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Sex crimes are some of the most stigmatized criminal charges. Whether someone is convicted of a minor offense or a major felony, the consequences of a conviction will most likely follow them for life. A conviction may prevent you from gaining employment and the charge can impact where you can live and your personal relationships. Even if you are innocent and acquitted, you should not take an accusation lightly; it can permanently alter your reputation. That said, you should still hold on to hope and connect with a lawyer to defend you.
When you face a sex offense charge, you have options. Our team has experience in developing sex crimes defense strategies in St. Petersburg and does not shy away from difficult cases. Our dedicated sex crimes attorneys could craft an effective strategy, protect your rights, ensure that you receive a fair process, and review the evidence against you to determine what defenses apply. If the prosecutor cannot meet their burden, we could move to dismiss the charges.
A sex crime is any criminal act involving sexual activity. Sex offenses in this state include:
State and federal officials fully prosecute sex crimes, as the state has some of the harshest penalties for sex offenders. The potential consequences of a sex crime conviction will depend on a variety of factors including the nature of the offense, the victim involved, and the offender’s criminal history. In general, someone convicted of a sex crime could face prison time, fines, community service, counseling, mandatory sex offender registration, probation, and house arrest. Be sure to consult a St. Petersburg attorney to understand the penalties associated with sex crime and the potential defense methods.
In a criminal case, defendants are innocent until proven guilty; unfortunately, those accused of sex crimes often have to work much harder to prove their innocence in court. Defending against a sex crime accusation requires evidence to prove innocence. Although there is no legal obligation to put forth a defense, sometimes the best approach is to mount a strong defense strategy. Some common defense strategies in St. Petersburg sex crime cases include:
In some cases, a sex crime allegation may be the result of a false allegation or misunderstanding, if the person accused can prove consent they can be acquitted.
When the state does not present sufficient evidence to prove their case against the accused, the prosecutor must drop or reduce the charges.
Another common defense in sex crime cases is entrapment. If the accused can demonstrate that they would not have committed the crime but for the police’s coercion, this defense tactic can be effective.
Likewise, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt all elements of the charges. Some sex crimes require evidence of intent and if there is no evidence the defendant intended to commit the offense, it must be dropped.
The constitution guarantees criminal defendants certain rights. When evidence is obtained through constitutional violations, it must be suppressed. The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unlawful searches and seizures of evidence. The police must adhere to strict protocol when collecting evidence and interviewing suspects.
An experienced criminal defense attorney will work to identify mitigating factors in your case and can advocate for dismissal or reeducation in charges if appropriate.
An allegation of sexual assault or another sex crime is understandably emotionally overwhelming. Sex offenses carry significant penalties and whether someone is ordered to register on a sex offender registry can impact their employment, personal relationships, and where they can live. In a criminal case, the accused always has the right to an attorney and to present a defense. As such, it is crucial to work with lawyers who could fight for your rights.
Our dedicated legal professionals have represented clients in all types of charges and could develop sex crimes defense strategies in St. Petersburg. Contact our office to discuss your defense.