If you are facing allegations of any type of sex offense, the potential consequences can be severe and can include lengthy prison sentences, high fines, and mandatory sex offender registration. The advice of a Pompano Beach sex crimes lawyer could help you minimize the potential negative consequences.
Any type of sex offense conviction, whether felony or misdemeanor, has the capacity to affect your life. The creation of a criminal record could alter your ability to seek employment or find a place to live. Our aggressive defense attorneys at Leifert & Leifert could help create a more effective defense strategy to fight the charges you face.
What is Sexual Battery in Pompano Beach?
Sexual battery, as defined in Florida Statutes § 794.11, is the use of any object to carry out the penetration of, or union with, the sexual organ of another individual. This offense could be a Misdemeanor or Felony, depending on the circumstances surrounding the offense.
Sexual battery is considered a life Felony if the sexual battery:
- It involves individuals over the age of 12
- Is without consent
- Uses or threatens to use a deadly weapon
- Uses actual physical force that is likely to cause a serious physical injury
Sexual battery may be considered a first-degree Felony if individuals over the age of 18 allegedly commit the offense against others without their consent or under various aggravating circumstances. If, however, the sexual battery offense does not involve force or physical violence likely to cause a serious physical injury, then the offense falls to a second-degree Felony.
Under Fla. Stat. § 794.05, unlawful sexual activity, including sexual activity between an individual aged 24 or older and a person who is 16 or 17 years of age, is also a second-degree Felony. A Pompano Beach sex crimes lawyer could help explain the differences in charges.
Misdemeanor Sexual Offenses for Lewdness and Indecent Exposure
Fla. Stat. § 800.02 makes it a second-degree Misdemeanor to commit any unnatural and lascivious act with another. Exposing sexual organs to others in a vulgar and indecent manner or being naked in public constitutes a first-degree Misdemeanor, in accordance with Fla. Stat. § 800.03.
Lewd and lascivious battery occurs under Fl. Stat. § 800.04. When individuals engage in sexual activity with those between the ages of 12 and 16 or cause those under 16 to engage in sexual activity, they could face charges. Lewd and lascivious molestation involves the intentional touching of minors under the age of 16 in a lewd or lascivious manner on certain areas of their body or the enticement of them to touch another in a similar manner.
The degree of Felony charged for these offenses depends on the age of the minor and the age of the accused. High-level Felony charges may have serious repercussions for those accused. For this reason, getting advice from an experienced lawyer could be highly advisable.
What are the Penalties Following a Conviction for Sex Crimes?
The age of the individuals involved, the nature of the offense, and the presence of previous convictions may all influence the penalties for a Sex Crime. The potential criminal charges arising from sex crimes may vary depending on the circumstances. As a result, the penalties can range from the death penalty or life in prison to less than 60 days in jail.
Other potential penalties for a conviction on a Sex Crime may include fines up to $15,000. A conviction for a sexual offense also may require mandatory sex offender registration. Given the potential severity of the consequences of a sex offense conviction, consulting a Pompano Beach sex crimes attorney may be extremely important.
Contact a Pompano Beach Sex Crimes Attorney for Help
When you are facing sex offense charges of any degree, the stakes are extremely high. The assistance of a Pompano Beach sex crimes lawyer may be critical to protecting your future.
The potential severity of the punishment for sex offense conviction can be highly detrimental to your future and impact your life for years to come. Do not make the mistake of trying to handle this serious matter on your own. Instead, get legal representation to protect your interests throughout your criminal proceedings. Call Leifert & Leifert today.
