Miami Sex Crimes Lawyers
The Miami sex crimes lawyers at our firm represent clients throughout Florida who are under investigation or are facing prosecution for sex crime charges. In the case of sexual crime allegations, a great deal is on the line. If you are found guilty of a sexual criminal charge, it could have lasting consequences for your personal and professional life. Having a conviction for a sex-related offense can seriously affect your reputation, where you are allowed to live, who you are allowed to talk to, whether you can work in a particular field, travel, or your immigration status. With an experienced Miami sex crime defense lawyer on your side, you have a significantly greater chance of obtaining a favorable outcome.
The criminal justice system, the jury, and even court personnel can sometimes be prejudiced against a person facing charges for sex-related offenses because they commonly involve the sexual exploitation of children or sexual contact with other vulnerable people. People are prone to assume someone is guilty based on false accusations alone-but accusations are not proof. It's everyone's right to have a lawyer by their side, aggressively defending them against criminal charges. If you hire us, you can trust our Miami sex crime attorneys to do everything in our power to defend you and protect your rights.
Attorneys at the Firm specialize in criminal defense, all of whom have experience as either former prosecutors or public defenders. With years of experience aggressively defending clients accused of sex offenses, our criminal defense attorneys have years of experience.
Common Sex Crime Offenses?
There are different types of sex crime allegations under Florida law, depending on the sexual conduct, facts, and type of physical contact. In the case of alleged crimes against children, several offenses may be committed. Criminal charges involving sexual contact with children include lewd and lascivious acts, lewd and lascivious molestation, lewd and lascivious battery, sexual abuse of children, child molestation, encouraging sexual performances by children, and possessing or distributing child pornography. The law prohibits nonconsensual sexual activity between adults, like sexual assault and battery. The law also prohibits consensual sexual activity between adults under certain conditions, like prostitution. Some charges are related to sexually exposing oneself or invading a person's privacy, including indecent exposure, voyeurism, and exposure of sexual organs. In addition, a wide variety of offenses may be considered internet sex crimes since they take place online in some way or another. It's important to note that convictions for certain types of crimes often result in jail or prison sentences, hefty fines, lengthy probationary terms, and mandatory registration as sexual predators in sex offender registries.
Moreover, you may be restricted from living in certain places if convicted of certain sexual offenses. Suffice it to say there is a wide range of sex offenses with severe potential penalties, including prison time, lengthy probation sentences, and heavy fines. You need legal counsel with the necessary legal experience to provide you with an aggressive defense to increase your odds of surviving a criminal allegation with a positive outcome.
Criminal prosecutions for sexual offenses in Miami-Dade County are usually handled by state courts. The prosecution of a sexual criminal offense as a federal crime is rare but can occur occasionally. Our criminal defense lawyers defend several types of sexual offenses, including the following:
Penalties for Sex Offenses in Florida
Florida's sex crime penalties depend on the severity of the offense, the defendant's previous convictions, and the victim. Serious sexual offenses are felony offenses; less severe charges are misdemeanors.
Florida has several misdemeanor sex crimes, including prostitution and indecent exposure. Prostitution is considered a second-degree misdemeanor if committed for the first time, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and $500 in fines. Subsequent offenses carry greater penalties. Indecent exposure is classified as a first-degree misdemeanor. If convicted, a person may be sentenced to jail for up to one year and fined up to $1,000.
A third prostitution offense, possession of child pornography, and failing to register as a sex offender are examples of lesser felony sex crimes. The offenses are third-degree felonies, punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines upon conviction.
The offense of sexual battery is classified as a second-degree felony in Florida. If convicted, the sentence can be up to 15 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. It should be noted, however, that severe forms of sexual battery result in more severe punishments. For example, a person convicted of sexual battery upon a person 12 years of age or older who used or threatened to use a deadly weapon, or used actual physical force likely to cause serious personal injury, commits a life felony, punishable by a life sentence.
Because they involve sexual activity with minors, the criminal penalties for lewd and lascivious conduct and lewd and lascivious molestation can be more severe, ranging from 5 years to life in prison.
Penalties and punishments for sex crimes in Florida can be draconian. Sexual offenders are shunned and stigmatized. For most people, sexual offenses against children arouse intense emotions. Legislators respond by increasing penalties and sex-offender registration rules for those who commit sexual offenses. Because of this, a sexual offense can often lead to severe penalties, including lengthy jail sentences and lifetime sex-offense registration requirements. A conviction can impact everything in your life, including future employment opportunities, access to public benefits, and even custody proceedings. If you are a non-US citizen, a sex crime conviction can also negatively affect your immigration status. It is essential to hire an experienced sex crimes attorney to preserve your reputation and exercise your constitutional rights.
Contact Experienced Miami Sex Crime Lawyers
If you're accused of committing a serious sexual offense, like sexual assault, possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, or a lewd and lascivious offense, our experienced Miami sex crime lawyers can help minimize the chances of being convicted. You need someone to present your case, so people understand why you're innocent. You need a sex crimes defense attorney who will stand up for you when you're accused of a sex crime. If you're guilty of the accusations, you must do everything possible to mitigate the effects of your conviction. Our attorneys have successfully obtained dismissals and not-guilty verdicts in several sex crime cases. An outcome that reduces the severity of a charge can sometimes be considered a successful outcome in certain cases. Our attorneys have handled cases like yours and represented clients with similar needs and concerns. You will minimize the risk of a sex crime case negatively impacting your career and reputation by immediately retaining legal representation from an experienced Miami sex crimes lawyer.
