Sexual Crimes Tampa

If you are facing charges related to a sexual crime, it is crucial to seek the guidance of an experienced sexual crime lawyer in Tampa who can help you navigate the legal system and protect your rights. That’s where we come in, working to ensure you receive a fair trial in court and negotiating plea deals with prosecutors.

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Sex crimes in Florida are defined as criminal offense that occurs when:

An individual sexually abuses another person
A person forces a sexual encounter by means of physical and psychological manipulation

The sexual crime defense lawyers at Carlson Meissner & Hayslett know how investigators prove their cases and have successfully defended our clients in numerous complex cases.

Types of Sexual Offenses in Florida

Various sexual offenses are classified under state laws as misdemeanors or felonies. The criminal defense attorneys at Carlson Meissner & Hayslett are prepared to defend you against all types of sexual crime charges in Florida, including:

Sexual battery
Sexual assault
Statutory rape

Prostitution
Solicitation
Possession of child pornography

Child molestation
Indecent exposure
Sexual misconduct

The sexual crime defense attorneys at Carlson Meissner & Hayslett have a record of obtaining “not guilty” verdicts in several cases. Under state and federal law, you have rights limiting how the police can investigate an alleged crime. We can challenge the prosecution’s theories to show that they failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Penalty for Florida Sexual Crime Charges

Anyone charged with a crime in Florida is “presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” Considering this, where sexual crimes are concerned, you may feel like you have the burden of proof for your innocence. The fact that Florida has one of the harshest punishments in the country doesn’t help matters. For these reasons, you should have seasoned criminal defense lawyers from Carlson Meissner & Hayslett, who will use every defense strategy in the law book to protect your rights. The penalty will depend on the nature of the offense, prior criminal history, and the number of charges. Potential punishments generally include:

Jail or prison
Fines
Mandatory counseling
Community service
Probation
Sex offender registration
Indefinite civil commitment
House arrest

Potential Defenses in Florida Sexual Criminal Cases

Defendants are innocent until proven guilty from a constitutional standpoint. Florida has a unique approach to sex crimes since public perception and laws favor the accuser (victim). One of the best ways of defending a sexual crime case in Florida is to mount a powerful offense.

The criminal defense attorneys at Carlson Meissner & Hayslett will work hard to gather exculpatory evidence supporting your innocence. At the same time, we will challenge the credibility, integrity, and motives of the accuser and the prosecutors. Most sex crimes in Florida are tried in state courts.

Moreover, where multiple states and severe crimes are involved, your persecution may fall under federal jurisdiction. For instance, if you cross state lines to engage in a sexual act with a minor, it will be treated as a federal sex crime. Title 18 of the United States Code outlines the sex crimes that fall under federal jurisdiction.

Sex Offender Registry in Florida

The requirement to register as a sex offender is one of the most severe and complex penalties for sexual offenses. There is a long list of consequences associated with sex crime convictions that go beyond jail time. You need an excellent criminal defense attorney that helps you avoid getting on the sex offender registry. In addition, an experienced attorney should be able to help you get off the list if you were convicted of a sex crime.

Our Criminal Defense Attorneys will Fight to Win a Favorable Outcome

If you were charged with a sexual offense in Florida, your most crucial move could be signing up with the experienced Tampa sexual crime attorneys at Carlson Meissner & Hayslett. Our capable and committed attorneys are prepared to use our experience, knowledge, and resources to protect your rights and aggressively defend you in court. We will provide you with a free case evaluation. Call us today at 877-728-9653 or reach us online.