What to Do if Accused of Sexual Assault While Vacationing in Florida
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.
Definition of Sexual Assault in Florida
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:
- Rape – oral, anal, vaginal penetration
- Fondling and molestation
- Forcible object penetration
- Sexual contact with minors
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.
What to Do if Accused on Vacation
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.