July 18, 2018
A sex crime conviction—and even a charge or arrest—has the potential to ruin your life. As soon as the police begin investigating you for participating in a sex crime, your life will change. Taking the potential penalties out of the equation, a sex crime arrest, charge, or conviction is extremely humiliating and will likely affect your personal and professional relationships with others.
As with all crimes, if you are charged with a sex offense, you are presumed innocent until you are proven guilty. The State of Florida has the burden of proving that you committed a sex crime beyond a reasonable doubt. There may also be legal defenses applicable to the circumstances of your case.
If you have been charged with a St. Petersburg sex crime, you need a Florida lawyer on your side who will persuasively advocate for you and assert any and all legal defenses which may apply to your case. The St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyers at Khonsari Law Group can be your advocates in the courtroom and work toward obtaining a favorable result in your case.
Florida Sex Crimes
Although the nature and degree of Florida sex crimes vary, most sex crimes can be classified into one of three categories:
- Lewd or lascivious conduct
- Unlawful sexual conduct with minors
- Sexual battery or rape
The potential penalties upon conviction for these offenses also vary greatly, depending upon the age of the alleged victim and other factors.
Sex Crime Defenses
Defendants charged with a St. Petersburg sex crime may be able to present one or more of the following defenses:
- Consent – Consent means that the alleged victim voluntarily agreed to take part in the sexual activity. The accused may be able to assert this defense if a sexual relationship with the victim existed prior to the alleged offense. However, because the age of consent is 16 years of age in Florida, this defense does not work if the alleged victim was younger than 16 at the time of the alleged offense.
- DNA evidence – Following a sex crime, DNA evidence which is present in bodily fluids may be found on the victim’s body or clothing. Although DNA evidence is usually powerful, it is not infallible. In some cases, DNA evidence may be challenged in terms of its transportation or collection methods. A defendant may also be able to challenge the testing technique that was used to examine the DNA sample.
- Mistaken identity – In some cases, the alleged victim may not have been able to fully observe the defendant at the scene or view him or her in a clear light. In that case, the defendant may be able to allege mistaken identity. The same is true if the defendant has a strong alibi that proves that he or she was elsewhere at the time of the alleged offense.
Call a St. Petersburg, Florida, Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
If you have been arrested or charged with a Florida sex crime, you should not leave the outcome of your case to chance. The skilled criminal defense lawyers at Khonsari Law Group are ready to assist you with defending your criminal case. Please call us at (727) 269-5300 or contact us online to discuss how we may help you.