Longwood Sex Crime Lawyer

Longwood Sex Crime Attorney

Being accused of a sex crime can be devastating. Sex crime convictions carry severe penalties as well as social stigma that may drastically change your personal and professional life. It is important to contact a Longwood sex crime lawyer for legal guidance and representation. No one should face these charges alone.

At Robert B. Fisher, P.A., we are committed to helping you. I have 45 years of experience representing clients throughout Seminole County. As a former prosecutor, Mr. Fisher is prepared to examine all angles of your case and craft a defense strategy to help you. Our team has extensive experience with the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Courts that oversee charges in Longwood and understands how they approach these cases.

Sex Crimes in Longwood

Longwood has a current population of 17,089 and has experienced a 33.4% reduction in crime over the last year. It is a reasonably safe place to live, but crimes still happen. When someone is charged with a sex crime, specifically, they must battle public stigma and face shame in such a small community. Sex crimes in Longwood include:

• Sexual battery. Florida law states that sexual battery occurs when an offender’s sexual organs or any other object are used to penetrate a victim via oral, anal, or vaginal entry. Depending on the age and the mental capacity of the victim, sexual battery can be charged as a first-degree, life, or capital felony.
• Lewd or lascivious battery. Involves engaging in sexual activity with someone older than 12, but less than 16 years of age. If the offender is less than 18 years old, then it is a second-degree felony; if older than 18, the offender can face first-degree penalties.
• Internet or cybersex crimes. These can include possession of child pornography or engaging in cybersex with a minor. These crimes carry heavy penalties, and Florida has special task forces that actively monitor for inappropriate interactions with minors, like the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces.

Our firm provides criminal defense for these and other sex crimes in Longwood. Each offense is unique and requires the skills of a knowledgeable sex crime lawyer to develop a strong defense.

Foregoing retaining a criminal defense attorney can be a huge mistake and leave you open to harsh penalties and collateral consequences that will have a lasting effect on your personal and professional life.  Don’t hesitate to hire a sex crime lawyer to provide aggressive legal aid.

Former Prosecutor

Call 407-389-4529 or contact the office online to schedule your initial consultation.

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Consequences of Sex Crime Conviction in Florida – How We Can Defend Against The Charges

Being convicted of a sex crime in Florida can be devastating, turning your world upside down. Some offenses, like sexual battery of a minor under 12, may result in life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Florida is known for being tough on sex crimes.

Other consequences of engaging in a sex crime include mandatory sex offender registration, loss of some of your constitutional rights (carry firearms, right to vote, parental rights), limits restricting where you can live and work, and ongoing monitoring.

A sex crimes defense lawyer can help you get the most favorable outcome for your case. By having a skilled attorney at your side like Robert B. Fisher, you have a higher likelihood of having your charges dismissed, having less serious penalties, or receiving a lesser conviction.

As a former prosecutor, Mr. Fisher knows how to detect weaknesses in their case against you and leverage that in your favor. Potential defenses to sex crimes include:

• False accusations. False accusations of sex crimes do happen, mainly in cases when the victim is trying to retaliate against you or to have leverage over you. A lawyer will help investigate and uncover the truth about what occurred and seek justice for you.
• Mistaken identity. If you were wrongly accused due to mistaken identity, your lawyer will find evidence to prove your innocence. This can include surveillance footage, an alibi, and witness statements.
• Consent. This is a sound defense for sex crimes when the accused agreed to the sexual act and was able to give consent at the time of the act.
• Mishandling of evidence. Evidence is a critical part of proving guilt in a sex crime. When law enforcement mishandles evidence or doesn’t follow proper procedures when collecting and testing DNA evidence, it can lead to false accusations.

These defenses can help reduce your charges or result in your case being dismissed altogether.

FAQs

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Sex Crimes in Florida?

The statute of limitations for sex crimes in Florida varies depending on the specifics of the offense. For sexual battery, there is no time limitation if the offense is a first or second-degree felony committed against a victim who is 16 or older. Other crimes, like lewd or lascivious offenses, have a three-year time limit to file. It is advised to consult with a Longwood sex crimes lawyer if you are concerned about cases being opened against you.

Can You Appeal a Sex Crime in Longwood?

Yes, you can appeal a sex crime conviction with the help of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Your attorney can help you file an appeal within 30 days of sentencing. Grounds for an appeal are improper evidence or legal mistakes. These appeals are often made to a higher court, like the District Court of Appeal.

What Are the Eight Types of Sex Crimes?

Sex crimes are offenses of a sexual nature that are committed without consent or against protected persons. Eight types of sex crimes are rape, incest, sex trafficking, indecent exposure, child pornography, cyberharassment, sexual battery, and child molestation. Consent is the biggest element in most sex crimes; if the victim cannot freely give consent, then the act is considered illegal.

How Can a Sex Crime Lawyer Help if I Have Been Charged?

A sex crime lawyer can help provide you with an aggressive defense strategy to avoid convictions after being charged with a sex crime. Your attorney can help with communications with law enforcement and the prosecution, protecting your rights throughout the course of your case. A lawyer can help prevent you from false accusations that could lead to convictions.

Hire a Sex Crime Lawyer

Our team, with Robert B. Fisher, P.A., is dedicated to providing you with a defense to help challenge the most troubling of sex crimes. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.