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Few criminal offenses are more harshly prosecuted than those involving illicit sexual behavior. Charges of this nature can have serious and lifelong implications, even if you are not convicted. Because of this, it is crucial to get legal help as soon as you are accused of committing a sex crime.
At Rossen Law Firm, we believe everyone deserves a strong defense, regardless of the type of charge you are facing. From early investigations all the way to the conclusion of a possible trial, an expert Sunrise sex crimes lawyer from Rossen Law Firm, will fight tirelessly for you. We’re in this together. Get in touch with our award-winning defense attorneys to learn more.
The phrase “sex crimes” refers to offenses that involve unlawful sexual behavior, including:
Whether a sex-based criminal offense is classified as a misdemeanor or a felony depends on what someone is accused of doing, who they are accused of doing it to, and whether they have a history of similar convictions.
For example, a nominally consensual relationship between two adults can be considered criminal sexual misconduct—a felony—if one party has a position of trust or authority over the other, such as a psychotherapist with a client or a manager with an employee. On the other hand, first offenses for prostitution are classified as first-degree misdemeanors, while subsequent convictions may be treated as felonies.
Regardless of which sex offense you are accused of, you might face prolonged and invasive investigation from police and prosecutors. Without expert lawyers from Rossen Law Firm in your corner, you could be subject to multiple rounds of interviews by law enforcement, who might also dig through your social media posts and private messages. Representation by a board-certified Sunrise sex crimes attorney is vital to ensuring investigators do not overstep what the law allows them to do and that you do not inadvertently harm your own case.
In addition to potentially serving prison time and paying thousands of dollars in fines, most people convicted of sex crimes also have to register with the state Department of Law Enforcement as sex offenders. Upon being released from incarceration, a convicted person must report to their local sheriff’s office multiple times a year and provide a host of personal details, including fingerprints, current photographs, contact information, and details about where they work and what vehicle they drive.
Even when they have completed all the other requirements of their sentence, a person registered as a sex offender in Florida will have their information openly available to prospective employers, landlords, and even members of the public. Retaining an expert local defense lawyer quickly after being accused of a sex crime can help you avoid this outcome.
There are multiple types of solicitation offenses that someone can be charged with in Florida, all of which require the help of an experienced Sunrise lawyer to fight back against. The act of solicitation occurs when one individual seeks to have another person engage in criminal conduct and instructs, induces, asks, persuades, or hires them to attempt or actually carry out that crime.
In other words, if you ask someone to commit an act that would constitute a crime and aid them in engaging or trying to engage in that conduct, you can be charged with solicitation. You can also be charged with solicitation even if that final criminal act was never committed. Usually, solicitation charges revolve around solicitation of prostitution, solicitation of a minor, and solicitation of a minor with a computer or electronic device.
A solicitation conviction can carry jail time and hefty fines. The exact penalties associated with a crime depend on the nature of the charges.
Solicitation of prostitution for a first-time offender is a first-degree misdemeanor. That would mean a conviction is punishable by up to 12 months in jail, plus other penalties such as fines. However, a second conviction for solicitation of prostitution is a third-degree felony, which escalates the associated penalties to five years behind bars and fines up to $5,000.
Solicitation of a minor over the internet is a third-degree felony. A third-degree felony in Florida carries a prison term of up to five years, plus fines of up to $5,000.
When someone is accused of traveling to meet a minor, whether within the state of across state lines, that crime becomes a second-degree felony. A second-degree felony carries a prison term of up to 15 years, plus up to $10,000 in fines. A person can also be charged for each individual act of solicitation, so if an electronic device is used for one act and not another, the accused can be charged for each separate offense.
A Sunrise attorney could evaluate all possible defenses to use against your specific solicitation charge to reduce or eliminate the potential penalties you are facing.
Sex crimes can carry consequences that extend far beyond the sanctions a court may impose after a conviction. A mere accusation could do lasting damage to your personal and professional reputation. Managing this by yourself can be practically impossible, which is why it is crucial to have the best lawyers on your side.
The help you need is available from a tenacious Sunrise sex crimes lawyer. Our award-winning team at Rossen Law Firm is prepared to fight for you and your rights. Contact us today and set up your free strategy session.
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