A sex crime is a criminal offense that involves a sexual component, and being charged with a sex crime is extremely serious. The first thing you should do when facing a sex crime charge or even when you suspect you may be facing one is to reach out to an aggressive and experienced Orlando criminal defense attorney. Regardless of the case’s outcome, being associated with a sex crime in any way may have irreversible consequences, damaging your reputation and livelihood.
How is a sex crime defined?
Any offense that includes a sexual component is considered a sex crime. A sexual component means that the crime involves a sexual act or the genitals of the offender or the victim. Since these crimes are considered extremely serious, the penalties associated with them are also quite severe.
There are many different types of sex crimes, with penalties depending on the type of sex crime in question.
What penalties are attached to sex crime convictions?
There are many penalties associated with being charged with a sex crime. These include the following:
Designation as a Sex Offender
Being charged with a sex crime means you will be labeled a sex offender, and you will have to comply with sex offender registration laws in your state and the United States. As a sex offender, you must update your residence with the proper authorities every three to six months for the rest of your life.
Incarceration
Every felony offense that is sexually related carries a mandatory prison sentence.
Sex Offender Probation
Anyone who has been convicted of a sexually related felony offense is placed on Sex Offender probation. In short, it means that you will face restrictions as to where you can live, you will have to adhere to a curfew, you will have to attend mandatory sex offender counseling, and you will face restrictions where you are allowed to work.
“Jimmy Ryce” Civil Commitment Proceedings
Suppose you have been convicted of a sexually-related crime. In that case, the State Attorney can have you committed to a civil commitment facility once you have completed a portion of your criminal prison sentence. This process means a person can be locked up even after completing their criminal sentence.
Are there any specific penalties associated with different types of sex crimes?
Although sex crimes carry the penalties described above, they can also include harsher sanctions depending on the severity of the sex crime. Here are some examples:
Lewd or Lascivious Battery
If you get convicted of lewd or lascivious battery, you may face a prison sentence of between 7 and 15 years. These offenses include:
- Lewd or Lascivious Conduct
- Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition
- Molestation or sexual touching of a child
Rape and Sexual Battery
This sex crime carries some of the most extreme penalties in Florida. Depending on the victim, whoever is convicted of rape or sexual battery will face a prison sentence of between 9 years and life in prison.
Unlawful Sex with Minors and Statutory Rape
Being charged with statutory rape or unlawful sexual activity with a minor means you might be facing a prison sentence of between 5 and 15 years.
Get Legal Help Right Away
Sex crime convictions seem to be increasing, but the number of individuals mistakenly accused of having committed a sex crime is also rising. If this has happened to you, you must get an experienced sex crimes attorney working for you. This charge constitutes a tremendous risk, and you have a right to defend yourself from any accusations.
