Sex Crime Defense in Charlotte County

Charlotte County forms the Punta Gorda, FL Metropolitan area. Punta Gorda maintains a low crime rate. It is lower than about 71% of the rest of Florida and is much lower than communities with similar populations. This is less of a reflection on the numbers of crime committed as it is on the commitment of the sheriff’s office to keep the community safe. In fact, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office website even offers an event report that reflects the latest arrests in the area.

What You Are Up Against

Prosecution in Charlotte County takes all types of criminal activity very seriously. Sex crimes, however, are highly contested and do not render much grace by prosecution. In addition, even those who are simply charged will carry the stigma of being a sex crime offender among their community. This charge carries a tendency to side with the accuser and find automatic fault in the alleged offender.

Sexual Battery

Not many crimes in the Florida criminal code are considered more serious and are more fiercely prosecuted than the offense of sexual battery. Under Florida Statute § 794.011, sexual batty is the oral, anal, or vaginal penetrating of the sexual organ of another without his or her consent. Specific to the state of Florida, a conviction for sexual battery requires proof that penetration or union between the alleged perpetrator and the victim occurred.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault involves the attack of a sexual nature by one person to another. Any forced sexual activity that falls short of the classification of rape can be considered sexual assault. Just an accusation of sexual assault can harm the alleged offender’s reputation.

Lewd or Lascivious Molestation

Under Florida Statute 800.04(5), Lewd or Lascivious Molestation is the offense for consensual sexual interaction with a child who is younger than 16 that falls short of lewd or lascivious battery. This statute criminalizes the intentional touching of a child’s breasts, genitals or buttocks or encouragement of the child to touch another person in this manner.

Lewd or Lascivious Battery

Lewd or lascivious battery, frequently referred to as rape, criminalizes the act of sexual intercourse, whether consensual or rape, of a child older than 12 but younger than 16. This is a strict liability crime to counteract common defenses such as that the child’s real age was not known or that the child consented to the sexual act.

Lewd or Lascivious Conduct

Florida Statute 800.04(6) describes the crime of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct, the crime of touching a child under 16 years old in a lewd or lascivious manner. This can be charged for allegedly touching a child in a lewd manner or soliciting a child to commit a lewd or lascivious act.

You can take action against your charge!

If you or a loved one has been arrested for a sex crime in Charlotte County, Florida, you will want to work with our caring team that will fight tooth-and-nail on your behalf.

With more than 40 years of experience, we can help you avoid a tainted reputation caused by a sex crime conviction. Contact us at (800) 614-5138!