What Happens to Sex Offenders in Florida?
Attorney King has counseled many clients on the intricacies of sex crimes defense as they face a wide variety of potential sentences, some reasonable and many unreasonable. Not only are most sex crimes felony offenses that come with lengthy prison sentences, but the stigma of being labeled a sexual offender could also be arguably worse than the threat of prolonged incarceration.
Restrictions on your choice of housing, employment, and travel can seriously impact your daily life following incarceration. Further, if you have been convicted of a serious offense and are forced to register as a sex offender, you will be constantly monitored by law enforcement, and your photo, address, and details of your offense will be posted on the internet by various databases.
Additionally, if you are sentenced to prison for a sex-related offense, before being released you could face civil commitment under Florida Statutes Section 394.912, commonly referred to as the Jimmy Ryce Act. The Ryce Act is a statutory scheme where you can be committed indefinitely, post-incarceration, to a state institution while being forced to undergo psychosexual therapy. This consequence alone makes a sex allegation very serious in the state of Florida.
Your best defense against any sex crime accusation is to obtain legal representation immediately. The long-term consequences of a sex crime conviction are severe, and early involvement by an experienced West Palm Beach sex crime lawyer like Nellie King is recommended to ensure that all your rights are protected and your charges handled fairly. If you have not yet been arrested and are under investigation, contact the firm before contacting the police so that you can receive the benefit of early representation.
Sex crime accusations sometimes occur in the context of an ongoing divorce, out of anger or spite, or when there are other issues occurring within a family setting. There have been numerous reported cases of false allegations of sexual abuse, particularly when law enforcement employs poor investigation techniques that taint the interview process. Attorney King has handled cases involving false reports before and understands the stress associated with a false accusation against you.
There are several crimes that fall under the category of sexual offenses. Attorney Nellie L. King can represent you if you are facing arrest or accusation for:
If you have been arrested or are under investigation for a sex-related offense, you may believe that speaking with the police will aid in your effort to clear your name. You may also believe you are obligated to talk to law enforcement. However, the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees your right to remain silent, and you have absolutely no obligation to speak to the police.
In fact, speaking with anyone other than your lawyer can have negative long-term consequences, as everything you say may be used against you in court. Namely, law enforcement commonly will set up controlled phone calls to entice you into making potentially incriminating statements.
So, instead of talking about the allegations with law enforcement, immediately contact a West Palm Beach Sex Crime Lawyer to represent you. You have the right to speak to an attorney and should always exercise this right before speaking to the police, especially if the allegations are completely false.
While one of the severe penalties mentioned earlier is the requirement to register as a sex offender, Florida passed the “Romeo and Juliet” law to address concerns about high school age youth being labeled as sexual offenders or sexual predators after engaging in consensual sexual relationships. The stigma and consequences that come with that registration have lifelong consequences that affect things such as an alleged offender’s future employment opportunities, ability to attend their child’s school functions, and where they can live. The Romeo and Juliet Exception removes the requirement to register as a sexual offender or predator under special circumstances, and those who qualify can file a motion or petition in state court for removal of the registration requirement if they meet certain criteria.
When it comes to sex crimes, there is no one-size-fits-all piece of evidence that will be able to defend against an accusation. Every sex crime case is unique and will require its own investigation to identify what will be most effective in defending the accused. However, some types of evidence are commonly used in sex crime cases, which include:
When you’re facing sex crime charges, it’s important to have an experienced and aggressive attorney on your side. Here are some of the qualities you should look for in a West Palm Beach sex crimes attorney:
Sex crimes are different from every other type of criminal charge. Being accused of a sex crime is a very serious situation because of the lengthy prison and probation penalties a conviction carries, as well as the damage it will do to your reputation if you are required to register as a sexual offender or sexual predator.
Public reaction to those charged with sex crimes creates a complicated legal situation because the case is often driven by emotions, rather than by facts. Bias against the accused is common in these cases. However, a good attorney like Nellie L. King has the background, experience, and professionalism necessary to dispel the frenzy surrounding this process and litigate the issues at hand to help protect your future.
Attorney Nellie L. King is an aggressive West Palm Beach attorney with years of experience in sex crimes defense. There are several different forms of sex crimes, from child internet pornography to prostitution, from rape to criminal sexual contact.
If you are facing arrest or prosecution for a sex offense in West Palm Beach, FL, your focus should be on obtaining the legal assistance required to handle the upcoming days, weeks, and even months. Attorney King will work one-on-one with you to thoroughly analyze your case, evaluate the evidence against you, and work aggressively to map out a personalized and tenacious defense framed around the specific facts of your situation.
She will work with you one-on-one to develop a personalized strategy based on your individual situation, and she can argue for a range of outcomes, such as lower sentencing or removal from the sexual offender registry.
As Attorney King gets to know your side of the story and understands you on a more personal level, she can better assess the circumstances of your case and determine whether you could be eligible under the Romeo and Juliet Exception, should you be required to register.