Sex Crime Defense Attorney in Tampa
Let our Tampa sex offense lawyers
start working on your case NOW
In Florida, sex crimes and allegations of related misconduct are reviewed and handled by courts at the state and federal levels. These types of criminal allegations can damage your reputation severely and can greatly impact on your financial status, assets and life in general. Charges may include human trafficking, sex offender register violations, battery or violence, rape, cases involving child pornography and even cases where death has taken place. If you’ve been accused of a sex offense, your freedom may be in jeopardy. Immediately seek counsel from an experienced sex crimes lawyer in Tampa after you’re arrested, or even if you believe you might be the target of a criminal investigation. Complicated criminal cases require high levels of attentiveness and expertise, and the federal defense attorneys at Joffe Law, P.A. have decades of experience successfully defending such cases.
Child pornography charges
Sexual crimes against children carry heavy penalties and may be handled at both state and federal levels. Child pornography is defined as any material that exploits children for sexual purposes. Sexual crimes of this nature include the possession, exchange or involvement of any kind, in illegal activity related to child pornography. Possessing, viewing, or exchanging illegal pornographic images, videos or material can lead to serious charges. When suspected child pornography crimes are suspected, individuals may be pursued aggressively by local, Florida, and federal officials. This means that sting operations take place more often than many people realize. In these sting operations, federal agents or local law enforcement officers pose as people looking to obtain illegal pornographic images with the sole purpose of taking perpetrators into custody to face strict sentences with severe penalties. Because of the presence of online pedophiles and long-time child pornography rings, some individuals are sent malware with pornographic images that they did not even intend to receive. Possession or distribution of child pornography is a serious federal crime. Allegations, even if proven false, can have a permanent negative impact on the reputation of the accused, making your choice of Tampa sex crime defense attorney even more critical.
Do not say anything that might incriminate you. Speak with an attorney first.
Sexual battery
Assault and battery charges may be used interchangeably, though they are in fact, totally different charges. Assault refers to the threat of harm while the term battery refers to actual physical harm that has taken place. Sexual battery can include multiple forms of criminal sexual interaction and generally refers to an act of forcible unwanted contact. This may include any type of unwanted contact that is either violent or non-violent. If actual unwanted physical sexual contact has been made, battery charges are possible. This can include charges of rape or unwanted assault. Under federal law, crimes of sexual battery may carry multiple charge counts and be prosecuted severely. Charges often are paired with other charges such as assault, groping, battery, assault, and rape. If you have been accused of federal sexual battery, your case can be prosecuted at both federal and state levels. Consequently, you may receive multiple counts of the same charge. Sentencing for sexual battery is almost always severe and can carry penalties including long prison sentences and being made to register as a lifelong sex offender.
Human trafficking
Florida is a hub of international trade. Over the past few decades, it has also become a central part of the sex trade industry. With sex or human trafficking gaining attention nationwide, officials in Florida have made this type of federal crime a top priority. Individuals may be charged with human trafficking if they knowingly transport, harbor, solicit, recruit, trade, obtain, maintain, or exploit another person either commercially or privately for financial gain. Human trafficking is defined as transporting people illegally from one place to another for forced labor or sexual exploitation. However, having anything to do with any number of human trafficking-related activities may lead to serious federal charges. This means that anyone who has involvement, even unknowingly, in activities related to human trafficking, may face serious charges followed by severe consequences. If you have been contacted by federal officials due to human trafficking-related activity or if you suspect that allegations related to human trafficking may be raised against you, we advise you to contact an experienced federal Tampa sex crimes defense lawyer as soon as possible. Whether you are guilty or not, human trafficking allegations should be taken very seriously.
Rape
This is a broad term that can cover a large number of criminal activities. In Florida, any individual who either anally, orally or vaginally penetrates another individual without the express consent of that individual, may be charged with rape. Non-consensual penetration may be accompanied by a wide array of other charges including assault, sexual assault, sexual battery, statutory rape and more. If an alleged victim is under the age of 12, lack of consent is automatically decided and implied by law. Rape is classified as a assault statute. If assault is committed on federal property or in an area where the federal government has jurisdiction such as maritime jurisdiction, in a U.S. territory, or when crossing federal borders, federal prosecution will automatically occur. Federal charges of sexual assault typically carry more severe penalties that state sexual assault charges.
Date rape
Date rape is defined as rape that has been committed by the date of the defendant. This can include assault that has been committed in both long- and short-term relationships. These cases are complex and usually lack third-party witness testimony.
Prostitution
Prostitution involves the exchange of sexual services or engaging in sexual activity for financial gain. Solicitation is the offering of money in exchange for services that are sexual in nature. Prostitution and solicitation charges are taken seriously in Florida.
There are eight different acts that could carry charges of prostitution in Florida, including:
- operating or owning a prostitution-related business, performing sexual acts in exchange for money;
- offering a residence for prostitution acts to take place;
- aiding in the transport of a person for prostitution-related acts;
- scheduling an appointment to engage in or prostitute;
- asking another person to become a prostitute or engage in prostitution;
- entering a brothel or place where prostitution is taking place;
- and knowingly hiring someone who engages in prostitution activities.
Why should I retain a sex crime lawyer near me?
Having an experienced, local Tampa sex offense attorney on your side can make all of the difference in your unique case. If you believe that you may be facing sex crime allegations, the sooner you obtain legal representation, the better. Your defense lawyer will be able to hear out your side of the story and assist you in defending your rights and freedoms, and may be able to help you form a mitigation strategy, review available evidence and more. Joffe Law, P.A. in Tampa is ready to help you decide what your best next move should be.