West Palm Beach Sexual Battery Defense Lawyer
Being accused of a sexually-motivated offense or a sex crime is a life-changing event. Sex crime charges, such as sexual battery, lewd and lascivious battery, indecent exposure or child pornography can carry hefty fines and long prison sentences. To add to the large penalties, an individual convicted of sexual battery or many sex crime charges generally must register as a sex offender (carrying its own restrictions). Due to heightened public perception of sex-related crimes, prosecutors zealously prosecute these cases. In addition to legal ramifications, an individual accused of a sex crime is likely to face social stigma if his or her case is not handled properly. The stigma associated with sexual battery allegations or other sex crimes can radiate throughout the accused’s personal and professional life as friends, family, and co-workers may jump to conclusions. If you’ve been accused of a sex crime, you need to protect yourself from the legal consequences of the allegation, as well as the ramifications affecting your personal and professional life. To do so, you need an attorney who has significant experience with sex crime charges – helping you in the courtroom and outside of it.
Herman Law, P.A. has successfully defended numerous clients accused of sex crimes in the West Palm Beach and South Florida area. With more than eighteen years of legal experience in criminal law, Attorney Ron D. Herman has experience as a prosecutor and criminal defense counsel. While serving as an Assistant State Attorney in West Palm Beach, Mr. Herman gained incomparable experience in the Crimes Against Children Unit(Special Victims Unit). As a prosecutor in Ft. Lauderdale, Mr. Herman was the division lead in the Domestic Violence Unit. Based on his experience working for the prosecution, Mr. Herman has a deep understanding of the methods and tactics employed by the police and prosecutors to pursue a conviction. Due to this intricate understanding, Mr. Herman is best positioned to defend your future by staying a step ahead of an overzealous prosecutor. If you have been accused of or charged with a sexual offense or sex crime such as sexual battery or lewd and lascivious battery, please contact our offices as soon as possible for a free consultation to protect your future.
What is a Sex Crime?
Sometimes referred to as sexual molestation, this is a generalization that encompasses several crimes under Florida law including sexual battery, lewd or lascivious battery, lewd or lascivious molestation, indecent exposure, child pornography, and sexual assault. Lewd or lascivious battery is Florida’s common charge for statutory rape. Statutory rape occurs when an individual engages in sexual activity with a child younger than sixteen years of age but older than twelve; or, when an individual “encourages, forces, or entices” a child younger than sixteen years of age but older than twelve to engage in sexual activity. Lewd or lascivious molestation is a lesser crime to activity not rising to the level of statutory rape, occurring when a person intentionally touches the breasts, genitals, genitalia, or buttocks of a person under sixteen years of age; or, forces or entices a person under sixteen years of age to touch the perpetrator. Allegations of this conduct are serious and carry large penalties including fines and imprisonment.
What are the Penalties for Sex Crimes?
Florida laws are notoriously harsh for sex crimes. Additionally, due to public perception of these charges, prosecutors will often pursue maximum penalties such as monetary fines and prison sentences. Specific consequences resulting from being convicted of a sex crime may include:
- Extensive prison sentences with the possibility of life in prison for certain offenses
- Fines up to $15,000
- Registering as a sex offender which may limit where you can live or travel
- Loss of certain employment opportunities
- Loss of the right to vote
- Loss of the right to own, possess, or operate firearms
- Loss of ability to receive certain government assistance
- Social stigma
Mr. Herman will work tirelessly to understand your case and present the best defense possible to protect your rights and your future. Mr. Herman may be the difference between serving twenty years in prison and being acquitted.
How Will Herman Law, P.A. Defend You?
With more than eighteen years of criminal law experience, Mr. Herman knows how to defend you from allegations of sex crimes. Mr. Herman will meticulously dig through the facts of your case to mount the strongest defense possible and fight for your acquittal. Often in allegations of sex crimes, the alleged perpetrator is actually innocent and the victim of mistaken identity or false allegations. In defending you, Mr. Herman will first conduct a full investigation of the alleged victim to determine whether there is any indication that you have been falsely accused. Then, Mr. Herman will vehemently defend you from attempts to identify you knowing that it is extremely common for someone who is an actual victim of a sex crime to unfortunately misidentify the wrong person as the perpetrator. Additionally, Mr. Herman will focus on procedural errors committed by the police or prosecutor in their gathering of evidence or handling of you, and may even raise the defenses of mental incapacity and insanity where applicable, meaning you were not at fault for your actions if you committed the alleged acts. Overall, Mr. Herman has the experience to raise every possible defense to protect your future from overzealous prosecution.
West Palm Beach Sexual Battery and Sex Crimes Attorney
With more than eighteen years of experience in criminal law, Mr. Herman is recognized as one of the most talented criminal law experts in Florida. He has been featured on Legal Minute, Channel 5 News, Fox News, and in the Palm Beach Post – providing legal commentary on high-profile criminal cases. Additionally, Mr. Herman has been recognized by the legal industry as being one of the top criminal law attorneys through numerous awards, such as being selected for inclusion in Florida’s Super Lawyers® Rising Stars℠ and being recognized as one of the “10 Best” by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys. Mr. Herman has the experience and grit that you need to successfully protect your future from allegations of sexual battery, lewd and lascivious molestation, lewd assault, sexual activity with a minor, indecent exposure, child pornography or any sex crime. If you have been accused or charged with a sexually-motivated offense or other sex crime in West Palm Beach or South Florida, please contact our offices today to schedule a free consultation.