Statutory rape involves young or mentally disabled persons that have been taken advantage of sexually by someone older than the age of 18. Losing your freedom for a period of 40 year to life is a mandatory penalty for a person convicted of repeated felony statutory rape in Florida. If you are accused of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, and you do not seek immediate help from a serious and aggressive criminal defense attorney, you risk facing jail or prison, high fines and having to register for life as a sexual offender.
Prison Terms for Statutory Rape
Florida laws are complex, but minimum prison terms are set forth in the Florida sex crime statutes to punish those convicted of statutory rape:
- Statutory rape in Florida is a second degree felony punishable by 15 years in prison.
- A life sentence, or from 15 to 40 years in prison faces habitual felony rape offenders.
- If someone dies as a result of the felony rape act, the Florida death penalty may apply.
The seriousness of this sex crime charge applies even to the innocent defendant who may have been coerced into having sex with a minor or otherwise tricked by a law enforcement investigator in a sex crime sting or a prostitute.
Call Before You Speak To Anyone
You can jeopardize your case merely by speaking to the wrong people. Trickery, deceit, lies and shrewd tactics are commonly used by law enforcement in their quest to attain a conviction. Hollow promises of leniency are made to coerce information that in fact will be used to your detriment. Call for expert legal representation from Musca Law in Miami, Orlando, Tampa or Jacksonville before you speak with anyone about an alleged statutory rape incident.
Statutory Rape Consequences
If you are accused of statutory rape, the state will not hesitate to use all available resources to attain a conviction. You can be tricked and so can your accusers. Young children may be tainted by leading questions that are designed to support the state’s case. A youthful consensual act may be regretted by a younger participant who later plays the rape card to get themselves out of trouble with parents and elders. If convicted of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, you face a lifetime of problems.
- Employment opportunities will be restricted, as will where you may live, work, play or travel.
- You will need to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life and do it on time or face going to prison.
- You will be required to surrender your ID or driver’s license and only carry one that identifies you as a sexual predator or offender.
- Everyone will know what you did because you will be listed on the Florida Sex Offender List on the internet.
- If you are incarcerated, know that other prisoners do not treat statutory rapists kindly.
Protection of rights and an assumption of innocence are afforded everyone regardless of guilt. A truly innocent defendant may be at a higher risk because he is unaware of laws that he might have violated. Do not let ignorance of the law or unwise statements put you behind bars for decades of your life. Call the criminal defense lawyers at Musca Law Firm immediately. Use the website contact form or call on our toll-free telephone number. Your freedom, your reputation and your future are all at stake.
