Orlando Sex Crimes Lawyer

Sexual Offenses In Florida

The area of law governing sex crimes is complex and involves many different offenses with laws requiring interpretation from a seasoned attorney. For this reason and many others, it is vital that those facing sex crime charges acquire legal representation from a law firm experienced handling a range of sex crime cases. Our team at The Umansky Law Firm has experience defending clients charged with:

The penalties for committing any of these crimes vary depending on the severity of the crime and the individual’s criminal history. Be sure you have a sex crimes attorney in Orlando who can protect your best interests throughout the negotiation and trial process.

Orlando Sex Crimes Penalties

Although there are different consequences depending on the sex crime you are charged with there are a few penalties that are applied to all felony sex offenses in Florida.

Sex Offender Registration: If you are convicted of a sexually-related felony in Florida you have to register with the state and the National Sexual Offender Registry.
Imprisonment: Though it varies depending on the crime, all sexual felonies in Florida carry a mandatory prison sentence.
Civil Commitment Proceedings: If you have been convicted of a sex-related felony, the State Attorney may seek to have the offender admitted to a commitment facility after the completion of their criminal sentence.
Probation: Once a person who has been convicted of a sex crime is released, he will be put on Sex Offender Probation. This probation regulates where you can live, work, imposes a curfew and, requires sexual offender counseling.

Orlando Sex Crimes Defense Strategies

Defending someone charged with a sex-related crime is much more difficult than other criminal charges. Typically sex crimes have specialized police and attorneys and sex crimes prosecutors generally have much more experience than most.

As former prosecutors ourselves, we are well-versed on how these kinds of cases are handled. There are several types of defense strategies that may be admissible including:

False Charges: Sometimes people bring false charges of sexual assault to cover up consensual sex if it would be damaging to the person’s reputation.
False Memory Syndrome: False memory syndrome can come into play when children make allegations that they have been victimized. The questions that an authority figure asks a child can cause the child to say and remember things that didn’t really occur.
Illegal Search and Seizure: If photos, computer files, or other materials were confiscated from you, and the search and seizure was improperly handled by the police, the obtained evidence is inadmissible.
Entrapment: Were you entrapped to commit a crime you would not normally have committed? If so, charges can be dropped.
Computer Hacking: Did someone hack into your computer and download images that you would never have downloaded yourself? If so, the charges won’t stick.

Learn how you may be able to expunge a sex offense in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to register as a sex offender if I take a plea deal?

In many cases, yes. State law generally requires registration for anyone convicted of a qualifying sexual offense, whether that conviction comes from a trial verdict or a negotiated plea. However, the specific terms of a plea agreement can sometimes influence the charge you plead to, which may affect registration requirements. This is one reason it is so important to have a sex crimes lawyer in Orlando review any proposed plea before you accept it.

Can someone reduce or dismiss the charges against me before trial?

It is possible, depending on the strength of the evidence and how investigators gathered it. Our attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm review every police report, forensic finding, and witness statement to look for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. When investigators obtain evidence improperly, or the facts do not support the charge someone filed, we may be able to negotiate a reduction or ask the court to dismiss the case entirely.

Do I need a lawyer if the police have only questioned and not arrested me?

Yes. If detectives from the Orlando Police Department or another local agency have contacted you about a sexual offense investigation, you should speak with an attorney before answering any further questions. Statements made early in an investigation, even before someone files formal charges, can shape the direction of the entire case.

How long does a sex crimes case typically take to resolve?

Timelines vary widely based on the severity of the charge, the amount of evidence involved, and whether the case proceeds to trial. Some matters resolve within months through negotiation, while more complex felony cases can take a year or longer. Our team keeps clients informed at every stage of the process, so they always understand what to expect next.

Will my case remain confidential?

State court records related to criminal charges are generally public, though the law may protect certain victim-identifying information in sexual offense cases. Our attorneys could explain what information is likely to become part of the public record given the specific circumstances of your case.

What should I do if someone falsely accuses me of a sex crime?

Avoid contacting the accuser and refrain from discussing the allegations with anyone other than your attorney. Preserve any evidence, such as text messages, emails, or witness information, that may support your account of events, and contact our office promptly so our team could begin building your defense.

Should I speak with the police before hiring an attorney?

No. The police can misinterpret or use even harmless statements against you later. Politely decline to answer questions beyond identifying yourself and request an attorney immediately. Our Orlando sex crime defense lawyers could then communicate with investigators on your behalf.