Orlando Sex Crimes Attorney 

Experienced Defense for Sex Crime Charges in Florida 

A sex crime is defined as unwanted sexual advances or touching. If you were accused of such, it is imperative you have an experienced sex crimes attorney on your side to ensure you receive the best possible outcome for your case.

At Longwell Lawyers, our Orlando criminal defense attorneys have more than 20 years of experience and we have successfully helped thousands of Orlando residents minimize or eliminate their criminal charges.

No matter what type of sex crime charges you are facing, we can ensure you receive a fair outcome. We prepare each case as if it will go to trial to guarantee you have the necessary leverage needed to win in court. Our founding lawyer, Mark Longwell, is a former prosecutor, which means he is aware of the strategies used by prosecutors and can help counteract their arguments quickly and efficiently. Our firm is determined to provide the legal assistance you need when you are facing sex crime charges. 

Contact online our sex crimes attorney in Orlando today at (407) 553-9599 to start discussing your defense. 

Categories of Sexual Offenses in Florida 

While there are various types of sex crimes, they can be grouped into three main categories:

• Sexual Battery or Rape: Sexual battery or rape is when non-consensual sexual activity occurs due to force, coercion, or incapacitation.
• Lewd or Lascivious Acts: These types of sex crimes are committed on an individual who is younger than 16 years of age. They include battery, molestation, conduction, and exhibition.
• Unlawful Sex with Minors: Unlawful sexual activity with minors is when a person 24 years of age or older has consensual sex with a 16 or 17 year old minor.

Prostitution and solicitation are also sex offenses. Prostitution is defined as a person offering to sell sex or sexual relations to another person for money. Solicitation is when a person approaches another individual and offers to purchase sex or sexual relations with money.

Penalties for Sex Crimes in Florida

Penalties for sex crimes in Florida are severe and can have long-lasting effects on the defendant’s life. The specific penalties depend on the nature of the crime, the victim’s age, whether the defendant has a prior criminal history and other factors.

Below are some general penalties for common sex crimes:

• Sexual Battery: A conviction for sexual battery can result in life in prison, particularly if the victim is under 12 years old. In other cases, the sentence can range from 25 years to life.
• Child Pornography: Possession or distribution of child pornography can result in up to 5 years in prison for first offenses, with sentences of 25 years to life for trafficking or production.
• Lewd and Lascivious Behavior: Penalties can range from probation for a misdemeanor charge to several years in prison if a felony is involved.
• Sexual Exploitation or Trafficking: Sex trafficking of a minor is punishable by life in prison, while trafficking of adults can lead to sentences ranging from 10 to 25 years.
• Sexual Abuse of a Minor: A conviction can result in 25 years to life in prison, along with mandatory sex offender registration.

Impact of Sex Offender Registration in Florida

One of the most devastating penalties you can receive after being convicted is having to register as a sex offender. The sex offender registry is an online database that has your name, age, physical characteristics, and details about the crime. This can have a huge impact on finding a place to work and live. That is why you need the help of an experienced Orlando sex crime attorney from Longwell Lawyers.

Defenses Against Sex Crime Charges

Facing sex crime charges in Florida can feel overwhelming, but a skilled Orlando sex crimes attorney can help develop a strong defense strategy tailored to the specifics of your case. Common defenses include challenging false allegations, which may stem from misunderstandings, personal conflicts, or mistaken identity. In many cases, lack of evidence can be a critical defense—if the prosecution cannot present sufficient, reliable evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the case may fall apart.

Additionally, if consent is a key issue in the case, a skilled lawyer will gather witness testimony, text messages, or other evidence to support the defendant’s version of events and show that the alleged sexual act was consensual. Other effective defense strategies include mistaken identity or coercion. Mental incapacity may also serve as a valid defense if it can be shown that the defendant lacked the mental capacity to form the necessary intent for the crime.

No matter the charge, an experienced Orlando sex crimes attorney will leave no stone unturned, carefully examining the evidence and circumstances surrounding the case to craft a defense strategy designed to protect your rights and secure the best possible outcome.

How to Prove Consent?

Proving consent in a sex crime case often involves presenting various forms of evidence that demonstrate the alleged victim voluntarily agreed to engage in the sexual activity. This can include eyewitness testimony, communication records (such as text messages or social media exchanges), and video or audio recordings that show mutual agreement.

In some cases, behavioral cues and body language may support the claim of consent, as can prior sexual history between the parties involved. Physical evidence, such as the absence of injury or contradictory statements by the accuser, can also play a role. A skilled Orlando sex crimes attorney will investigate the facts, identify inconsistencies, and strategically use available evidence to challenge the prosecution's case and prove that consent was given.

Why You Need an Orlando Sex Crimes Attorney

Facing sex crime charges in Florida is an incredibly serious matter, and the consequences of a conviction can last a lifetime. An experienced Orlando sex crimes attorney can provide the defense you need, investigating every aspect of the case to uncover weaknesses in the prosecution’s argument.

Whether it’s negotiating a favorable plea deal, challenging the evidence, or defending you in court, a skilled attorney will fight for your rights every step of the way.

Our firm offers Spanish and Portuguese-speaking services. Contact us online or call us at (407) 553-9599 to speak with a sex crime attorney in Orlando.