Florida battery law · Florida
Is slapping someone a battery in Florida?
With Sabrina Jadunandan, Orlando DUI defense attorneyDuration 1:00Reviewed 2026-08-07
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Is slapping someone considered battery under Florida law?
Yes, it can be. Under Florida law a battery is committed when a person intentionally touches or strikes another against that person's will — the touching does not have to be violent, and no injury is required. As Sabrina puts it using the Will Smith slap as the example, a slap counts, and so does a much smaller contact. The common defense that it 'was not that bad' or drew no blood does not change the elements.
What this video covers
- The elements of battery in Florida
- Why injury is not required
- Why 'it wasn't violent' is not a defense to the element
Editorial note
Off-topic commentary using a celebrity slap as a battery example. Noindexed to match other non-DUI commentary clips; page remains published.
Full transcript
Happy Monday, everybody. It's Sabrina the DUI Gyal from MCJ Law and what a great day to talk about battery. If you missed Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, I don't know where you've been, but today is perfect because I haven't done a video in a while, so here we go. In Florida, any touching, it doesn't matter what, against another person's will or consent is considered a battery. It could be a slap, it could be a little touch, it don't matter. Any touching against another person's consent is a battery. And I get a lot of cases like that where it's like, oh, well, I didn't even do anything that bad and it wasn't that violent, it didn't draw blood. Doesn't matter in Florida. Any touching without the person's consent. And if you find yourself in a situation where you feel like you're going to slap somebody, trust me, I understand, but make sure if you're going to do it, have their consent. If you have questions, drop them below. Hope this helps and have a great
Florida law and sources
- Florida Statute §784.03 — BatteryFlorida Legislature
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About Sabrina Jadunandan
Former DUI prosecutor, now an Orlando DUI defense attorney.
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The information on this website is for general information only and is not legal advice.