Seminole County Sex Crimes Attorneys
Dedicated Longwood Criminal Defense Services
Sex crimes in the state of Florida carry severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and registration as a sex offender. At The Law Office of David A. Webster, P.A., our Seminole County criminal defense lawyers have over 30 years of collective experience proudly representing clients in a variety of sex crime cases in Seminole, Orange, and Volusia Counties.
Call us today at 407-862-9222 for a free consultation.
Sex crimes may involve:
- Sexual assault and battery
- Rape
- Unlawful sex with minors
- Kidnapping
- Molestation
- Sexual abuse
- Indecent exposure
- Lewd and lascivious acts
The penalty for lewd and lascivious acts typically includes prison sentences of up to 15 years, and unlawful sexual acts with a minor generally incur prison sentences of five to 15 years. Sexual battery and rape charges carry harsher penalties, including a minimum of nine years up to a life sentence in prison. Other penalties involve sex offender probation, sex offender registration, and in some cases commitment to a civil commitment facility after fulfilling a criminal prison sentence.
The Florida Romeo & Juliet Law
Florida enacted the “Romeo and Juliet” Law in 2007. This law was created to provide an option for young adults, many of whom are high-school age, to avoid being labeled as dangerous sex offenders. At The Law Office of David A. Webster, P.A., our team of Seminole County criminal defense attorneys are available 24/7 to help answer your questions and discuss your options for seeking a favorable solution.
Factors to determine eligibility for the Romeo & Juliet Law include:
- The conviction was for either a lewd and lascivious offense or sexual battery
- The defendant was no more than four years older than the minor when the offense took place
- The offense involved consensual sexual conduct with a minor between the ages of 14-17 years old
- The defendant has no other sexual criminal conviction for sexual battery, lascivious exhibition using a computer, or lewd and lascivious behavior
In the end, the judge has discretion when deciding who is eligible for the Romeo and Juliet law. For a variety of sexual crime charges, we can passionately investigate the incident and work hard to defend you in court. Our Seminole County criminal defense lawyers are respected in the community and possess a thorough knowledge of federal and state laws pertaining to sex crimes.
Cases Pre 2007
If an individual was labeled a sex offender before 2007, and meets the above requirements, he or she may petition the court for removal.
Is Sexting legal in Florida?
Florida does not allow sexting by and between minors. A first violation will lead to noncriminal penalties. Prohibited acts of sexting include receiving, sending. The first violation of this act will lead to the minor receiving a noncriminal citation that outlines the following options: complete eight hours of community service, pay a $60 penalty, participate in a cyber-safety program, or contest (challenge) the citation in court. The minor has 30 days to complete one of the options.
