A conviction for sexual battery could result in incarceration and a lifelong registration on the national sex offender listing. However, there are varying degrees and consequences of rape conviction based on the circumstances of the incident, the allegations against the defense, and the evidence that is gathered by the prosecution. Your Tampa criminal defense attorney will inform you of the degree of your charge. All charges of sexual battery in Florida are punished as felonies to differing degrees.
A life felony charge case, among fines, includes:
- Sexual battery of someone under 12,
- Forcible sexual battery
- Sexual battery from someone older than 18 against someone younger than 12
First-degree felony rape charges, with consequences of high fines and sentences of up to 30 years, include:
- Sexual battery from the defense, older than 18, against the prosecutor, who is older than 12
- Sexual battery from the defense, younger than 18, against the prosecutor, older than 12
Second-degree felony rape charges, where the offender receives a sentence of up to 5 years among fines, include:
- Sexual battery where the defense does not use physical force or violence likely to cause serious personal injury
While the specific consequences of different rape charges varies, each charge is serious and can carry highly consequential implications. Even a rape charge is enough to cause irreparable damage in your life. It is important to understand the type of charge that you are being accused of, as well as the legal severity of it.