July 23, 2018
Sex crimes are serious business in the State of Florida. If you are charged with and convicted of a Florida sex crime, a judge could sentence you to fines and jail time. Moreover, you may be required to register as an offender on the Florida Sex Offender Registry. This is a lifetime registry, and being on it can make it extremely difficult for you to find a job or a place to live.
A sex offense conviction can also be personally humiliating and embarrassing.
In some instances, individuals are wrongfully charged with sex crimes. In other cases, jealous family members or exes may file frivolous charges against someone out of retaliation.
In any event, a sex crime charge or conviction can land you in serious hot water. If you have been charged with a St. Petersburg sex crime, you have legal options available to you. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Khonsari Law Group can review those options with you and help you decide on the best way to move forward with your case.
Types of Florida Sex Crimes
The three main types of sex crimes in Florida include unlawful sexual acts with minors, “lewd or lascivious acts,” and sexual battery and rape. A conviction or guilty finding for any of these can result in serious fines or jail time.
- Unlawful sexual activities with minors – If an adult is 24 years of age or older, he or she is prohibited from engaging in consensual sex with a minor who is either 16 or 17 years of age or younger. Moreover, an adult cannot claim that he or she was unaware of the victim’s age at the time the sexual act occurred. Upon conviction, the court can sentence the offender to a maximum of 15 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. He or she may also be required to register as a sex offender.
- Lewd or lascivious conduct – In Florida, any type of sex offense committed against a minor who is younger than 16 constitutes a lewd or lascivious sexual act. Again, an offender cannot use ignorance of the victim’s age as a defense to the charge. If the offender is convicted, a judge may require him or her to register as a lifetime sex offender.
- Sexual rape or battery – Sexual rape or battery is an offense that typically involves force or coercion to commit a sexual act to which the victim did not consent. The penalties upon conviction depend upon several factors, including the ages of both the victim and the offender.
Talk to a St. Petersburg, Florida, Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Sex crimes are serious charges and require vigorous legal representation. If you have been arrested or are facing charges of a sex crime in the St. Petersburg area, you should let the knowledgeable criminal defense lawyers at Khonsari Law Group help you with formulating a defense in your case.
Do not hesitate to call our legal team at (727) 269-5300 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.