J.D. v. State

The trial court found J.D. guilty of battery on a detention or commitment facility staff member, in violation of section 784.075, Florida Statutes (2003), and adjudicated the child delinquent. In this appeal, J.D. argues the trial court erred in denying his motion for judgment of acquittal,1 insisting the evidence was insufficient to demonstrate the victim of the crime was a “staff member” within the meaning of the statute. We find merit in J.D.’s argument.

Here, the evidence before the trial court was that J.D. punched the victim in the chin at the Thompson Academy while J.D. was an inmate…