Sex crimes frequently arise from false accusations and carry heavy social stigma. Often those accused of sexual offenses are high school or college students. For example, an 18 year old high school student who engages in sexual activity with their 16 year old girlfriend can be charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor, or an intoxicated college student who urinates in public can be convicted of exposing their sexual organs. These charges can haunt an alleged sexual offender the rest of their life. Some common sexual offenses in Florida are:
- Rape
- Sexual Assault
- Sexual Battery
- Exposure of Sexual Organs
- Lewd and Lascivious Acts
- Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor
- Voyeurism
- Prostitution
- Solicitation
- Child Molestation
- Child Pornography
- Luring or Enticing a Child
- Sexual Performance by a Child
- Sex Trafficking
Alleged sex crimes offenders not only face severe social judgment, but can also be punished with jail or prison time and fines. Additionally, in Florida, alleged offenders convicted of sexual offense that are felonies against minors are required to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life.
Tallahassee Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer
If you have been charged with a sex crime in Leon County, an experienced attorney can analyze the facts of your case, and find an applicable defense or other circumstances to reduce your charge or have it dismissed. Don Pumphrey, Jr. is familiar with Florida’s sexual offense laws, and can help you clear your name. If you have been charged with a Florida sexual offense, contact Don Pumphrey, Jr. today for a consultation about your alleged offense in Tallahassee.
Florida Sex Crimes Information Center
Back to top
Common Florida Sexual Offenses
Some of the most common sex crime charges in Florida are:
-
Rape – This offense generally falls into the category of “Sexual Battery” under the Florida Statutes § 794.011. However, under provisions of the Florida Statutes, rape can also be defined as “Sexual Violence,” and include any felony where a sexual act has been committed or attempted.
-
Sexual Assault – This offense is also defined as “Sexual Violence” under Florida Statutes § 784.046.
-
Sexual Battery – This offense is commonly charged as rape, but under Florida Statutes § 794.011, it can include anything that is oral, anal or vaginal penetration, or touching, by any object that is not for any medical purpose.
-
Exposure of Sexual Organs – According to Florida Statutes § 800.03, it is unlawful to expose one’s sexual organs in public in an indecent manner, or to be naked in public.
-
Lewd and Lascivious Acts – These acts are frequently defined as unnatural acts with sexual connotations, or crude, indecent behavior, and are listed in Florida Statutes § 800.02.
-
Luring or Enticing a Child – This offense is defined as a person 18 or older who entices a child, age 12 or under, into a building for an unlawful purpose according to Florida Statutes § 787.025.
-
Sexual Performance by a Child – Under Florida Statutes § 827.071, if someone knowingly uses or promotes a child less than 18 years of age to engage in a sexual performance, they can be convicted of this offense.
Back to top
Other Possible Repercussions for Sex Crimes
Potential penalties convicted sexual offenders face in addition to criminal punishment are:
- Reputation damage
- Loss of employment or inability to find a respectable job
- Destroyed relationships with family members and friends
- Requirements to register as a sex offender for felonies committed against minors
Back to top
Penalties for Sex Crimes in Florida
A conviction of committing Lewd and Lascivious Acts is a misdemeanor of the second degree. This misdemeanor can incur up to 60 days imprisonment and/or fines up to $500.
Exposure of Sexual Organs or Luring or Enticing a Child are misdemeanors of the first degree. These misdemeanors can include imprisonment up to one year and/or fines up to $1,000.
A conviction for Luring or Enticing a Child by someone who has already been convicted of a sexual offense is a felony of the third degree. This felony can involve Florida prison time of five years or less and/or fines up to $5,000.
Most offenses promoting the Sexual Performance by a Child will result in a second degree felony conviction. These felonies can include up to 15 years in state prison and/or fines not exceeding $10,000.
Sexual Battery against someone who is over 12 years old is a first degree felony. A conviction for this felony can lead to imprisonment up to 30 years and possibly life imprisonment, depending on the crime and/or fines up to $10,000.
Someone who commits Sexual Battery against another person over the age of 12 and uses a deadly weapon can be convicted of a life felony. This felony is punishable by prison time up to life in state prison, depending on the crime and previous convictions, and/or fines up to $15,000.
A person who commits Sexual Battery against someone under the age of 12 commits a capital felony, and can be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole or death, and also incur fines.
Back to top
Sex Crime Resources in Florida
The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers – This national organization is dedicated to preventing sexual abuse.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement – A Florida governmental agency that promotes public safety by preventing, investigating and solving crimes. The Department is located at:
2331 Phillips Road
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
(850) 410-7640
Back to top
Law Offices of Don Pumphrey, Jr. | Tallahassee Sex Crimes Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with a sex crime in Leon County, Tallahassee, contact Don Pumphrey, Jr., of the Law Offices of Don Pumphrey, Jr. to discuss the facts of your particular case. An experienced attorney may be able to have your charge completely dismissed or reduced. Lawyer Don Pumphrey, Jr. has represented those accused of Florida sexual offenses, and will aggressively fight your criminal charge. Contact Don Pumphrey, Jr. at (850) 681-7777 for a consultation about your alleged sex crime.