Disturbing Religious and Other Assemblies In Florida

In the United States, the Bill of Rights provides freedoms to every individual. One of those freedoms is the Right To Assemble. That grants all citizens the right to gather peacefully and promote their causes or express their shared ideas.  Examples of assemblies and gatherings include schools, churches, funerals, speeches, and protests. When a person knowingly disturbs or disrupts any of these gatherings, it’s an illegal offense.

If you’re facing charges for disturbing a religious event or any other assembly, it’s in your best interest to seek the guidance of trusted legal counsel. At The Umansky Law Firm, we will work tirelessly to build a defense strategy that stands up in court and works in your favor.

What are Legal Examples of Disturbing Assemblies?

Florida Statute 871.01 outlines Disturbing Religious or Other Assemblies as protection from disturbances in schools, religious assemblies, and other lawful gatherings. When a person seeks to disturb these gatherings, it takes a lot of effort on their behalf. Common examples of disturbing religious or other assemblies include:

• An adult disrupting the school day by yelling or fighting in front of students
• A person vocally and purposefully disrupting prayer in a religious setting
• A person making a fool of themselves in the middle of a public meeting for the purpose of causing a scene.

Although many people consider protests to be disturbances, they are actually not considered as such in a court of law. Disturbance cases require a lot of evidence to be proven in court. If a person gets convicted of disturbing religious or other assemblies, they face serious penalties under Florida law.

Florida Penalties for Disturbing Religious and Other Assemblies

According to Florida Law, Disturbing Religious and Other Assemblies is considered a second-degree misdemeanor. Such a crime is subject to penalties such as fines up to $500 and up to 60 days incarceration. Multiple offenses or a repeat offense is cause for more severe penalties. Furthermore, using a firearm or other weapon to disturb an assembly is also a cause for more severe penalties and can even be charged as a felony. 

An experienced criminal defense lawyer will understand that the best way to mitigate the charges their client faces is gathering credible evidence. At The Umansky Law Firm, we are committed to serving our clients as best as possible and will do everything in our power to ensure they feel confident in our defense strategy.

Viable Defense Strategies for Disturbance Charges

There are a variety of defense strategies that can be used for Disturbing Religious or Other Assemblies in Florida. Some of the most popular defense strategies include:

• Right to protest
• Mistaken identity
• Act was not a disturbance

It’s imperative to speak with an attorney before you go before a judge for any of these charges. Remember, just as you have the right to assemble, you also have the right to a fair trial and to competent legal representation.

Hire an Orlando Attorney That Will Fight For Your Rights

In Orlando, the most trusted criminal defense team is the lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm. With more than 100 years of combined experience, we have won thousands of cases for people across Central Florida. As former prosecutors, we bring a unique point of view to every case because we understand what we’re working against.

Let us help you win your second chance. Call 407-228-3838 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today. Don’t wait. You should never let your life be defined by one mistake.