGULAR-CYCLE REPORT.

265 So. 3d 494

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Oct 4, 2018 | Docket: 7982207

Cited 1 times | Published

775.087, section 775.0875 , or section 794.023, Florida Statutes, or any other law that provides

In Re STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CRIMINAL CASES-INSTRUCTIONS 7.8, 7.8(A), and 11.1-11.6(A)

190 So. 3d 1055, 2016 WL 1460708

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Apr 14, 2016 | Docket: 3053710

Cited 1 times | Published

proven, a special instruction is necessary. See §.794.023, Fla. Stat. This instruction was adopted

Newman v. State

738 So. 2d 981, 24 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. D 1619

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 9, 1999 | Docket: 1503206

Cited 1 times | Published

if it were a felony of the first degree." See § 794.023(2)(a), Fla. Stat. (1997). Employing that statute

In re Adoption of Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.704 & 3.992 to Implement the Florida Criminal Punishment Code

721 So. 2d 265, 23 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 497, 1998 Fla. LEXIS 1829, 1998 WL 650579

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Sep 24, 1998 | Docket: 64784506

Cited 1 times | Published

0845, section 775.087, section 775.0875 or section 794.023, Florida Statutes, or any other law that provides

Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases (95-1)

657 So. 2d 1152, 20 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 338, 1995 Fla. LEXIS 1139, 1995 WL 410690

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jul 13, 1995 | Docket: 64757824

Cited 1 times | Published

perpetrators, give instruction on enhancement, F.S. 794.023. Note to judge The option of the word “[with]

In Re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure - 2018 Regular-Cycle Report

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jul 19, 2018 | Docket: 7471972

Published

0845, section 775.087, section 775.0875, or section 794.023, Florida Statutes, or any other law that provides

In Re: Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases – Report No. 2014-03

156 So. 3d 1037, 2015 WL 358011

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 29, 2015 | Docket: 2629104

Published

and proven, give instruction on enhancement. § 794.023, Fla. Stat. The option of the word “[with]

In re Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases

156 So. 3d 1037

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 29, 2015 | Docket: 60294043

Published

is-eharged-andproven-give-instruction on enhancement? § 794.023, Fla. Stat. The option■■■ of-the ■ word ‘‘[with]

Roca v. State

58 So. 3d 384, 2011 Fla. App. LEXIS 4866, 2011 WL 1331547

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 8, 2011 | Docket: 60299343

Published

because Mr. Roca was charged with violating section 794.023, which enhances second-degree sexual batteries

Allen v. State

988 So. 2d 694, 2008 Fla. App. LEXIS 11820, 2008 WL 2951520

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 4, 2008 | Docket: 64855497

Published

felony to a first degree felony pursuant to section 794.023, Florida Statutes (2004), since he was not

Allen v. State

982 So. 2d 1280, 2008 WL 2338526

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 10, 2008 | Docket: 233989

Published

erred in reclassifying the offense pursuant to section 794.023, Florida Statutes (2004). As the State concedes

Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases-Submission 2002-1

850 So. 2d 1272, 28 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 572, 2003 Fla. LEXIS 1146, 2003 WL 21511321

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jul 3, 2003 | Docket: 64824176

Published

and proven, give instruction-on enhancement, § 794.023, Fla.Stat. The option of the word “[with] (victim)”

Amendments to Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.704 & 3.992

810 So. 2d 826, 26 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 626, 2001 Fla. LEXIS 1929, 2001 WL 1130811

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Sep 26, 2001 | Docket: 64813224

Published

0845, section 775.087, section 775.0875 or section 794.023, Florida Statutes, or any other law that provides

Newman v. State

782 So. 2d 462, 2001 Fla. App. LEXIS 3440, 2001 WL 273231

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 21, 2001 | Docket: 64804755

Published

because they involved multiple perpetrators, § 794.023(2)(a), Fla. Stat. (1997), and sentenced Newman

Amendment to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.704(d)(23)

763 So. 2d 997, 24 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 570, 1999 Fla. LEXIS 2166, 1999 WL 1132900

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Dec 9, 1999 | Docket: 64799174

Published

0845, section 775.087, section 775.0875 or section 794.023, Florida Statutes, or any *998other law that

Keaton v. State

744 So. 2d 1235, 1999 Fla. App. LEXIS 14921, 1999 WL 1024081

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 12, 1999 | Docket: 64792241

Published

than one person. See § 794.023(2)(a), Fla. Stat. (1997). However, section 794.023(2)(a) is not a felony

Hartline v. State

743 So. 2d 90, 1999 Fla. App. LEXIS 12107, 1999 WL 729058

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 10, 1999 | Docket: 64791652

Published

improper because the reclassification provision, section 794.023, applies only if a charge is brought pursuant

Williams v. State

678 So. 2d 443, 1996 Fla. App. LEXIS 8222, 1996 WL 441631

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 7, 1996 | Docket: 64766715

Published

section 775.084(4), Florida Statutes (1993) or section 794.023, Florida Statutes (1993). Williams was convicted

Velasquez v. State

657 So. 2d 1218, 1995 Fla. App. LEXIS 7114, 1995 WL 385377

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 30, 1995 | Docket: 64757846

Published

attempted sexual battery should be enhanced by section 794.023 to, at least, a second degree felony. That

Taylor v. State

619 So. 2d 1017, 1993 Fla. App. LEXIS 5754, 1993 WL 177752

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 28, 1993 | Docket: 64696913

Published

than as a second-degree felony pursuant to section 794.023, Florida Statutes (1991). That section is the

Gordon v. State

599 So. 2d 1048, 1992 Fla. App. LEXIS 5827, 1992 WL 118358

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 5, 1992 | Docket: 64667821

Published

court stated as its reasons for departure: (1) Section 794.023, Florida Statutes (1991), authorizes enhancement

Florida Bar Re Standard Jury Instructions—Criminal

508 So. 2d 1221, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 259, 1987 Fla. LEXIS 1921

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: May 28, 1987 | Docket: 64628105

Published

perpetrators, give instruction on enhancement, F.S. 794.023. Note to Judge The option of the word “[with]