Common Types of Sex Offenses in Florida
Sex offense charges, varying from misdemeanors to felonies, cover a spectrum of serious allegations. These involve child molestation, crimes involving minors, sexual abuse, public indecency, inappropriate touching of genitals, rubbing genitals through clothing, acts of masturbation, and instances of sexual assault. Legal consequences for such offenses can be severe, and demand specialized legal representation.
Sexual Battery
Sexual battery in Florida is legally defined as non-consensual oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object. Sexual battery is a serious felony offense with penalties varying based on factors like the use of force or violence and whether the perpetrator used drugs or a weapon to as a means of coercion.
Lewd & Lascivious Conduct
Lewd and lascivious conduct refers to any indecent or obscene act performed in the presence of or on a person under the age of 16 with the intent to satisfy the sexual desires of either the person committing the act or the minor. This includes behaviors such as touching, fondling, or engaging in sexual activity that does not necessarily result in penetration.
Child Pornography
Our firm has extensive experience working with experts to navigate the technological defenses that arise with IP addresses, external and internal, and other potential defenses to the crime of possession or creation of child pornography.
Molestation involves inappropriate sexual activity with or in the presence of a minor under the age of 16. This crime includes actions such as touching the breasts, genitals, buttocks, or the clothing covering these areas of a minor in a lewd or lascivious manner, or forcing or enticing a minor to do the same. The law categorizes these actions based on the age of the offender and the minor, with penalties increasing if the offender is over 18.
Traveling to Meet a Minor
Traveling to meet a minor refers to an adult traveling any distance with the intent to engage in sexual activity with a person believed to be a minor. Our legal team has extensive experience in representing individuals charged with traveling to meet an minor using defenses such as entrapment, alibi, and technology errors.
Sexual Assault
In Florida, sexual assault is more commonly referred to under the legal term “sexual battery.” According to Florida law, sexual battery is defined as the oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by the sexual organ of another or any other object without the consent of the victim. This definition encompasses a range of non-consensual sexual activities beyond just forcible rape, including instances where the victim is unable to consent due to incapacitation, coercion, or physical or mental disability.
Indecent Exposure
Indecent exposure refers to the deliberate display of one’s genitals in public, causing alarm or offense. This act is considered a misdemeanor punishable by 1 year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.
Prostitution
According to Florida Statute 796.07, Prostitution is described as “the giving or receiving of the body for sexual activity for hire.” It is criminalized in many areas due to concerns about exploitation, human trafficking, and public decency. Penalties for those involved in prostitution can range from fines to imprisonment, with laws frequently extending to penalize individuals who solicit these services as well.
The Villages
The Villages, FL 32778