Fort Lauderdale Sex Offense Lawyer
One in four women, and one in 26 men, have been raped, or have been the victim of an attempted rape. As such, sex crimes are prosecuted as major felonies in the State of Florida. If you have been charged with any type of sex crime, you need to understand the gravity of your situation, and the severity of the penalties that you are likely up against. The Fort Lauderdale sex offense lawyer at Haber | Blank LLP is here to answer any questions you may have, and to review your case as soon as possible to begin mounting a legal defense to the allegations that have been thrown at you.
What is a Sex Offense?
A sex offense, which involves any sexual act, can be a forcible or non-forcible offense. The former occurs when the victim does not give consent to a sexual act that is forced on them. The latter (a non forcible offense) occurs when the perpetrator engages in a sexual act with a person who is unable to legally give consent, such as a minor, someone who is unconscious or heavily intoxicated, or someone with a mental deficiency.
Florida’s Most Common Sex Offenses
- Sexual Battery—Sexual battery, otherwise known as rape, is oral, anal, or female genital penetration by, or in union with, another’s sexual organ, or the anal or female genital penetration by an object. Sexual battery is usually a second or first degree felony, depending on the circumstances of the incident, which carry 15 and 30 year maximum penalties, respectively. However, if the victim is very young, if the perpetrator used a deadly weapon during the commission of the crime, or if the victim was seriously injured, it may constitute a life felony, or a capital felony, the latter of which is punishable by life in prison without parole, or the death sentence.
- Exposure of Sexual Organs—Exposing or exhibiting one’s sexual organs in a vulgar or indecent manner is considered exposure of sexual organs. Usually, this is a first degree misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to a year in jail. However, if the victim was a minor or a young child, the offense is enhanced to lewd and lascivious conduct, which is a major felony.
- Lewd and Lascivious Conduct—There are many forms of lewd and lascivious conduct, which is a major crime, often punishable as a third, second, first, or even capital felony. Exposing one’s sexual organs to a child under 16 is a second degree felony, molestation (which is the touching of the breasts, genitals, crotch, butt, or the clothing over those locations of a victim under 16) is anywhere from a third degree felony to a capital felony.
- Other Common Sex Offenses—Prostitution, child pornography, failure to register as a sex offender, and sexual misconduct
Call a Fort Lauderdale Sex Offense Lawyer Today
Sex offenses carry severe penalties and often long mandatory minimum sentencing requirements. They also require convicted individuals to register as sex offenders. Being convicted of a sex offense can ruin your life in many ways, which is why it is so important to begin working on a defense strategy as soon as possible. Call the Fort Lauderdale sex offense lawyer at Haber | Blank LLP today at 954-767-0300 to schedule a free consultation.
