Unlawful Sexual Activity with Minors in Doral: What to Do If You’re Facing Charges

Getting charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor is scary. Even if you’re innocent, just being accused can ruin your reputation. And if you’re found guilty, you may face years behind bars and a lifetime as a registered sex offender. That’s why it’s critical to have an experienced Doral unlawful sexual activity with minors lawyer on your side from the start.

What Is Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor?

Florida law prohibits adults from having sex with minors, even if it’s consensual. An adult is anyone 18 or older. A minor is anyone between 12 and 17.

The charges and penalties depend on your age compared to the minor’s age:

• If you’re under 24, it’s a second-degree misdemeanor with up to 60 days in jail.
• If you’re 24 or older, it’s a second-degree felony with up to 15 years in prison.

There’s also a “Romeo and Juliet” exception if you’re within 4 years of age. So an 18-year-old with a 16-year-old wouldn’t necessarily be charged.

Other acts that could lead to charges include sexting, sharing explicit images, or “grooming” a minor by building an emotional connection to lower their defenses.

Common Defenses a Doral Lawyer Can Raise

A skilled Doral unlawful sexual activity attorney will thoroughly examine the evidence and identify any potential defenses. Some common defenses in these cases include:

• You didn’t know their age. If you reasonably believed the minor was older, this could get the charges reduced or dropped. Your lawyer may argue you met on an 18+ dating app, saw a fake ID, or had other reasons to think they were of legal age.
• No sexual contact occurred. The state has to prove sexual activity happened. If your lawyer can show the accusations are exaggerated or blatantly false, the case could get dismissed.
• The police made procedural errors. If there are issues with how the police handled the investigation or your arrest, your lawyer can challenge the admissibility of evidence and statements. This could result in charges getting dropped.
• You were falsely accused. Unfortunately, false accusations do happen in cases involving minors. An aggressive defense lawyer will work to expose any ulterior motives, inconsistencies, or lack of evidence to prove your innocence.
• The “Romeo and Juliet” exception applies. As mentioned above, the close-in-age exception can prevent charges if you and the minor are within 4 years of age. But the state doesn’t always consider this, so your lawyer has to actively assert and prove it applies.

Why Doral Unlawful Sexual Activity Attorneys Are Critical

Facing an unlawful sexual activity with a minor charge in Doral without a lawyer is extremely unwise. An experienced attorney will guide you through the complex legal system while aggressively defending your rights and seeking the best possible outcome.

Specifically, your Doral lawyer can:

• Explain the charges against you and potential penalties so you understand the seriousness of the situation.
• Advise you on your legal rights and options throughout the process.
• Represent you in negotiations with police and prosecutors.
• Work to get excessive charges reduced or dropped when possible.
• Thoroughly investigate the allegations and build a strong defense on your behalf.
• Challenge any constitutional violations or procedural errors by law enforcement.
• Cross-examine witnesses and scrutinize all prosecution evidence.
• Present persuasive legal arguments to weaken the state’s case.
• Hire expert witnesses when needed to bolster your defense.
• Negotiate a favorable plea bargain if that becomes the best option.
• Provide experienced representation if your case goes to trial.

How an Experienced Doral Lawyer Can Defend You

The consequences of an unlawful sexual activity conviction are extremely severe. Your life and future could be destroyed, even based on questionable accusations.

The legal system is complex, and the police and prosecutors are building a case against you. That’s why having an assertive lawyer defending your rights is so critical.

At The So-and-So Law Firm, our Doral unlawful sexual activity attorneys have decades of experience successfully defending these cases. We dig deep to understand the full context while identifying every possible defense and constitutional violation. Our goal is getting charges reduced or dismissed whenever possible.

If you or a loved one are facing accusations of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, don’t leave your future to chance. Contact our experienced Doral defense lawyers 24/7 for a free case evaluation. We’ll carefully examine your situation and advise you on the best defense strategies.

With an aggressive lawyer on your side, you can avoid harsh penalties and start rebuilding your life. Don’t wait to get the strong defense you deserve.