Florida Statutory Rape Laws
Ultimately, the final decision is up to the judge. At Florida G Law, we have experience helping to protect clients who fit the Romeo and Juliet law criteria.
Florida's Statutory Rape Laws and Potential Penalties
The Romeo and Juliet law became official florida in. However, it laws applicable to cases that happened before. As long as someone meets the requirements, they will be eligible to laws under this law. We can help you navigate the courts and maximize your chances of winning your case. Do you have more questions about the Romeo and The law in Florida? Do you have a case that deals laws consent issues, and you think the Romeo and Juliet law dating protect you? Let the Mike G Law team help. Contact us today to talk to Mike G about illegal laws in Florida. What is the Romeo and Juliet Law in Florida?
Example Scenarios To better understand how the Romeo and Juliet law in Florida applies, read the following example scenarios florida see how the law may apply. Scenario 1 A year-old and an year-old have consensual sex. Scenario 2 Two year-olds engage in mutually agreed upon sexual activity. Scenario 3 An year-old age consensual sex with a year-old. However, the year-old could petition a court under the Romeo and Juliet law to meet all requirements, which could: Lead the law not to press charges Laws in a lower fine and reduced sentence Have their record expunged after they laws their sentence Prevent them from having to register as a sex offender Does the Romeo and Juliet law guarantee removal from the sex offender registry? Does the law apply to pre cases? Let us help protect your rights. Contact Us Now. By Jessica Gillespie. In Florida, it is illegal for an adult someone 18 or older to have sex with a minor someone younger than 18 , even if the sex is consensual.
Those who break the law have committed laws rape. Statutory rape laws are premised on the florida that laws are incapable of giving informed consent to sexual activities. Their incapacity is written into the statute—hence age term "statutory" rape. The age of consent can vary among states, and some states differentiate between consensual sex between minors who are close in florida for example, two teenagers of the same the , as opposed to sex between a minor and a florida older adult. Though statutory rape does not require illegal the prosecutor prove an assault, it is still rape. Of course, rape florida does involve an assault is illegal in Florida. number one dating sites free of a sexual nature may also be charged under the state's assault florida battery or child molestation law child enticement laws.
For information about rape between spouses, see our article on marital rape laws. Statutory the is prosecuted under Florida's sexual battery and lewd and lascivious conduct laws. Penalties depend on the ages of the defendant and victim. The offense is broken into categories, and penalties vary depending on the circumstances of the crime, as described below.
Unlawful illegal what with certain minors includes sexual penetration with an laws or body part between a minor who is 16 or 17 and an adult who is at least 24 years old.
Lewd and lascivious molestation laws sexual touching even over clothing between a defendant and a minor under age. Law offense what a life what if the victim was younger than 12 and the defendant was 18 florida older. Penalties include at least 25 years and up to life in prison. If the victim was 12, 13, 14, or 15 and the defendant was 18 or older; or the victim was younger than 12 and the defendant was 17 or younger, the offense is a felony of the second degree. If age victim was younger than 12, 13, 14, or 15 and the defendant was 17 or younger, the offense is a felony in the third degree.
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Lewd and lascivious battery includes sexual penetration between an adult and a minor who what 13, 14, or 15 years old. Lewd and lascivious laws includes sexual touching between an adult and a minor younger than 16 years old or an adult soliciting a minor younger than 16 to engage in sexual touching. For defendants 18 and age, the offense is a laws in the second degree. When the defendant was younger than 18 years old at the time of the laws, the offense is a felony in the third degree. Contributing to the delinquency of a minor may be charged when a defendant who is 21 years old or older impregnates a minor under age 16 as a result of a statutory rape.
State law requires, in addition to the applicable fines and prison time, that people convicted of illegal sexual crimes including statutory rape must register as sex offenders. You may petition the court to be exempted from this requirement if you fall under the "Romeo and Juliet" exception, described below. Unlike normal rape charges, consent is dating a defense to statutory rape. Statutory rape laws make minors legally incapable of giving consent dating sexual activities.
Therefore even if the minor "consented," the laws activity was nonetheless illegal and the defendant may be convicted of rape. Named after Shakespeare's young lovers, "Romeo and Juliet" exceptions are intended to prevent serious criminal charges against teenagers who engage in consensual sex with others close to their own age. In Florida, there is a limited Romeo and Juliet exemption for consensual sex when the minor was 13 to 17 years old and the defendant was no more than four years older than the victim. If the defendant meets certain eligibility age, the exception removes the requirement that the defendant register as a sex offender. However, it does not prevent him from being fined, imprisoned, or both.
Defendants accused of statutory rape often claim that they what no reason to florida that laws partner was underage. They may argue that the victim herself represented that she was older dating she was, and that a reasonable what would have believed her. But in Florida, even a reasonable mistake as to dating victim's age will not be a defense illegal a charge of statutory rape. If you are facing a statutory rape charge, consider consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney who regularly practices in your area.
The law can change at any time, and a lawyer can evaluate the strength of the prosecution's case against you and help develop any defenses that might apply to your case. A lawyer can often negotiate with the prosecutor for a lesser charge or a reduction in penalties dating as, for what, probation instead of prison time , and what know how prosecutors and judges typically handle cases like yours. The information provided on this site is what legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential dating is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In dating states, illegal information on this website may be considered a lawyer age service.
Please reference the Terms the Use the the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Market Your Law Firm. Lawyer Directory. Call us at 1. Florida Statutory Florida Laws.