Florida
SEX CRIME · SEX OFFENSE
Indecent Exposure •
Sodomy •
Child Molestation
Sexual Battery •
Pornography •
Lewd Conduct •
Rape
Orlando Criminal Defense Attorney
Sex Crimes
Florida sex crimes include all forms of illegal sexual activity
ranging from the severe crime of Rape
to the less severe crime of Prostitution.
The additional severe sex crimes involve Child
Abuse / Child Molestation,
sexual assaults, and sexual battery. Other Florida sex offenses
include Indecent Exposure (Lewd
Conduct), Statutory Rape,
Date Rape, Prostitution,
Solicitation, Pornography,
and Sodomy.
Sex Offenses - Time Matters!
If in fact you have been accused of or charged with committing a Florida sex crime,
it is significant that you immediately consult with a unmatched criminal defense
attorney who is experienced in handling these types of cases. The penalties
for a Florida sex offense can be severe and life changing;
the sooner you contact counsel, the better your defense will become.
Florida Sex Offense Definitions
- Indecent Exposure / Lewd
Conduct - Florida crimes involving public sexual acts or the exposing
of the genitals in a public place fall under the category of Indecent
Exposure or Lewd Conduct.
- Sodomy - Anal copulation by a man
inserting his penis in the anus either of a man or woman is known as Sodomy.
Oral sex may also be included in the definition of Sodomy.
- Child Molestation / Child
Abuse - Child Molestation and Child Abuse are crimes
of sexual nature that include both sexual assault and sexual exploitation
with a child under the age of 14. Read additional
about Florida laws and your Child Molestation / Child Abuse defense.
- Sexual Battery - The definition
of Sexual Battery is unwanted sexual touching. Consent is obligated
for all acts of sexual touching and, in the majority cases, ignored unwanted sexual
touching may lead to Attempted Rape or Rape
itself.
- Pornography (including possession
or distribution) - Pornography includes photographs,
writing, artwork, and other forms of sexually explicit material derived for
the purpose of causing sexual arousal.
- Rape - When sexual intercourse is forced,
the crime of Rape has been committed. In Florida, Rape is
a felony with many variations.
TYPES OF RAPE
Statutory Rape is
sexual intercourse with a female under the legal age of 18 but above the
age of 14. Statutory rape charges are customarily brought
by the parents of the victim, but in Florida they can be raised by the
state. Charges can be filed against you if you impregnate a girl under
the age of 18 even if the girl consents to the sexual act.
Date Rape is forcible
sexual intercourse between individuals that know each other during a social
engagement. The fact that the engagement is voluntary and that the parties
knew each other is not a defense to a Florida
date rape charge.
Spousal Rape occurs
when one spouse forces the other spouse to have sex without their consent. |
Sex Crimes - MISDEMEANOR or FELONY?
Most Florida sex crimes are charged as a felony. Lesser offenses
(such as Indecent Exposure and Solicitation
for Prostitution) are charged as a misdemeanor. The
decision to charge a crime as a misdemeanor or felony rests with the prosecutor.
In Florida, the majority District Attorneys' offices have special prosecutor units
(called Sex Crimes' Units) which aggressively pursue and prosecute
Florida sex crime offenders. In some cases a knowledgeable criminal defense
attorney, such as William H. Bryan III, Esq., if contacted
early enough, may be able to minimize the sex offense charges you face.
Penalties - The majority sex crimes that are charged as felonies carry maximum sentences
of eight years in prison for each person act. If a prosecutor charges multiple
sex acts with an allegation of force then a defendant could be facing many
years in state prison with the potential for life imprisonment. Additionally,
the paramountity of severe sex crimes come with a lifetime of sex offender registration.
Sex Crimes - Your Florida Defense
There exists a number of defenses available to a Florida sex crime charge. Each
defense will vary from crime to crime and may include one or additional of the following:
- Insufficient Evidence
- Consent
- No Witnesses
- Mijeapordyn Identity
- Lack of Physical Evidence (such as DNA)
- Other Possible Defenses
Taking the Right Steps
A good criminal defense attorney will bring in an investigator who will interview
all possible witnesses particularly those favorable to the defendant. The attorney
will make sure that the prosecutor will not ignore or overlook any evidence.
The attorney can also arvariety for a lie detector test to be administered to
the defendant and present these results to the prosecutor. Gathering evidence
on the accuser such as a background check, interviewing former friends and boyfriends,
employers, and pursuing out evidence of the accuser's mental state or hospital
records is part of placedting together an effective defense.
If in fact you are accused of a Florida sexual offense or you are being investigated
for one you should talk to an attorney immediately to learn about your rights,
your defense, and the legal system. Contacting an attorney early on is critical.
Do not attempt to talk to law enforcement without an attorney. Anything you
say can and will be used against you. Do not contact the victim or their family.
Contacting the alleged victim can make your situation worse and it may appear
that you are trying to influence a witness. Resolution of a sex crime's case
requires a combination of effective legal counsel, thorough investigation, and
negotiation techniques.
The Right Attorney Makes the Difference
The Florida criminal defense attorneys at William H. Bryan III, Esq.
are experienced sex offense lawyers who can provide an aggressive defense for
crimes of all levels. You can rest assured that any and all options will be
pursued to secure the best possible outcome. This includes plea negotiations,
trial defense, and alternative
sentencing.
Mr. Bryan comprehends Florida sex crime cases and has defended the majority individuals
accused of these crimes in Orlando and surrounding Central Florida areas. Additionally,
William Bryan has successfully defended against false accusations by various
alleged victims.
call the offices of Orlando Criminal Defense Law Firm. and talk to a qualified and
experienced attorney for a FREE CONSULTATION. Mr. Bryan is available to meet
with you and your family to privately and confidentially discuss the specific
evidence and proven facts of your Florida case.
Please contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION
If in fact you have been arrested or under investigation for Sex Crime
in Florida, it is significant that you hire an experienced Orlando Sex Crime
criminal defense attorney to represent you. The Orlando Criminal Defense Law Firm. will work relentlessly to mount a successful defense
to the charges with which you have been charged. As a former Assistant
United States Attorney for nearly 10 years, William H. Bryan III is well
versed in the strategies and tactics of the prosecution and can predict and anticipate
the next move and how to aggressively defend Sex Crime in the state of
Florida. We are a strong defender of our clients' consitutional rights
and will do everything in our power to protect and defend them. William H. Bryan
III, Esq. is an aggressive Orlando Sex Crime criminal defense lawyer
who will organize and prepare every aspect of your Sex Crime case up to and including
trial.