New Port Richey Sex Crime Lawyer
I WORK HARD TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS.
Effective Defense from an AV Preeminent* Rated Former Prosecutor with more than 25 Years of Experience
I WORK HARD TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS.
Effective Defense from an AV Preeminent* Rated Former Prosecutor with more than 25 Years of Experience
- Why Should You Hire Mike G Law to Defend Your Sex Crime Charge in New Port Richey
- Florida Sex Crimes
- Cases Mike G Law Handles
- Common Sex Crime Defenses
- Legal Consequences for Sex Crimes in Florida
Why Should You Hire Mike G Law to Defend Your Sex Crime Charge in New Port Richey?
While there are plenty of sex crime defense attorneys you can turn to in your time of need, in reality, you don’t want just any lawyer. You need someone with decades of experience in your corner fighting for your rights.
Mike G is a former prosecutor with over 25 years of experience and the New Port Richey sex crime lawyer you want to hire. He knows your rights inside and out. Plus, his AV Preeminent rating means that judges and lawyers in the Tampa area know his legal ability and ethical standards.
Not only will Mike G help you through pre-trial investigations and negotiations with prosecutors, but should your case go to trial, Mike G will also serve as your trial lawyer and fight vehemently for you before a jury.
If you’re ready to work with Mike G, contact our law firm now for a free consultation to discuss your sex crime criminal charges. Our law office serves clients throughout the greater Clearwater-St. Petersburg-Tampa Bay area, including:
Florida Sex Crimes
Under Florida law, a sex offense is a non-consensual and unlawful sexual behavior or contact that leads to the sexual gratification of the culprit. Often, sex offenses include the use of force or threats.
Florida’s sex crime laws are notably harsh. Those convicted of a sex crime will face lengthy prison time, hefty fines, and life-long mandatory sex offender registration. Even after completing a sex crime sentence, you must still register as a sex offender, which affects nearly every aspect of your life.
Even the accusation of a sex crime is enough to cause social ruin. If the police have arrested you for a sex crime, you need to consider hiring the leading New Port Richey criminal defense attorney, Mike G.
Cases Mike G Law Handles
Mike G Law’s practice areas expand across various types of criminal cases. From drug crimes and violent crimes to gun crimes and DUIs, our law firm handles nearly any criminal case you can think of.
Regarding sex crimes, some of the cases we handle include:
- Bestiality
- Child pornography
- Child sexual abuse
- Domestic violence
- Human trafficking
- Indecent exposure
- Lewd and lascivious crimes
- Prostitution
- Rape
- Sexual assault
- Sexual battery
- Sex crimes against minors
- Sexual cyberharassment
- Solicitation of a minor
- Statutory rape
- Voyeurism
If you need legal representation for any sex crime, contact Mike G to be your criminal defense lawyer. We offer a free case evaluation, so call today or fill out the contact form on our website to get started.
Common Sex Crime Defenses
When up against a sex crime, your New Port Richey sex crime lawyer will craft a defense strategy and offer you legal advice to get the state to reduce or drop the charges against you. Below are some common defenses lawyers use for sex crimes.
Challenging Forensic Evidence
In some sex crime cases, the police have DNA evidence or other samples from the crime scene from the alleged offender and/or accuser. A skilled criminal defense attorney will review the evidence and help conduct an independent forensic analysis.
If the analysis finds that the police did not properly collect, store, or analyze the evidence, your attorney can attempt to negotiate with the court to dismiss the case.
Entrapment
Entrapment is when a police officer, usually undercover, coerces you to commit a crime you otherwise wouldn’t have committed.
Entrapment is illegal.
Your criminal defense lawyer can argue that you wouldn’t have committed the crime if the law enforcement officer hadn’t coerced you into doing so.
Good Faith Reporting
Good faith reporting is when the accused reports the crime or other information related to the crime. If you report any information to the police, your attorney can try to get the court to reduce the charges because of good faith reporting.
Police Misconduct
Law enforcement cannot conduct illegal searches and seizures. There are specific legal protocols for obtaining and carrying out a warrant. Police must also follow strict laws when collecting and storing evidence and interviewing suspects.
If law enforcement didn’t follow the correct guidelines and violated your rights at any point during the investigation, your sex crimes attorney will use it as a defense.
Legal Consequences for Sex Crimes in Florida
The penalties for sex crime cases vary depending on the severity of the crime.
For example, prostitution and indecent exposure are misdemeanors:
- A first-time prostitution conviction is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a jail sentence of up to 60 days and a fine of up to $500.
- Indecent exposure is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000.
- Possession of child pornography is a third-degree felony, punishable by a prison sentence of up to five years and a maximum fine of $5,000. However, the production of child pornography is a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- The punishment for lewd and lascivious crimes varies depending on the age of the victim and offender. The prison sentence can range from five years to life.
With such severe penalties for sex crimes, you need an attorney in New Port Richey, FL, who will help you fight the charges against you.
Sex Offender Registry
Florida Statute 943.0435 details the requirements for sex offender registration and the penalties for failing to register. As mentioned, in nearly all cases, sex offender registration is mandatory for life.
Failing to register as a sex offender is a third-degree felony.
FAQs About New Port Richey Sex Crime Lawyers
It’s natural to have further questions about sex crimes and New Port Richey attorneys who handle them. To further assist our New Port Richey clients, we’ve answered some of the most common questions we receive regarding the topic below.
What Is Considered a Sex Crime in Florida?
There are many crimes that the state of Florida considers a sex crime. Some of the most common Florida sex crimes include:
- Child pornography
- Failure to register as a sex offender
- Indecent exposure
- Lewd and lascivious acts
- Prostitution
- Sexual battery
Because there are many examples of sex crimes, they vary in nature and severity.
Is Florida Hard on Sex Offenders?
Florida is arguably the harshest state for sex offenders. Not only is sex offender registration for life, but after an offender completes their sentence, they undergo an assessment to see if they are ready to reenter society.
If the assessment deems the offender unfit for society, Florida will place them in a maximum security location in Arcadia, which currently houses 650 men the state believes would commit a severe sex crime if they were living in society.
What Are Sex Offenders Not Allowed to Do in Florida?
The court does not allow sex offenders to move out of the state without permission. If the state grants permission, the offender must register as a sex offender in the state of their new residence.
If the offender has shared custody of their children, they could lose access to them. This is particularly true if the sex crime was against a child.
Because sex offender registration is a public record, offenders will have difficulty finding employment. Those with a conviction involving a minor are not allowed to work or volunteer in any business where children may be present.
Additionally, many Florida places of interest do not allow registered sex offenders to work at their locations. One example is Disney World. Going on vacation to visit the best Florida has to offer would be incredibly difficult if the offender must stay a certain distance away from children.
Finding housing is also challenging. In the Tampa Bay area, for example, sex offenders cannot live within 1,000 feet of the following places:
- Daycares
- Schools
- Parks and playgrounds
In some Florida counties, like Miami-Dade, the distance is 2,500 feet.
Lastly, if you are not a U.S. citizen, a sex crime conviction may affect your immigration status and lead to deportation.
How Long Does a Sex Offense Stay on Your Record in Florida?
In Florida, you cannot expunge or seal nearly any sex crime. Thus, a sex offense will stay on your record for life unless the state pardons you or the court sets aside the conviction.
The same is true for sex offender registration. In very few instances, you can petition the court to lift the required registration. The “Romeo and Juliet” law primarily details these rules.
Let Mike G Help Protect Your Rights
The decisions you make after you have been arrested can determine the outcome of your case — and possibly your life. Call Mike G Law at 813-221-4303, or contact me online.
Sex Offenses
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I would do more than 5 stars if it was available. Mr. Gonzalez was outstanding. Told everything how it was, very responsive to call and email. Fought very hard to get my husband the outcome he received. If We were to ever need a attorney in Florida again, We would use him as many times as We needed. We highly recommend to anyone looking for an awesome attorney to go with Mike G Law!!! He gets to the point!!!
I cannot recommend Mr Gonzalez enough. He is extremely professional as is his entire firm. Mr Gonzalez has been very knowledgeable and forthcoming throughout the entire legal process. I highly recommend him and a definite five star!
Mike G. is a great attorney. Very professional, very punctual, easy to talk to. Thanks to him my case was dismissed charges dropped.
I was able to text or call Mike anytime I needed to. He worked with me, on a real level and communicated realistic expectations for my situation. Thanks again guys.
I wish I could give Mr. González 10 stars out of 5. He is a stellar and highly competent criminal justice attorney. Mr. González has effectively given me a second chance at life thanks to his deep and professional knowledge of criminal law. I was facing a very serious crime that carried a considerable period of imprisonment. But thanks to his incredible talent, sheer strength of intelligence, and a strong heart to fight for an individual’s values, I can now rest easy knowing that I will not have to suffer through the penal system. If you ever have a problem with the criminal justice system, I highly recommend that you hire this remarkable gentleman to fight for you in your case. I owe you a tremendous debt for your services. He gave me back my life and I will always be grateful. Thank you Mr. Gonzalez!
Mike took care of my legal and civil case and was very helpful and Professional. He was responsive to all my questions and gave me updates as I asked for them. He helped get me in a position to see my son again which I am extremely grateful for. Thank you and God bless!