Advice to Referees
You need to know the laws in Florida if you are a game official
Fl. Stat. § 784. 081
The Florida Senate and House approved a bill to protect sports officials at all ... The new law protects officials not only during the game, but before and after.
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush sign the bill into law effective Oct. 1, 2004
http://www.naso.org/pressreleases/st129.htm
Assault or battery against a sports official actively participating in an athletic contest or immediately after and the actor knows or has reason to know the victim’s identity, position, or employment
When the underlying crime is:
• Aggravated battery: 1st degree felony—up to 30 years in prison, up to $ 10,000 fine, or both
• Aggravated assault: 2nd degree felony—up to 15 years in prison, up to $ 10,000 fine, or both
• Battery: 3rd degree felony—up to five years in prison, up to $ 5,000 fine, or both
• Assault: 1st degree misdemeanor—up to one year in prison, up to $ 1,000 fine, or both
Referee, umpire, linesman, or similar official known by another title, registered or a member of a local, state, regional, or national organization that educates and trains sports officials
Jozsef A. Michna, SRA / SYRA
