- “Innocent until proven guilty is the cornerstone of our criminal justice system.”
- --Flanagan
“When interrogated by the police, answer their questions but remember everything you say WILL be held against you. If in doubt keep silent..” - --Flanagan
- “When you’ve been arrested, you need to choose a lawyer that you can trust to represent your interests. You need a lawyer that has trial
experience..”
- --Flanagan
- “Equal protection means everyone is supposed to be treated equally, but equal protection may be determined by the quality of your representation..”
- --Flanagan
If you’ve been arrested you know how traumatic and frightening the event can be. You’ve probably even replayed the event over and over in your mind. The police treat you like you’re the worst person on the face of the earth. You’re handcuffed, detained, and isolated from society.
St. Petersburg Rape Defense Lawyer
While rape is a common term that covers many Florida criminal offenses, there is no charge called rape. What is generally considered as rape is designated as sexual battery according to the Florida criminal statutes. According to the statute, the definition of sexual battery in Florida is the oral, vaginal, anal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object.
Florida law provides life penalties for certain sexual batteries depending upon the age of the victim. For instance, a person 18 years of age or older who commits or attempts sexual battery injuries upon the sexual organs of a person less than 12 years of age commits a capital felony. There are other instances in which capital felonies may be charged by law enforcement.
Criminal penalties for any capital sexual battery conviction can be as severe as life imprisonment. Florida statute often requires the defendant to register as a sex offender upon conviction.
If you or a loved one has been accused of a sexual battery in Florida, you need to contact an experienced Florida criminal trial lawyer. While the prospect of a criminal conviction for a sexual battery charge is very serious, the damage to reputation, employment, community involvement, and most importantly, family, is incalculable.