Female Genital Mutilation
Knowingly committing or attempting female genital mutilation on a person younger than 18, or committing related removal or consent conduct.
Florida Statute
§ 794.08
Female genital mutilation
Verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: September 13, 2026
Quick Summary
Start with the conduct: direct act or attempt, removal from Florida for that purpose, or knowing consent or permission by a parent, guardian, or qualifying authority figure.
Classification Matrix
Use this as a quick classification reference. Specific facts, statutory circumstances, and charging allegations may affect the applicable result.
Direct Act or Attempt on a Person Under 18
F.S. § 794.08(2)
Knowingly committing or attempting female genital mutilation upon a female person younger than 18.
Removal From Florida for the Purpose
F.S. § 794.08(3)
Knowingly removing, causing, or permitting the removal of a female person younger than 18 from Florida for the purpose of committing female genital mutilation.
Knowing Consent or Permission by Authority Figure
F.S. § 794.08(4)
A parent, guardian, or qualifying familial or custodial authority figure knowingly consents to or permits female genital mutilation of a female person younger than 18.
Elements of the Offense
Elements of the Offense
Elements marked AND are cumulative. Elements marked OR identify statutory alternatives; one applicable alternative must be established when that theory is charged. Conditional elements apply only to the identified statutory track.
- Element 1AND — Required
Confirm the charged statutory track
The defendant knowingly committed or attempted to commit female genital mutilation upon a female person younger than 18 years of age, or committed another charged statutory track.
Plain language: Identify whether the charge concerns the direct act or attempt, removal from Florida, or knowing consent or permission.
- Element 2AND — Required
Confirm the charged statutory track
The State must prove the age, purpose, or qualifying authority-relationship facts required by the charged track.
Plain language: The direct-act track requires a victim younger than 18; the other tracks have their own required circumstances.
Jury Instructions
Jury Instructions
No dedicated Florida Standard Jury Instruction was located in the July 2026 compilation. Consult the current statute, applicable case law, and agency or legal guidance.
View Official Jury InstructionsImportant Definitions
Important Definitions
Female Genital Mutilation
The circumcising, excising, or infibulating, in whole or in part, the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris of a female person.
Qualifying Authority Figure
For the consent-or-permission track, a parent, guardian, or person in a position of familial or custodial authority to the female person younger than 18.
Additional Notes
Additional Notes
Quick Reference
Identify the statutory track first: direct act or attempt, removal from Florida for the purpose, or authority figure's knowing consent or permission.
Medical and Autopsy Exception
The statute excludes specified procedures performed by or under qualifying licensed medical professionals when necessary to preserve physical health, as well as qualifying autopsy or limited dissection procedures.
Consent Is Not a Defense
A minor's consent, or the consent of a parent, guardian, or qualifying authority figure, is not a defense to the offense.