Facing charges for sexual assault? You’ll want an experienced South Florida sex crime lawyer on your side.
Florida is one of the toughest states when it comes to sex crimes, imposing the strictest penalties and sentences. If you’ve been accused of a sex crime, our sex crimes lawyers at GMV Law Group will defend you. We will protect your rights during the legal process and work to defend your reputation.
Contact us today to learn how we can help!
Understanding Sex Crime Charges in South Florida
Sexually crime charges in South Florida may result in criminal convictions that carry hefty penalties and lengthy prison sentences. Furthermore, you will also be required to register as a sexual offender in Florida.
This information is public and visible to family, friends, employers, neighbors, and any other person of interest. It’s for this reason that you should seek the advice of a sex crimes lawyer.
Common Types of Sex Crimes
‘Sex crime’ is an umbrella term that’s applied to any criminal act that involves sexual activity. The crimes under this term include:
- Sexual Misconduct: It refers to when the government alleges that you were in a position of trust and had a sexual relationship with a vulnerable person, which is against the law.
- Child Molestation: It is unlawful to intentionally touch a minor below 16 years of age in a lewd or lascivious manner on the breasts, buttocks, genitals, or clothes covering these areas.
- Rape: Sometimes referred to as sexual battery or sexual assault and it is the unlawful act of genital, anal, or oral penetration without consent.
- Indecent Exposure: You could be charged with the sex crime of indecent exposure after indecently showing your sexual organs in a public place or another person’s property.
- Possession of Child Pornography: It is a crime to produce, possess, or distribute an image of a minor engaged in sexual activity.
Steps to Take After Being Charged with a Sex Crime in South Florida
If you are charged with a sex crime in Florida, you should do the following:
Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent
Exercise your right to remain silent when accused of a sex crime. Anything that you say can be used against you, which is why you must never discuss the case or provide any statements without the presence of your lawyer.
Seek Legal Representation
One of the most important steps you should take is to hire an experienced sex crimes lawyer such as those at GMV Law who will protect your rights, guide you through the legal process, and build a strong defense tailored to your unique circumstances.
Preserve All Evidence
You should preserve any evidence that supports your innocence to strengthen your defense. This evidence may include emails, text messages, or any other form of communication that could be relevant to your case.
Adhere to All Court Orders and Legal Procedures
To avoid any additional legal complications, you should comply with all court orders and legal procedures. Not complying may result in severe consequences that impact your defense in a negative way. It’s also important to diligently follow all instructions from the court and your lawyer.
How GMV Law Group Can Defend Your Rights
The expertise of an experienced lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. The experienced South Florida sex crime lawyers at GMV Law Group can help defend your rights in the following ways:
- Help You Understand Complex Laws: Florida’s sex crimes and penalties can be confusing at times. Our experienced sex crime lawyers stay up to date on the latest statutes, protocols, and precedents.
- Help You Navigate the Legal System: Our sex crime lawyers know how to work with law enforcement, negotiate with the prosecution, and effectively try your case in court if necessary. Their experience will save you time, guesswork, and frustration.
- Developing Effective Defenses: You might be surprised to learn that there are actually good defenses to Florida sex crime charges, but it usually takes an experienced lawyer to identify them. Our lawyers will thoroughly examine the evidence to build the strongest defense.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sex Crimes
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about sex crimes in Florida:
How long do I have to respond to sex crime charges?
Ideally, you should respond to sex crime charges immediately after you are charged. However, you must never do so before you consult a lawyer. Fortunately, most sex crime lawyers, including GMV Law Group offer a free consultation where you can discuss the specifics of your case and how best to respond.
What are the penalties for sex crimes in Florida?
Unlike other states, Florida has some of the harshest penalties and jail times when it comes to sex crimes. Penalties depend on prior criminal history, the nature of the offense committed, and the charges faced by the defendant. Possible penalties include:
- Sex offender registration
- Jail or prison time
- Fines
- Probation
- Indefinite civil commitment
- House arrest
- Community service
- Mandatory counseling.
How Much Does a Sex Crime Lawyer Cost?
Cost is obviously a factor when choosing which sex crime lawyer to hire. You deserve to know what the potential costs are likely to be so that you can make an informed decision. GMV Law Group will give you all information regarding the costs involved in defending your case.
When Should I Contact a Lawyer After Being Charged with a Sex Crime?
You should ideally contact a sex crime lawyer in South Florida at the first sign that you are under investigation or suspected of any type of sex crime. You can and should consider hiring a lawyer even before the charges have been filed.
Our sex crime lawyers at GMV Law Group can help protect you against illegal and unreasonable searches and seizures, as well as self-incrimination, and help build the strongest defense possible before taking the matter to court.
What Evidence is Important in a Sex Crime Case?
If you’re facing a sex crime charge in Florida, you deserve to know what physical or digital evidence may be given in the case against you. Here are some of the most important types of evidence in Florida sex crime cases:
- Physical evidence: It includes clothing, DNA samples, and other items that may have been left or touched at the scene.
- Witness Statements: If there were witnesses to the sex crime you are charged with, their statements can be valuable evidence.
- Medical Records: If the alleged victim sought medical attention after the sex crime, their medical records can provide evidence of the crime and any injuries sustained.
- Emails, Text Messages, and other Digital Evidence: If there’s evidence of communication between you and the alleged victim, these messages can be valuable evidence.
- Surveillance Footage: If the sex crime occurred in a public place, there may be surveillance footage that can help in identifying the perpetrator.
Why Choose GMV Law Group for Sex Crime Defense?
If you’ve been charged with a sex crime in South Florida, you should call the sex crime lawyers at GMV Law Group today. We’re ready to put our experience to good use for you. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose GMV Law Group for sex crime defense:
- Track record of success
- Extensive experience defending those accused of sex crimes
- Commitment to delivering aggressive advocacy
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Thousands of cases handled.
Contact the Sex Crime Lawyers at GMV Law Group Today
South Florida residents charged with sex crime face serious charges with long-lasting consequences. If you find yourself being investigated for, or charged with a sex crime, you should contact the experienced sex crime lawyers at GMV Law Group to ensure that your case has the best outcome possible.
