Prosecutors in Florida take sex crimes seriously and if you are convicted of a sex offense, you could face fines, prison time, and even mandatory sex offender registration. A criminal conviction could follow you for years to come, impacting your employment, housing, reputation, and personal relationships. In other words, you cannot afford to take on your charge without a plan.
When you are accused of this serious offense, it is important that you discuss with a trustworthy sex crime defense attorney. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the alleged crime occurred – but when a conviction does happen, the penalties will usually be steep. Speak to The Umansky Law Firm about possible Orlando sex crime penalties and how you could protect yourself.
A sex crime could involve any non-consensual and unlawful sexual contact. While the use or threat of force is often a factor, it is not necessary to convict someone of a sex crime. Some minor offenses are misdemeanors while others are felonies and are accompanied by harsh penalties. There are a wide range of crimes that fall into this broad category, but some of the most common are:
These incidents could take place in any number of bars or clubs in downtown Orlando, your place of employment, or even in someone’s home. The facts of the case will play a big role in your defense, and potentially also the penalties for conviction. Be sure to consult an Orlando lawyer about the charges you are facing to get a better understanding of the possible sex crime penalties.
The penalties for a particular sex crime depend on the severity of the offense charged, your prior criminal history, and the type of alleged victim involved. In Florida, prostitution and indecent exposure are considered misdemeanors. A first time offender charged with prostitution would face 60 days in prison and a fine up to $500. Meanwhile, someone accused of indecent exposure could be facing a year in prison and a fine up to $1,000. The penalties for misdemeanor sex crimes increase for repeat offenders.
The consequences for felony sex crimes are more substantial. For example, someone convicted of failure to register as a sex offender or possession of child pornography could face up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000. Crimes that involve child victims also tend to have more severe sentences. An incident that rises to the level of sexual assault could potentially rise to nearly 15 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. We can discuss the specific penalties of your particular charges during a consultation.
In addition to imprisonment and fines, someone accused of a sex crime in Orlando could face probation and mandatory sex offender registry as part of their punishment. Probation can place serious limitations on your life and mandatory sex offender registration will impact employment and housing opportunities, not to mention your social relationships. An experienced criminal defense attorney could work to mitigate the impact of these penalties if the court passes down a guilty verdict.
Criminal defendants are innocent until proven guilty and prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime as charged. If the government cannot prove their case, the charges against you should be dropped. The most important thing to know is: we will fight for you every step of the way.
We understand what is at risk when you are facing a sex crime charge, and our team is diligent in identifying evidence or process errors that could help your case. Our trusted attorneys will review your case to determine if the charges are appropriate and then advocate for you based on any mitigating factors or defenses available.
Do not let a poor legal defense lead to extensive sex crime penalties in Orlando. Call us and learn how we could protect your future with our zealous representation.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
