Lewd and Lascivious Behavior/Statutory Rape
Lewd and Lascivious crimes encompass various unlawful sexual acts between adults and minors. If convicted, these crimes can carry very long prison sentences up to and including life in prison. Additionally, they can carry stringent statutory conditions, restrictions and designations such as a sex offender or a sex predator.
Consent is not a Defense
Often this is the charge where a young couple is engaging in a consensual sexual relationship. Under the laws of Florida, the State can prosecute this conduct even against the alleged victim’s wishes.
Ignorance or Belief of the Alleged Victim’s Age is Not a Defense
Even if the alleged victim lies about their age or the accused has a bona fide belief that the alleged victim is of age, it cannot be raised as a legal defense. Contact me today for a free initial consultation.
Capital Sexual Battery
A person 18 years of age or older who commits a sexual battery upon a person less than 12 years of age commits the crime of Capital Sexual Battery. If convicted for this charge the sentence is life in prison.
Sexual Battery/Rape
Florida Statute Chapter 794 encompasses the various crimes of sexual battery or rape. These offenses and their possible sentences vary depending on the age of the alleged victim and accused as well as the circumstances surrounding the crime.
Seduction of a Child Via Computer
Each act of using the internet to lure or entice or attempt to lure or entice a minor to commit an unlawful sexual act is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. It is not a defense to the crime if the “minor” on the other end of the computer is in fact a law enforcement officer. Traveling any distance for the purposes of engaging in an unlawful sexual act after using the internet to lure or entice a minor or to attempt to lure or entice a minor to commit any unlawful sexual act is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Possession of Child Pornography
Possession of child pornography is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. The State may charge the accused with a felony for each photograph.
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
If you have been convicted of a crime that carries a designation of a sex offender; Florida Law requires that you register certain information with various agencies such as the Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Failure to so in a timely manner will result in a charge of a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
