Sex Crimes

Speak to a Sanford Sex Crimes Attorney

Being accused of a sex offense in Florida can be a life-changing situation, not only for the person charged with the crime, but also for his or her family.

These are serious offenses that come with the threat of harsh penalties. It is vital that you have an experienced criminal defense lawyer in your corner to help you fight back.

Sanford sex crimes attorney Ryan Yadav is a seasoned lawyer who has helped people across Seminole County resolve these and other cases on optimal terms. Ryan is a tireless litigator who will build the strongest possible defense for you while exploring alternatives to prosecution that can minimize the impact of the charges.

Florida Sex Offenses

Sex crimes in Florida are among the most serious offenses in the state’s criminal code. Individuals convicted of a sex crime may face long prison sentences, mandatory sex offender registration, probation, and life-altering social stigma.

Florida law takes an aggressive stance against these offenses, and prosecutors often pursue charges to the fullest extent. For anyone accused of a sex crime in Florida, it is critical to understand the nature of the charges, the applicable laws, and the potential consequences.

Sexual Battery (Rape)

“Sexual battery” is the legal term used for what is commonly known as rape. It is defined as the oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another, or by any other object, without the victim’s consent. It also occurs when there is sexual contact with someone who is legally incapable of consent, such as certain minors.

The severity of the charge depends on several factors, including:

• The age of the victim
• The use of force or threats
• The use of a weapon
• Whether the defendant held a position of authority over the victim (like a teacher or police officer).

A conviction often comes with long stretches of time behind bars and requires registration as a sex offender.

Sexual Assault

“Sexual assault” is sometimes used to encompass a wide range of other offenses that involve unwanted touching and non-consensual sexual behavior. It may be prosecuted formally as sexual battery, attempted sexual battery, or lewd and lascivious conduct.

These offenses can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the victim’s age and other circumstances.

Lewd and Lascivious Offenses

This is another category of sex crime that is used to prosecute an array of offenses.

Lewd and lascivious battery, for instance, is sexual activity involving a minor between the ages of 12 and 15 years old. It is treated as a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Lewd and lascivious molestation is the touching of a minor under the age of 16 years old in a sexual manner. It is also a felony, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison.

Indecent exposure involves the intentional exposure of one’s sexual organs in public or in view of others, under circumstances that are likely to offend or alarm others. It is typically considered a misdemeanor offense, but it can result in more serious charges in cases involving victims who are minors and other circumstances.

Solicitation and Prostitution-Related Offenses

Solicitation involves asking, encouraging, or hiring someone to engage in sexual activity for money or something of value. This applies to both a person offering sex and those seeking to buy it.

A first-time offense is usually charged as a misdemeanor, while repeat offenders are likely to face felony charges. The seriousness of the crime and the penalties ratchet up significantly for people accused of running prostitution or sex trafficking operations, as well as situations involving victims who are minors or otherwise coerced into prostitution.

Online Sex Crimes and Exploitation

Many sex crimes now occur through the internet, social media, dating apps, and text messaging. Florida law aggressively targets online sexual offenses, especially those involving minors.

Some of the most common online sex crimes include:

• Online solicitation of a minor
• Traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity
• Possession or distribution of child pornography
• Transmission of material harmful to minors
• Sexting among minors
• Use of a computer to seduce or entice a minor
• Sexual cyberstalking

What To Do if You Are Charged with a Sex Crime

Being charged with a sex crime—no matter the eventual outcome—can be severely detrimental to your personal and professional life, and the effects of negative press or slander can follow you for years into the future. If you are currently under investigation, or have been arrested, for a sex crime, or sex-related offense, your first plan of action needs to be to get in contact with an aggressive Sanford sex crimes attorney to defend yourself.

In a sex crime, the most critical time is the pre-arrest interview with law enforcement officials, and in most cases, this interview is a disaster without the legal guidance of your attorney. Often, people under investigation feel that they can talk their way out of being arrested or simply explain their side of things to a seemingly impartial police officer. However, during this phase of an investigation, the police are on a fishing expedition, looking for any evidence or hint of criminal activity that could be used against a suspect in their criminal prosecution.

If the interview is in a custodial setting, law enforcement officials should read a detained suspect his or her Miranda rights, which include the right to an attorney, and the right to remain silent. These two pieces of information are crucial in ensuring a fair trial, and if an officer fails to read these rights, a good Sanford sex crimes attorney can use that to his client’s advantage.

At the interview, the presence of a lawyer is a strong deterrent for the police to try any scare tactics or sneaky questions that may inadvertently trip up a suspect. Your lawyer can also counsel you on how best to phrase your answers, and to put your actions in the best possible light.

At the Law Office of Ryan N. Yadav, our attorneys are willing and able to aggressively defend clients in Sanford County and surrounding areas who have been charged with sex-related crimes such as the following:

• Sexual Battery
• Sexual Assault
• Rape
• Lewd and Lascivious Battery
• Lewd and Lascivious Conduct
• Lewd and Lascivious (Improper) Exhibition
• Romeo and Juliet Laws
• Statutory Rape
• Assignation and Solicitation of Prostitution
• Possession of Child Pornography or pornographic images
• Traveling to Meet a Minor

Any one of these crimes could lead to serious repercussions, both present and future, even if you are found to be innocent of the charges. A sex offender label, no matter how fleeting, or any involvement in a sex crimes investigation, can be negatively reflected on your reputation, and could cost you future jobs, relationships, financial standing, and even your good name.

Sadly, innocent people are charged and even convicted of sex crimes they did not commit every day, sometimes spending years in jail. Unfortunately, these people cannot escape the negative connotations even after their release. In Florida, if you are charged with a sexually related offense, jail and prison time are very real possibilities, and the state requires all convicted offenders to register for life as sex offenders. Under the “Jimmy Ryce Act,” sexual offenders may also face possible civil commitments.

Sanford Sex Crimes Attorney Ryan Yadav Can Help

If you have been charged with a sex offense in Florida, you do not need to go it alone. Sanford sex crimes attorney Ryan Yadav can help you understand your situation and begin defending the case right away. Ryan will fight aggressively to protect your rights. Call 407-878-7855 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-strings-attached consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions for a Sanford Sex Crimes Attorney

Will I have to register as a sex offender?

A person who is convicted of a sex crime is required to register as a sex offender or sexual predator.

This is one of the most lasting impacts of a conviction. The state sex offender registry is public: it includes your photo, address, employer, and details about your offense. In other words, anyone can go into the online database and find your name, age, photo, and certain details about the crime for which you were convicted. Some offenders get the enhanced label of a “sexual predator” based on the nature of the offenses and the threat posed to the community.

Registration as a sex offender can also limit where you can live – particularly near schools, parks, or daycares – and work. You may be required to report your travel, employment, and internet identifiers to the authorities and have regular check-ins with law enforcement.

Is consent a defense in a sex crime case?

Yes, but not always. A crucial element of proving sex crimes involving adults is that the touching or other sexual behavior was unwanted. Consent is often a key defense in these cases.

Consent is not a valid defense, however, in cases involving victims who are under the age of 16 in Florida. It also cannot be used in cases alleging that the victim was coerced, intoxicated, or otherwise mentally incapacitated.

What are other possible defenses?

Being accused of a sex crime does not mean you are guilty of that crime. The available defenses vary based on the crime with which you are charged, but some of the most common include:

• False accusations
• Misidentification
• Entrapment
• Lack of evidence
• Unlawful search and seizure

The key to success is early, aggressive legal representation. The sooner you get an experienced criminal lawyer, the sooner they can start building your defense.