Common Federal Sex Crimes and Penalties in Florida Part 2
Federal sex crimes are uncommon, but they do happen. Federal sex crimes cover a wide range of circumstances, and are punished with harsher penalties than those crimes convicted solely at the state level.
In this brief article, the best federal defense attorney in St. Petersburg with The Rickman Law Firm has shared three of the most common federal sex crimes and their penalties.
Sexual Exploitation of a Child
In many cases, sexual crimes committed against a child carry federal charges and severe penalties. For example, sexual exploitation of a child is a felony and can carry a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years.
Sexual exploitation of a child includes coercion, bribery or any act to entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct, i.e. child pornography, sexual depictions, sexual, etc. For example, if a person shows a minor a pornographic image in an attempt to get them to engage in that conduct, that is sexual exploitation of a child. This is also an offense prosecuted at the state level.
Aggravated Sexual Abuse
Aggravated sexual abuse is a felony prosecuted both at the state and federal level. This crime includes using force, fear, or threats of bodily injury, kidnapping, death, or rendering the victim unconscious to coerce unwanted sexual acts. There is no age limit for this to rise to the level of a federal crime.
Sexual Crimes Committed on Federally Owned Lands or Territories
Even if a crime doesn’t typically rise to the level of federal charges, you can still face trouble if the crime was committed on federally owned lands or territories. That’s because any crime on a federal property is immediately in the jurisdiction of the federal government. Examples of these properties include: land or territory, including national parks, military bases, reservations, etc.
The penalties for committing a federal sex crime on federal property will depend on the act itself. For example, there is no minimum sentence for crimes committed in national parks (just by virtue of the location) but there are minimum sentences of 15 years or more for sexual battery of a minor on a federally owned land or territory.
Contact a Federal Defense Attorney for Sex Crimes
If you’re facing federal sex crime charges, you’ll need the best federal defense lawyer 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.