Disturbing Schools and Other Assemblies

Florida has specific laws that are designed to keep schools safe and secure, but these laws are sometimes overused in situations where charging a person is unwarranted. Disturbing school activities is a second-degree misdemeanor charge under Florida law, and can apply to both adults and juvenile defendants. If a juvenile is involved in a school fight, he or she could potentially be charged with battery and disturbing school activities. Adults are commonly charged with this offense as well, at it usually begins with some sort of argument with administration or teachers. School employees and resource officers are quick to charge a parent for disturbing school, when the situation easily could have been avoided by conversation. If you or your son or daughter has been charged with disturbing school, Benjamin Herbst will fight to have the charges dropped or dismissed. He represents both adults and juveniles in school related charges in South Florida and along the Treasure Coast, and is available anytime for a free consultation at (954) 543-0305. This law does not just apply to public schools, as the definition of a school under Florida law is broad and includes private schools. Another similar provision prohibits disturbing educational institutions and school board activities. In addition to prohibiting the interference of any school related activity, this offense also includes conduct related to interfering with the attendance of a pupil or school employee.

A juvenile who is charged with disturbing school will be summoned to appear in court before a judge, and may be placed on probation or have a permanent delinquency finding if the case is not handled properly. Benjamin Herbst is an experienced South Florida criminal defense lawyer who specializes in defending juveniles for all charges including disturbing school. Benjamin knows how to communicate and build a relationship of trust with his juvenile clients, and he is patient and understanding with all issues that his younger clients are dealing with. He is available 7 days a week to offer a free consultation, and has flexible meeting hours in his Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach office locations. Benjamin represents adults and juveniles in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County, and is also an experienced Treasure Coast lawyer for clients facing charges in Martin and St. Lucie County.

The statute regarding school disturbances also applies to religious ceremonies and funerals. While disturbing a religious ceremony and disturbing a funeral are rare, police will not hesitate to charge a person as soon as they arrive to the scene of a disturbance. The law also prohibits disturbing any lawful gathering of people, which again is an extremely broad definition. Police officers who respond to a disturbance have the authority to make an arrest if they witness any part of the disturbance. There is a fine line between freedom of speech and disturbing a lawful assembly, and if you have been charged your case may be subject to a free speech defense. Benjamin Herbst will do whatever it takes to have the charges dismissed prior to trial, and if a dismissal does not occur, he will not hesitate to bring the case before a jury. Contact Benjamin anytime to learn what defenses may be available in your case or your child’s case today. In addition to meeting in his offices, Benjamin is also willing to travel anywhere from Miami to Port St. Lucie for a consultation.