Date rape in Florida is considered a form of violent sexual battery. It is an extremely serious crime all throughout the state of Florida, but often times it is a crime that goes unheard due to the fact that it is one of the least reported crimes in the state. Fight your date rape charges with the help of a Florida date rape lawyer.
Date Rape is a Crime
In Florida, engaging in non-consensual sexual encounters with a date is indeed considered to be a crime. This includes sexual encounters through force and unwanted sexual contact as well. Date rape can occur in any number of situations. Many believe that date rape only occurs between strangers on a first date, but this is not true. Date rape can occur in a long term relationship that has lasted months or even years or in a friendly date with a coworker. The offending party can use a number of means in order to initiate sexual contact, from drugs to physical force. Date rape drugs are an all too common type of drug used to make a victim lose consciousness. These drugs make a victim unable to mentally, or physically, deny the offender, and can even lead to death of the victim if ingested in too large a quantity. Date rape can occur almost casually, without warning, or can be the result of a rejection to the offender’s sexual advances. Whatever the case may be, know that date rape is a crime, and it should be reported immediately.
The Penalties for Date Rape in Florida
There are a variety of penalties for being convicted of fate rape in the state of Florida. These penalties can be anything from a lengthy prison sentence to a large fine. If convicted of date rape, you will have to register with the state Sex Offender Registry, where citizens of the state of Florida will be able to track where you move and your current location. If the victim was under the age of twelve years old, the penalties will be increased and the charge upped to first degree felony date rape, for which there is a life sentence penalty.
If drugs were used in the perpetration of the crime, the sentence will be increased, as will the penalty. The same goes if the victim was mentally disabled, physically handicapped, violence or force were used to assert sexual will, or weapons were used to commit the crime.
Date Rape Defense in Florida
There are cases of date rape allegations being made falsely, and there are defenses to this crime as well. However there are defenses that are not usable in Florida. These include previous sexual contact with the victim, victim’s dress and the common law presumption.
Musca Law is a professional team of like-minded Florida date rape defense attorneys that are willing to fight for you, to protect your rights and see that you have proper representation if you are accused of date rape. Contact our Florida date rape defense attorneys by phone or online to have us review your case.
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