Miami Sex Crime Lawyer

SEX CRIME ATTORNEY IN MIAMI, FL

LEGAL ADVOCACY IN MIAMI, BROWARD & PALM BEACH COUNTIES

Crimes involving unlawful sexual activity are among the most serious you will ever face. These are crimes that carry significant criminal penalties along with the potential for mandatory sex offender registration that can restrict your life in many ways. Even the accusation of having committed a sex crime prior to any court findings can ruin your reputation and carry a grave social stigma. This stigma can follow you for years to come and cause lasting hardships.

At Prya Murad Law, PLLC, we are well aware of the gravity of sex crime allegations. We know how deeply they can impact your life and that of your family. That is why we work tirelessly to help protect you and your future and take aggressive action on your behalf. These types of crimes are often difficult to defend due to the prejudice of others. They call for a tenacious and skilled attorney who believes that you deserve the best possible defense. Our Miami sex crimes lawyer meets these requirements and will vigorously protect your rights throughout the criminal court process.

WHY YOU NEED A SEX CRIME DEFENSE ATTORNEY IN MIAMI, FL

It is crucial for anyone facing criminal charges in Miami, FL, to understand the importance of having defense counsel they can trust as their proceedings begin to unfold. This is especially true for a defendant facing charges of committing sex-related offenses, which carry some of the harshest penalties under Florida’s criminal codes. You could face not only fines, incarceration, civil liability for the victim’s damages, and various other penalties, but also compulsory long-term sex offender registration that is likely to interfere with your life in various ways.

Because of the severe consequences of a sex offense conviction, you need an attorney who will fight for you in securing the best possible result. At Prya Murad Law, PLLC, we are known for the integrity and commitment of the legal representation we bring to all clients.

Facing sex crime allegations? Don’t face an investigation or charges without experienced legal representation. Request your personal consultation with our Miami defender online or at (305) 393-0751 today. Available 24/7. Hablamos español.

SEX CRIMES IN FLORIDA

Sex crimes are based on the non-consent of the alleged victim which involves some type of unlawful sexual activity that is done for the gratification of the accused person. These crimes may or may not include force or threats of force. They can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the nature and severity of the crime. In some cases, they are considered even more severe when committed against individuals who do not have the capacity to give consent, such as children, the disabled, or the mentally incompetent. Other factors that can impact the severity of the crime include whether a deadly weapon was used and any prior criminal history of the alleged offender.

COMMON SEX CRIMES UNDER FLORIDA LAW INCLUDE:

• Indecent exposure: This is the act of exposing oneself to others, either in public or private, without the other party’s consent. Exposing oneself in public in any place where children are present is likely to qualify for felony prosecution.
• Lewd or lascivious molestation: Florida law upholds this charge for sex offenses involving victims under the age of 16. However, while adults generally face sex crime charges when they engage in nonpenetrative sexual contact with a minor, “lewd or lascivious molestation” applies when the defendant is also a minor. The age of consent to sexual activity in Florida is 18, so any type of nonpenetrative groping, touching, or other sexual contact with anyone under the age of 16 by anyone between the ages of 16 and 18 can lead to a lewd or lascivious molestation charge.
• Lewd and lascivious battery: This charge is similar to those situations involving lewd or lascivious molestation, but this charge applies to cases involving sexual penetration of any kind, regardless of the consent of the younger party. Anyone under the age of 18 charged with a sex offense in Miami needs a defense attorney experienced with juvenile criminal defense.
• Sexual battery or rape: Forcing another person to engage in unwanted sexual penetration of any kind is one of the most severe sex crimes a person can commit in Florida. This offense almost always qualifies for felony prosecution, and the defendant faces lifetime registration.
• Date rape and statutory rape: “Date rape” is the term for drugging another person’s drink for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with them while they are under the influence of the drug and unable to resist. “Statutory rape” is any sexual contact with a minor under the age of consent.
• Unlawful sexual activity with a minor: This term is typically used interchangeably with “statutory rape” and applies whenever a defendant, usually over the age of 24, engages in consensual sexual contact with a 16- or 17-year-old.
• Failure to register as a sex offender: Individuals charged with certain sex crimes must register in a publicly accessible sex offender database and remain registered as long as their sentence requires. They are also legally required to disclose their sex offender status in various other situations, and failure to do so can lead to further criminal penalties.
• Child molestation: Florida criminal prosecutors take sex crimes against children very seriously. Penalties escalate dramatically when a victim is under the age of 12 years old, with the defendant likely to face many years in state prison and lifetime sex offender status.
• Solicitation over the internet: Prostitution is illegal in Florida, and attempting to buy or sell sexual services over the internet in any way carries severe penalties.
• Revenge porn: Some couples take intimate photos and videos of themselves, but when their relationships end, there is typically a mutual expectation that any such content is either destroyed or, at the very least, kept hidden from the view of others. Publishing sexually explicit photos or videos of an ex-partner is commonly called “revenge porn” and is a prosecutable offense under Florida law.
• Prostitution and solicitation: Any form of prostitution is illegal in Florida, including “pimping” or forcing others to engage in prostitution, knowingly acting as a prostitute while having a known sexually transmitted disease, or attempting to bribe with sexual services.

A conviction can result in jail or prison time, hefty fines, and lengthy probations. Certain sex crime convictions can result in mandatory sex offender registration. The length of time for this registration will depend on the type of crime for which you have been convicted. This registration will restrict where you can live and can cause significant difficulties in getting future employment or housing. If you fail to register, you may be charged with a third-degree felony.

BUILDING YOUR DEFENSE AGAINST SEX CRIMES IN MIAMI, FL

If you have recently been arrested for any sex-related criminal offense in the Miami area, it is very easy to feel isolated, as if the criminal justice system is conspiring to ensure you face the worst possible penalties. You may have more defenses available to you than you initially realize, especially if you have been wrongfully accused of a crime you did not commit or you unwittingly engaged in a sex offense under Florida law.

Some sex crime cases arise from false allegations. For example, an ex-partner may accuse another of sexual battery out of spite or in an attempt to diminish their reputation and cause other harm. It’s also possible for someone to become entangled in a sex crime suit without knowing they did anything wrong, such as having consensual sex with someone who told them they were over the age of 18 but, in fact, were younger.

When a defendant has broken the law and committed a sex crime in Florida, the state imposes very harsh penalties based on the scope and severity of the offense. However, the most important factor in most sex crime cases is the age of the victim. Any defendant accused of committing a sex crime of any kind involving minors faces severe penalties and long-term sex offender registration.

If a prosecutor has more than enough evidence to secure a conviction, it’s possible for them to extend a plea deal to the defendant. If the defendant agrees to plead guilty, the prosecutors lower their charges and/or lighten their sentence in exchange. Miami prosecutors commonly offer plea deals to first-time offenders and those charged with nonviolent offenses, and they are rarely extended in sex crime cases. If a sex crime involves substantial harm to the victim, it’s likely the prosecution will seek the maximum allowable penalty under Florida law. The defendant will also face liability for civil damages the victim incurred.

FIND YOUR MIAMI SEX CRIME DEFENSE ATTORNEY NOW

Time is a critical concern after any arrest, especially when a defendant is charged with serious sex crimes. After arrest and booking, you have the right to make a few phone calls, and you should reach out to a Miami sex crimes attorney you can trust with your defense. Attorney Prya Murad has years of professional experience representing defendants charged with sex offenses in the Miami, FL, area. Our team knows how local prosecutors tend to handle these cases and the tactics they typically use to secure convictions. We also know the common obstacles and opportunities facing defendants in these cases.

It’s natural to worry about the penalties you face for any criminal offense, especially one that carries long-term consequences like a sex crime. Prya Murad Law, PLLC, is ready to provide the compassionate and responsive defense counsel you need to feel more confident in this challenging situation. Contact us today and schedule your consultation with a Miami sex crimes attorney you can trust.