Category Archives: Sex Crime
Bail After a Sex Crime Arrest in Florida: What Families Should Expect
A sex crime arrest in Florida can turn your life upside down. The first question most families ask is, “Can we get our loved one out of jail while the case moves forward?” The answer is often yes, but it depends on the charge, the evidence, and how well the first hearings are handled…. Read More »
Why the Entrapment Defense Failed in a Recent Florida Traveling To Meet a Minor Trial
Traveling to meet a minor is a serious offense in Florida. Having a strong defense is vital in these cases. Often, people caught in police stings assume that entrapment as a defense will save them. However, this defense rarely works. One particular trial in Bay County shows why the entrapment defense can fail in… Read More »
What Counts as “Traveling” Under Florida’s Traveling To Meet a Minor Law?
If you have been accused of traveling to meet a minor in Florida, you may be wondering what the word “traveling” actually means under the law. Do you have to reach the meeting place? Does driving a short distance count? What if you changed your mind along the way? Florida’s law is broad, and… Read More »
Can You Challenge Sex Offender Registration After a Florida Conviction for Traveling To Meet a Minor?
A Florida conviction for traveling to meet a minor can have consequences beyond a prison sentence, including sex offender registration. Sex offender registration can affect where a person lives, travels, and works. But what happens if someone later believes the registration requirement was imposed improperly? A recent United States Court of Appeals decision offers… Read More »
What Evidence Can Prosecutors Use in a Florida Traveling To Meet a Minor Case?
Being accused of traveling to meet a minor in Florida can be overwhelming. However, just because you are accused does not mean you are guilty. The state has the burden of proving all the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Under Florida Statutes § 847.0135(4), prosecutors generally must establish that a person… Read More »
Florida Appeals Court Clarifies Double Jeopardy in Sexual Offense Cases
When someone faces multiple charges arising from the same criminal incident, double jeopardy often comes up as a big concern. The Florida Fifth District Court of Appeals recently tackled this issue in Oliver v. State, and its decision helps clarify when prosecutors can get separate convictions for sexual battery and unlawful sexual activity with… Read More »
Mistakes To Avoid When Facing Charges of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation in Florida
Facing a lewd and lascivious molestation charge in Florida can be overwhelming. If convicted, you’re looking at the possibility of lengthy prison time, lifetime sex offender registration, and serious damage to your reputation, your career, and your relationships. If you’ve been arrested or you’re being investigated, there are a few common mistakes to avoid…. Read More »
Florida Appeals Court Upholds Limited Courtroom Closure in Child Sexual Abuse Trial
Most criminal trials in Florida are open to the public, but sometimes judges need to close the courtroom, at least temporarily, to protect vulnerable people. A recent decision from Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal, Cordon v. State, explores how judges walk the line between a defendant’s rights and protecting child victims. In this… Read More »
Capital Sexual Battery vs Sexual Battery: Understanding the Difference in Florida
Florida takes sexual offense allegations very seriously. Two of the most serious charges in the state are sexual battery and capital sexual battery. Although they sound similar, the law treats these two crimes very differently with respect to the conduct involved, penalties, and sentencing. If you’re facing charges or just trying to understand Florida… Read More »
Capital Sexual Battery Charges and Jury Rights: What a Recent Florida Case Reveals
A conviction of capital sexual battery could lead to life behind bars, mandatory sex offender registration, and long-term effects on your job prospects, housing, and relationships. With so much at stake, courts carefully examine not just the evidence but also whether defendants receive all the legal protections granted by law. A recent Florida appellate… Read More »
