As a licensed instructor in Florida, your reputation is everything. It is what’s used to help you get job placement and build rapport with students. With that said, one could imagine the potential damage a sex crime conviction can do to a teacher. Not only do you face a permanent stain on your reputation, but also having your teaching license suspended and even termination.
Those convicted of sex crimes must also register as a sex offender which immediately disqualifies them from working as an educator. Teachers risk not only their freedom but their entire livelihood when convicted of a sex crime which is why it’s essential that those accused of sex crimes seek the counsel of seasoned criminal defense attorneys.
The Orlando teacher sex crime lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm have extensive experience successfully representing those accused of committing various sex crimes. We understand the unmistakable impact of being convicted of a sex crime as an instructor. Our team will exhaust our legal resources to help have your charges reduced or even dismissed altogether if possible. We’re here to fight for your freedom. Reach out to us today to discuss the extent of your legal options.
Florida teachers often face a range of sex crime allegations. While the most notable may involve teacher-student relationships, that is only one of the many situations that may lead to criminal charges. Numerous other circumstances including a teacher’s conduct in the presence of students and their interactions with them can also lead to teachers facing felony charges.
The following includes some of the most common sex crime accusations against Florida teachers:
Each sex crime has a specific set of penalties outlined in the Florida Statutes. The details of the incident in concert with the accused individual’s criminal history will determine whether he or she faces felony charges in the first, second, or third degree.
Teachers are often accused of a myriad of sexual offenses but there few more common than unlawful sexual activity with minors. Florida Statute § 794.05 defines the crime as when an individual (teacher) 24 years of age or older engages in consensual sexual activity with another individual (student) 16 or 17 years of age. Meeting these specific age requirements is essential for the charge to apply as individuals 18 to 23 years of age can, in some situations, legally have consensual sex with a 16- or 17-year-old.
Florida recognizes this sex crime as a second-degree felony punishable by:
Being that the age of consent is 18 in Florida, anyone under that age cannot legally consent to sexual activity. This is why teachers who claim to be in consensual relationships with their underage student still face criminal prosecution. In instances when the student is 15 years of age or younger, the teacher can face lewd and lascivious battery charges.
Florida does not accept ignorance of the student’s age as a viable defense to unlawful sexual activity with a minor, even if the student lied about his or her age. As a result, it’s vital that you seek representation from a sex crime attorney who can make you aware of applicable defenses to the charges you’re up against.
The Orlando teacher sex crime lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm have over 100 years of combined experience and consists of former state and local prosecutors. We can evaluate your case and determine the most appropriate defense to implement for your specific situation.
In some instances, a teacher is falsely accused of committing a sex crime for a slew of reasons including mental illness of the accuser or a reckless attempt by a disgruntled student to get a teacher fired, or a parent that is out to get the professor. Whatever the case may be, we have experienced and tough lawyers who focus their law practice on defending teachers accused of sex acts. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
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