Sex crimes are offenses that occur when a person sexually abuses or forces others into sexual encounters through mental or physical coercion. These crimes, which include sexual battery, assault, and rape, all have potentially severe consequences. Although everyone accused of a crime is entitled to a presumption of innocence under the law, those facing allegations of sex crimes are often subject to public scorn and prejudgment of their actions. These criminal accusations may be highly damaging to your career, your family, and your personal life. As a result, may likely need the help of one of our skilled criminal Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert throughout your criminal proceedings.
With the help of a Loxahatchee sex crimes Lawyer, you may be better suited to combat the criminal accusations made against you. To get started on a case, be sure to schedule a consultation today.
Sexual Battery in Loxahatchee
One common sex offense under state law is sexual battery, which encompasses traditional notions of sexual assault. Under Fla. Stat. § 794.11, sexual battery occurs when individuals orally, anally, or vaginally penetrate or join with the sexual organ of another or anal or vaginal penetration of another with any object.
The charges and penalties resulting from sexual battery depend on the circumstances that led to the offense and the respective ages of the parties involved. Relevant factors include whether individuals used deadly weapons in the commission of the crime, the level of physical force involved, and any injuries that occurred. As these charges can have harsh results, consulting a sex crimes Lawyer in Loxahatchee right away may be wise.
In some cases, sexual battery charges are capital or life felonies. For instance, if an adult over the age of 18 injures the sexual organs of a child under the age of 12 during the commission or attempted commission of sexual battery, the offense is a capital Felony. Likewise, the offense is a life Felony if individuals who are under the age of 18 commit the same crime against a child under the age of 12.
Penalties for Unlawful Sexual Activity
A lesser offense is unlawful sexual activity under Fla. Stat. § 794.05. This crime occurs when individuals who are 24 or older engage in sexual activity with others who are 16 or 17 years of age. Sexual activity can involve any type of penetration with a sexual organ or another object. This offense is a second-degree Felony, which can result in up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
One related offense is lewd and lascivious battery. Fl. Stat. § 800.04 provides that this offense occurs when people engage in sexual activity with others who are between the ages of 12 and 16. Sexual activity also constitutes lewd and lascivious battery if individuals cause others under age 16 to engage in sexual activity, prostitution, or other similar actions. This offense can be a first or second-degree Felony, depending on the situation.
Furthermore, lewd and lascivious molestation is an offense under this section that occurs when individuals intentionally touch the private parts of others under the age of 16 in a lewd or lascivious manner. The level of the charge can range widely depending on the relative ages of the parties involved, but generally is a second-degree Felony offense. Other related crimes include lewd and lascivious conduct and lewd and lascivious exhibition.
Sex Offender Registration Requirements
One collateral consequence of a conviction for specific sex crimes is mandatory sex offender registration. Convictions for sexual battery and lewd and lascivious offenses against individuals under the age of 16, among various other sex offenses, could trigger sex offender registration requirements. Once released from incarceration, these individuals have 48 hours in which to check in and register with their local Law Enforcement agency.
Sex offender registration requires individuals to provide Law Enforcement with specific personal information for inclusion in a publicly accessible database. When combined with restrictions on where convicted sex offenders may live and work, the impact of a sex crime conviction can continue well after individuals have served out their sentences. As a result of these unwanted repercussions, getting the advice of a sex crimes Attorney in Loxahatchee may be highly beneficial.
Call a Loxahatchee Sex Crimes Attorney for Advice
When you are facing criminal charges for a sex offense, you cannot hesitate to get the legal advice that you need in this situation. Without aggressive legal representation on your side, you likely will put your future at risk. Enlisting the assistance of a Loxahatchee sex crimes Lawyer can be crucial to a more favorable resolution to the charges against you.
The possible consequences of a conviction for a sex offense may include lengthy terms of incarceration, high fines, and mandatory sex offender registration. You may face lifelong limits on where you may live and be unable to pursue some careers. By working together with one of our defense Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert, you may be able to reduce or minimize the incidence of some of these ramifications.
