If you have been falsely accused of a sex crime, you may be worried that hiring criminal defense attorneys in Tampa is an admission of guilt. However, if you are facing accusations of a sex crime, no matter how false, you should not let the stigma of hiring an attorney inhibit your ability to protect yourself.
In this brief article, we spoke with a team member from the best criminal defense law firm in Tampa, The Rickman Law Firm, to learn the reasons you should consult a criminal defense law firm if you’ve been accused of a sex crime.
No matter how many episodes of Law and Order you have watched, nothing can fully prepare you to navigate the criminal justice system on your own. Even if you know that you are not guilty, the charges you might be facing have serious consequences and can impact your life in all aspects, from your ability to work to your family and reputation.
Criminal defense attorneys in Tampa with The Rickman Law Firm know the criminal justice system and can help you defend yourself both in court and in the court of public opinion.
Although the police will be investigating the alleged crime, you’ll need an attorney with the resources to investigate and defend you as well. An attorney has access to private investigators, forensic experts, and expert witnesses that those relying on public defenders will not have access to. Additionally, criminal defense attorneys will be able to dedicate the time needed to your defense strategy.
The diligent staff of legal professionals are seasoned in performing all of the specialized tasks required for a case. They understand how to finalize all of the necessary legal paperwork. They also know how to assess the relevant case details, obtain evidence, and can stay in close contact with important eyewitnesses or recruit a valuable roster of experts to bolster your case.
An experienced attorney can alleviate some of the stress of being accused of a crime. They represent the client’s best interests, do everything in their power to improve the situation, and are professional and transparent about their client’s legal situation and options moving forward. During an emotionally difficult time, a criminal defense lawyer can be a major asset to a client far beyond just their legal capabilities.
If you need help handling a criminal court case, you need the best criminal defense law firm in Tampa with The Rickman Law Firm. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
For a free consultation with the best criminal defense law firm in Tampa, please contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
Unfortunately, no matter how lovely a vacation we plan, unexpected problems can arise. For example, you may find yourself accused of sexual assault while on your vacation. This might be an accusation from a fellow traveler or an accusation of someone who lives in the area.
No matter who the accuser is, you may find yourself navigating the very confusing court system that is not local to you once you get home.
In this brief article, a sexual assault defense attorney in Tampa with our team at The Rickman Law Firm has shared what you need to know if you have been accused of sexual assault while on vacation in Florida. Remember, if you have been charged with sexual assault you will need the best sex crime defense attorneys in Tampa with The Rickman Law Firm.
Imagine that you are in a nightclub while on vacation and have connected with another person on vacation. Now imagine that the next day, you’re facing sexual assault charges. What do you do?
The first place to start is to understand what sexual assault means in the eyes of the law in Florida.
An accusation of sexual assault means that an individual has been accused of making sexual contact or exhibiting sexual behavior against another person without their consent. When people think of sex crimes they tend to think of rape, but sexual assault comes in a variety of forms:
The key component of sexual assault is lack of consent. Under Florida law, consent is defined as “intelligent, knowing, and voluntary consent…consent should not be construed as a failure by the alleged victim to physically resist the offender.” Sexual advances that are unwanted or without consent include using physical force, using threats to get the victim to comply, misleading the victim about intentions, or touching or penetrating a victim when they have said “no” or “stop.”
Non-consent is also touching or performing a sexual act on a person that is powerless to consent due to age, mental incapacity, or unconsciousness. Consent should always be very clear in any sexual encounter.
The most important thing you can do if you are accused of any crime while on vacation in the Tampa area in Florida is to find a sexual assault defense attorney in Tampa with The Rickman Law Firm. You’ll need to make sure your lawyer handles cases in the jurisdiction where you were arrested. Your attorney will guide you through the process and help you understand when you’ll need to appear in court and how to best defend yourself.
For a free consultation with the best sex crime defense attorneys in Tampa, please contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
Picture this scenario: you’ve been talking with someone online for a few months and have decided to travel to a different county or state to meet them. However, when you get there, you discover that you’ve been catfished and have actually been speaking with a minor. If you find yourself in this situation, you’re likely wondering if you would face criminal charges.
In this brief article, a federal defense lawyer in Tampa with our team at The Rickman Law Firm has shared some insight into the instances in which you may be charged in Florida for traveling to meet a minor. Remember, if you are facing federal charges of any kind you should consult an attorney who specializes in federal sex crimes.
If you have traveled out of the state to meet a minor, you would typically face charges in the state where you intended to meet them. You may also face federal charges in this case as well, depending on whether or not you knew the person was a minor and if you intended to have sexual relations with them.
However, if a minor has traveled into the state of Florida to meet you, and you knowingly engage in sexual relations with the minor, you may also face charges in Florida as well as federally.
You may be wondering, what happens if you cross county lines, or simply meet a minor in the state of Florida? In that instance, you would not face charges in the state the minor traveled from or resides in. However, you would likely face charges in Florida as well as federal charges.
You may also be tried in a different county than where you reside depending on where in the state you met the minor. It should also be noted that if you traveled to meet a minor, whether in state or out, you should never transport that minor anywhere or you may face human trafficking charges.
Whether you traveled to meet a minor in state or out of state, you could be facing federal and state charges. These charges are very serious, and even if you did not know that the person you were traveling to meet is below the age of consent, you still could be in trouble. You will risk your freedom, reputation, and livelihood.
If you’re facing charges involving a minor, you’ll need a federal defense attorney in Tampa from The Rickman Law Firm. These charges can negatively impact your life for years to come, and defending yourself aggressively is crucial.
For a free consultation with the best federal defense attorney in Tampa, please contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
If you’ve been falsely accused of a sex crime, your inclination may be to simply ignore it. After all, if you didn’t do it you have nothing to be worried about, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Because of Florida’s punishment of sex crimes, it’s important to properly defend yourself from the start. In this brief article, a sexual battery lawyer in Tampa with our team at The Rickman Law Firm has some insights into the best way to protect yourself if you’re facing a false allegation of sex crimes in Florida, and why you shouldn’t ignore them.
False allegations of sex crimes aren’t new. However, it can often seem like the person who stands accused is guilty until proven innocent rather than the other way around. There are a number of reasons someone might make false accusations of a sex crime. These might include:
The idea of a false allegation can seem a bit like a double edged sword. When someone says they have been sexually assaulted or harmed we should take the accusation seriously. However, that often results in the person who has been falsely accused suffering for years to come.
The short answer is no, you should not ignore false allegations of sex crimes lodged against you. Although you may see getting an attorney as a sign of guilt, it is quite the contrary. A sexual battery lawyer in Tampa is crucial in helping you defend your reputation. Florida has a history of aggressively prosecuting sex crimes cases and has some of the most harsh penalties for sex crimes in the country. You’ll need someone to help you navigate this unfriendly system and make sure your rights are preserved.
Additionally, if you have been falsely accused, do not speak to the police without an attorney present. The police are trained to intimidate and may try to force you to confess to a crime you did not commit. The only way to make sure you do not accidentally incriminate yourself or feel pressured is to have an attorney present.
If you’re facing false accusations, you need the best sexual battery lawyer in Tampa with The Rickman Law Firm. You may be facing steep consequences, including prison time, and your personal and professional reputation are on the line when you have been falsely accused. Don’t let the court defame your character. Contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
For a free consultation with the best federal criminal defense lawyer in Tampa, please contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
Although sex crimes are often a state-level crime, you might be concerned that you could be facing charges on both a state and federal level. Understanding the difference between state and federal charges is important, especially when it comes to finding the right legal team to defend you.
In this brief article, a federal criminal defense attorney in Tampa with our team at The Rickman Law Firm shares some insight into the circumstances when you may be charged at both the federal and state level, and what that might mean for your sentencing if you are found guilty.
There are some crimes that may include federal charges in addition to state charges. For example, any crime that involves minors or children, sex crimes that included the movement between states, or sex crimes that are more aggravated in nature may come with federal charges in addition to state charges. Additionally, child pornography charges are always federal charges.
As previously mentioned, you can be charged on both the state and federal level for the same crime. Additionally, you may face separate trials – one for state court and one for federal.
You might be thinking that you are protected from multiple trials for the same crime through the rule of double jeopardy, but that does not apply to federal sex crimes. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that facing criminal conviction for state and federal charges is not in violation of a person’s freedom from double jeopardy.
Depending on the charges and convictions, you will be required to register as a sex offender on both the national and state level. Additionally, you may be required to serve an incarceration sentence from a federal prison rather than a state facility. However, these sentences will be served concurrently (meaning, if you are sentenced for 15 years at the state level and 10 years at federal, you won’t be serving 25 total).
When state and federal charges are being lodged against you at the same time, it’s crucial that you hire the best federal criminal defense lawyer in Tampa with The Rickman Law Firm. These cases are highly complex and you will need a highly skilled attorney to help you understand your rights and defend you at both the state and federal levels. Don’t trust your fate to a public defender, contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
For a free consultation with the best federal criminal defense lawyer in Tampa, contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
Sex crimes are often charged on a state level, however, there are a few common federal sex crimes that are prosecuted in Florida as well. Federal sex crimes cover a wide range of circumstances, and often involve minors.
In this brief article, the best federal defense attorney in St. Petersburg with our team at The Rickman Law Firm shared the top three most common federal sex crimes in Florida, and what to do if you have been charged with a federal sex crime.
Florida is one of the top places in the world for human trafficking and is third in the country for human trafficking. In fact, the cities of Tampa, Orlando, and Miami are in the top areas of Florida where human trafficking is most prevalent.
Human trafficking occurs any time a person is trafficked by another person for either servitude or sexual reasons. Although this crime often involves several levels of people and involvement, 18 U.S.C. 1584 outlines penalties for up to 20 years in prison for a defendant who is convicted of holding someone or selling them in involuntary servitude. If serious bodily injury or death occurs, or the crime involved kidnapping or sexual abuse, the defendant could be sentenced to life in a federal prison.
In Florida, over 34,000 children were abused in Florida in 2019, 35 perent of which also suffered sexual abuse. Sexual assault is prosecuted at the state level, but just as it is federally illegal to participate in, consume, or distribute child pornography, it’s also federally illegal to sexually assault a minor. This charge is sometimes called aggravated sexual abuse.
Except in limited circumstances, federal laws typically do not apply to child sexual abuse matters that takes place wholly inside a single state and are typically handled by the state. However, if the sexual abuse of a child occurred on federal lands, the offense may be prosecuted under federal law. Federal lands include areas such as military bases, Indian territories, and other government-owned lands or properties.
As defined by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, child pornography is “any image depicting a minor engaged in sexual conduct,” including photographs, videos, and computer files, among other forms of content involving a person under the age of 18 engaged in any form of sexual conduct. This is a federal and state crime. You may come into contact with these materials through no fault of your own, but you may still stand accused and charged regardless of intent.
If you’re facing federal sex crime charges, you’ll need a federal defense attorney in St. Petersburg from The Rickman Law Firm. These charges can negatively impact your life for years to come, and defending yourself aggressively is crucial.
For a free consultation with the best federal defense attorney in St. Petersburg, please contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
Sex crimes are often charged on a state level, however, there are a few common federal sex crimes that are prosecuted in Florida as well. Federal sex crimes cover a wide range of circumstances, and often involve minors.
In this brief article, the best federal defense attorney in St. Petersburg with our team at The Rickman Law Firm shared the top three most common federal sex crimes in Florida, and what to do if you have been charged with a federal sex crime.
Florida is one of the top places in the world for human trafficking and is third in the country for human trafficking. In fact, the cities of Tampa, Orlando, and Miami are in the top areas of Florida where human trafficking is most prevalent.
Human trafficking occurs any time a person is trafficked by another person for either servitude or sexual reasons. Although this crime often involves several levels of people and involvement, 18 U.S.C. 1584 outlines penalties for up to 20 years in prison for a defendant who is convicted of holding someone or selling them in involuntary servitude. If serious bodily injury or death occurs, or the crime involved kidnapping or sexual abuse, the defendant could be sentenced to life in a federal prison.
In Florida, over 34,000 children were abused in Florida in 2019, 35 perent of which also suffered sexual abuse. Sexual assault is prosecuted at the state level, but just as it is federally illegal to participate in, consume, or distribute child pornography, it’s also federally illegal to sexually assault a minor. This charge is sometimes called aggravated sexual abuse.
Except in limited circumstances, federal laws typically do not apply to child sexual abuse matters that takes place wholly inside a single state and are typically handled by the state. However, if the sexual abuse of a child occurred on federal lands, the offense may be prosecuted under federal law. Federal lands include areas such as military bases, Indian territories, and other government-owned lands or properties.
As defined by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, child pornography is “any image depicting a minor engaged in sexual conduct,” including photographs, videos, and computer files, among other forms of content involving a person under the age of 18 engaged in any form of sexual conduct. This is a federal and state crime. You may come into contact with these materials through no fault of your own, but you may still stand accused and charged regardless of intent.
If you’re facing federal sex crime charges, you’ll need a federal defense attorney in St. Petersburg from The Rickman Law Firm. These charges can negatively impact your life for years to come, and defending yourself aggressively is crucial.
For a free consultation with the best federal defense attorney in St. Petersburg, please contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
Workplace flirtations can sometimes go wrong, and if they do, you may be facing allegations of sexual harrassment or even sexual assault. This problem is not uncommon, with some studies estimating that anywhere from 25% to 80% women experience workplace sexual harrassment in their lifetimes. If you engage in harmless flirting at work, or even if you simply want to avoid accusations, knowing what to do and how to handle allegations of workplace sexual harassment and sexual assault is the single best way to protect yourself.
In this brief article, criminal lawyers in Tampa at The Rickman Law Firm have shared a few basics on workplace sex crimes and what to do if you find yourself wrongfully accused.
Sexual harassment is often the punchline of the workplace joke. After all, how many of us have seen (and laughed along to) the episode of The Office where Michael and others have to undergo sexual harassment training from HR, and instead make sexual jokes about the woman in the video?
However, sexual harassment at work has serious legal consequences and isn’t a joke at all.
According to Federal law: “it is unlawful to harass a person (applicant or employee) because of that person’s sex (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, n.d.). Sexual harassment is defined by its impact, not its intent. The conduct must be unwelcome to be considered sexual harassment. It can include behavior such as:
Anyone of any age, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity can be a victim or a harasser. The victim and the harasser can also be of the same sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity.”
This can result in business fines, personal fines, termination of employment, and even criminal legal charges if the incident rises to the level of sexual assault. Those criminal charges may include jail time and fines as well.
Sex crimes in the workplace are rarely reported but are fairly common. In fact over 85% of those who experience sexual harassment never file a formal legal charge, and approximately 70% of employees never even complain internally.
However, that doesn’t mean the problem isn’t happening, and with negative professional impacts as well as personal and legal impacts.
You may be surprised to learn that:
The person who is being accused of harassment or assault may be arrested for committing a sex crime, which can cause major damage to one’s family and societal relationships, professional opportunities, and can even result in incarceration and personal financial hardship.
On a company level, sexual harassment and assault creates a toxic environment where women and men feel unsafe around each other, which hurts morale and teamwork. Not to mention company fines that may be incurred as well as legal fees.
If you’ve been wrongfully accused of or charged with sexual harassment or sexual assault, especially if it was caused by mutual flirtation, criminal defense lawyers in Tampa with The Rickman Law Firm can help. Don’t hesitate to call our team to discuss how to protect your rights.
For a free consultation with criminal defense lawyers in Tampa, please contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
Sexual battery accusations are serious, and unfortunately, they’re sometimes falsely made. If you find yourself falsely accused and charged with sexual assault or sexual battery, you might feel that you are playing a game of “he said, she said” with no way to properly defend yourself.
In this brief article, the top criminal attorneys in Tampa with our team at The Rickman Law Firm have compiled a few of the most common defenses for sexual battery and sexual assault. Remember, if you stand accused you should contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Under Florida law, sexual battery has a broad legal definition. Generally, the crime covers any offense that is sexual in nature from rape to assault to deliberately and inappropriately touching another person without their consent. In other words, sexual battery is classified as the physical act of making offensive and unwanted contact with a person.
Going a step further, you may also be falsely accused of sexual assault. In Florida, various acts can be considered sexual assault, sex crimes, and abuse. These include (but aren’t limited to):
If you are facing a rape accusation, the first defense is to find out if there is evidence of consent. If there is any written or recorded evidence, you’ll need to save it. Gather any witnesses who might have been involved, especially if the incident in question occurred in a public place.
Remember, ignoring your situation will not make the case go away. Consulting an attorney as soon as possible will help you understand if you can use the defense of consent. Further, if the alleged victim is a former lover or partner who might have a reason to make false accusations, your attorney will help you understand how best to present this information to the jury.
Depending on the circumstances and charge, a sexual assault charge in the state of Florida could range from a first-degree felony to a capital or life felony. Nevertheless, an individual is innocent until proven guilty and has the right to seek out a defense attorney for case evaluation and representation.
False accusations of sexual battery or sexual assault are among the most serious accusations an individual can face. If you or a loved one is accused of sexual battery, contact The Rickman Law Firm today. A Tampa criminal attorney with The Rickman Law Firm will analyze your case and develop a strategy that includes physical evidence and character assessment of the accuser to achieve a positive result.
For a free consultation with the top criminal attorneys in Tampa, please contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
Being charged with any crime can create major issues and changes in your life. However, being charged and convicted with a felony sex crime can impact you beyond a prison sentence. Felony sex crimes are defined by Florida Statutes Chapter 794, but what you might be surprised to learn is that you may also be charged with federal sex charges.
Whether you are facing federal or state charges, your life will be negatively impacted if you don’t have the right legal counsel to help your defense. In this brief article, a Tampa felony defense attorney with our team at The Rickman Law Firm has shared a few ways your life can be impacted by felony sex charges, and how to protect your rights and your life.
The first and most obvious impacts to your life are the criminal penalties. Depending on the charges you are facing (and whether you are facing additional federal charges), you may face anywhere from five years to life imprisonment. You may also be ordered to pay fines to the state – and to add insult to injury you may face a civil lawsuit from the victim for pain and suffering which can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Another criminal penalty for committing a sex crime is having to register in the sex offender database. This database shares the location and information of all sex offenders and is a matter of public record.
This will also dictate where you can live, as sex offenders cannot live within a close range to a school or playground (even if your sex crime did not involve children). Furthermore, you will be required to inform all of your neighbors of your status as a sex offender.
The personal penalties and criminal penalties are often seen as one-in-the-same. After all, your personal relationships with your neighbors are bound to suffer when you knock on their door and tell them that you’re a sex offender. They won’t care about the context of the charges, just that you were convicted.
But there is another personal penalty you’ll end up having to pay if you’re convicted: the relationships with your children and family. If you’re unable to be around a school, chances are you will miss out on a lot of your children’s activities. This can put an extra strain on your family life.
Further, you’ll face discrimination at work. You may be passed up for job opportunities because of your status as a convicted sex offender, no matter how established you are in your career. You might even be fired from your current job due to company policies prohibiting sex offenders in the workplace.
That’s why it’s crucial to find an experienced criminal defense attorney in Tampa.
Being wrongfully accused of a sex crime doesn’t mean you will be convicted – but it does mean that you need the best defense available. Contact a tenacious felony defense attorney in Tampa with The Rickman Law Firm today. Don’t hesitate to call our team to discuss how to protect your rights.
For a free consultation with criminal defense attorneys in Tampa, please contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.