Sex Crime Attorneys
Conviction of a sexual criminal offense can result in lengthy prison sentences, loss of reputation, and the condemnation of the community. Florida is one of the toughest states on sex crimes and abuse, imposing the most strict sentences and penalties, and frequently making an offender’s return to the community extremely difficult. There are many of sex crimes, all requiring the help of a knowledgeable and experienced attorney who can successfully challenge the prosecution’s case and mount a strong, persuasive defense.
What is a Sexual Offender?
In Florida, a sexual offender is a person who has been convicted of committing, or attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit, any of the criminal offenses of a sexual nature proscribed in the laws of Florida, or similar offenses in another jurisdiction. A conviction is a determination of guilt as a result of a trial or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld. We defend people charged with all manner of sex crimes and abuse in Tampa, including:
- Lewd or Lascivious Battery;
- Lewd or Lascivious Molestation;
- Lewd or Lascivious Conduct;
- Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition;
- Unlawful Sexual Activity with Minors;
- Sexual Battery; and
- Rape.
Under Florida law, Lewd or Lascivious Conduct is a crime that occurs when a person intentionally touches a person under 16 years of age in a lewd or lascivious manner; or solicits a person under 16 years of age to commit a lewd and lascivious act. Neither the victim’s lack of chastity nor the victim’s consent is a defense to any of the offenses that are categorized as lewd and lascivious. Additionally, the perpetrator’s ignorance of the victim’s age, the victim’s misrepresentation of his or her age, or the perpetrator’s bona fide belief of the victim’s age cannot be raised as a defense in a prosecution. For persons 18 or older the crime of Lewd and Lascivious conduct is a classified as a Second Degree Felony and is subject to any combination of the following penalties:
- Up to fifteen (15) years in prison;
- Up to (15) years of sex offender probation; and
- Up to $10,000 in fines.
For persons younger than 18, the crime of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct is classified as a Third Degree Felony, and subject to a minimum prison sentence of 24 ½ months, as well as any combination of the following penalties:
- Up to five (5) years in prison;
- Up to five (5) years of sex offender probation; and
- Up to $5,000 in fines.
Contact an Experienced Tampa Sex Crimes and Abuse Attorney
An arrest or conviction for a sexual criminal offense can forever tarnish your reputation, erode the trust of friends and family, and result in lengthy prison sentences. If you have been arrested for a sexual crime in Florida, contact All Criminal Defense Group by email or call 813-672-1900 to schedule a free consultation for guidance and representation from a knowledgeable and experienced Tampa sex crime lawyer.
