Walton County Sexual Battery Lawyer

Florida state and local prosecutors do not take sexual battery crimes lightly, and they pursue convictions aggressively. If you’ve been charged in a sex-related case, you may want to consider your legal options. 

If you have been charged with a sex crime, you must immediately contact a Walton County sexual battery lawyer. The experienced legal counsel at Florida Criminal Defense Legal Group will fight to minimize the charges you face. Failing to act could impact you for the remainder of your life.

When law enforcement officer arrives at the scene, they may make certain assumptions based on what they’ve seen. Although sex crimes are horrible, being wrongfully accused of one can also be devastating. 

Sexual Battery Data

Sex crimes happen to one in three women. However, being wrongfully accused of sexual abuse can lead to being falsely labeled as a sexual predator or being guilty of a sexual offense. Sex crime charges can follow you for the rest of your life. 

Most acts of sexual battery are committed by someone known to the victim. This may be a friend, colleague, or family member they know. Women do commit sexual assault, but more than 90% of people who commit sexual assault are men.

Lewd and Lascivious Conduct

A criminal charge for lewd or lascivious battery occurs when someone commits an act that is licentious, unchaste, or wicked. Legally it refers to sexual activity with a child under 16 but older than 12. 

On the other hand, lewd or lascivious molestation acts is a term that refers to unlawfully touching a child under the age of 16 in a sexually inappropriate manner. This is differentiated from rape or sexual assault because it is deemed consensual between the parties involved.

Walton County lewd and lascivious sex-related crime is punished in ranges from prison time to sex offender registration. The severity of the penalties will depend on the defendant’s age and the victim at the time of the offense. 

Understanding the distinctions involved can be difficult. However, a Walton County sexual battery defense lawyer for lewd or lascivious molestation battery can help clear things up. 

What is Sexual Battery?

According to Florida Statute. 794.011, sexual battery, more commonly known as rape, is defined as oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object.  This does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose. Sexual assault encompasses sexual abuse, including sexual harassment, molestation, and rape. 

Types of Sexual Battery

There are different types of sexual battery. The sex crimes levied in charges against the sexual offender will depend on the factors involved in the sexual charge. Was there a bodily injury? Was force or a deadly weapon present? Generally, the types of sexual battery include:

Sexual harassment is non-consensual conduct relating to sex. This may include verbal, physical, and written sexual misconduct. Unwanted advances and disparaging sexual jokes are considered sexual harassment as well. 

Rape and attempted rape are considered a type of sexual battery. Also, any non-consensual or sexual physical touches, regardless of where it is on the body.  Coercing a victim into touching you or engaging in sexual activity can be considered sexual battery. 

Any instance of force in a non-consensual sexual context or any sexual act that occurs while a victim was unable to give consent can be considered sexual battery. Sexual assault also covers sexual intimidation, like stalking or threatening to commit an unwanted sexual act against a victim. Indecent exposure is also a form of sexual assault and punishable under the law.

If you’ve been wrongfully accused of sex crimes, contact a Florida criminal defense attorney immediately. Your criminal defense law firm can advocate for you with law enforcement, protect you from sex crime charges, and help you build your sex crime defense. 

Penalties For Sexual Battery in Walton County

Being convicted of sex crimes in Florida means facing severe penalties. The penalties for sexual abuse may be a first-degree felony, second-degree felony,  or third-degree felony. These penalties may also include incarceration and mandatory registration as a sex offender. 

Law enforcement officials will rally for harsher prison sentences in the following circumstances:

• The victim is a minor
• There are multiple perpetrators involved
• There was force or threat of violence used
• The offender has other sex crime convictions and charges
• The victim dies in the act 

Each sexual offense carries a mandatory prison sentence and mandatory registration as a sex offender for life in Florida. Sexual battery offenders risk being sentenced to civil confinement for the rest of their lives. You must seek legal protection if you’ve been charged with sex crimes. 

Adults who commit child molestation or sexual abuse against a victim younger than 12 can be punished with a fine, life in prison, or both. Perpetrators will be required to serve a minimum of 25 years before being eligible for parole, and in some cases, they can be penalized by death. 

If a minor commits a sexual crime against a victim under the age of 12, they are also guilty of a felony. This punishment can include a fine and a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison.

Penalties for sexual assaults where both parties are over the legal age of 18 include a fine and up to 30 years in prison. These charges require the circumstances of victims being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated or offenders using threats or violence to intimidate the victim.

How Can an Attorney Help?

If accused of sexual battery, it is important to retain qualified and experienced legal defense. An experienced sexual abuse attorney can review the facts of your case and determine if you have been wrongfully accused. They will be able to sit down with you, discuss this very difficult situation, and give you candid advice about how to proceed. 

Whom you choose as your Walton County criminal defense can directly impact the outcome of your case. The adept attorneys at Florida Criminal Defense Legal Group will fight to keep your name out of the sex offender registry and serve as your law firm in court. 

They can advocate as your criminal defense attorney in negotiations with the prosecution. They’ll also make sure that as your criminal defense lawyer, they help you understand the charges you’re facing as you attempt to maintain your innocence. 

Your sex crimes lawyer can provide a free consultation while you decide if you need an attorney. Defending yourself in criminal court can be troublesome. Hiring an attorney may be one of the best steps you make towards clearing your good name.