If someone accuses you of child molestation, or if prosecutors charge you with lewd or lascivious molestation, you need to speak with a child molestation lawyer in Pensacola right away. Child molestation is one of the most serious Florida sex crimes and can lead to significant criminal penalties and mandatory registration as a sex offender.

Contact The Morris Firm at (850) 503-2626 today for a free case review with our experienced sex crimes defense lawyer in Pensacola. We’ll walk you through the legal process, help you understand the charges and penalties you’re facing, and work with you to establish an effective defense strategy.

Why Work with The Morris Firm

When you’re facing serious criminal charges like child molestation, it’s in your best interest to work with an experienced child molestation attorney in Pensacola. A criminal conviction can drastically impact your life and is not something you should leave up to chance. Some of the leading reasons to work with The Morris Firm are:

• Track Record of Success – Our attorneys have more than a decade of experience successfully defending clients in over 4,000 cases.
• 24/7 Availability – Our team is available 24/7 to answer questions and provide updates on your case, so you’re never in the dark about its status.
• Affordable Representation – Our retainer fee is reasonable, and we are more than happy to work out a payment plan to make sure you can secure the legal defense you need.
• Native to Pensacola – Our Pensacola child molestation attorneys were born and raised in Florida and are committed to supporting those in the community charged with serious offenses.
• Thorough Information Gathering – We emphasize the importance of gathering information about the parties involved for effective legal representation and case handling.

We also handle legal representation for other sex crimes and offenses, such as child trafficking, internet sex crimes, prostitution and solicitation, public sexual indecency, sexual assault, and sexual conduct with a minor.

What Is Child Molestation in Florida?

In Florida, child molestation is also known as lewd or lascivious molestation. It refers to when a person “intentionally touches in a lewd or lascivious manner the breasts, genitals, genital area, or buttocks, or the clothing covering them, of a person less than 16 years of age, or forces or entices a person under 16 years of age to so touch the perpetrator.”

Child molestation is a separate offense from lewd or lascivious battery because it does not involve a sexual act. It is also a separate offense from lewd or lascivious conduct, which can include soliciting a minor to engage in a lewd act, and from lewd or lascivious exhibition, which involves exposing oneself to a minor.

Penalties for Child Molestation in Pensacola

The penalties for child molestation in Florida depend on the ages of the accused and the alleged victim, and the nature of the alleged crime:

• If the accused is 18 or older and the alleged victim is less than 12 years old, it is a life felony with a penalty of either life in prison or at least 25 years in prison, followed by probation or community control for the rest of their life.
• If the accused is less than 18 and the alleged victim is less than 12, or if the accused is 18 or older and the alleged victim is older than 12 but less than 16, it is a second-degree felony with a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• If the accused is less than 18 and the alleged victim is older than 12 but less than 16, it is a third-degree felony with a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Additional penalties may apply if the accused has prior convictions for sex crimes or if additional crimes, such as kidnapping, false imprisonment, or possession of child pornography, were involved.

Defenses Against Child Molestation Charges in Pensacola, Florida

Defending yourself against sex crime allegations, such as child molestation charges, can be overwhelming, as you may not be sure what you can say or what evidence you can produce that will prove your innocence. However, it’s important to remember that you do not need to prove your innocence; the prosecutor must prove your guilt.

With this in mind, some of the best ways to defend against these charges are by poking holes in the prosecution’s case and shining a light on inconsistencies in the witnesses’ stories. Some of the defenses you may be able to use include:

• False Accusation – There are various reasons why someone may falsely accuse another person of child molestation, from vendettas to seeking attention.
• Alleged Victim Coaching – Parents or other adults around the alleged victim may have coached them through their accusation against you.
• Misrepresentation – The alleged victim may misrepresent the facts surrounding the incident. For example, you may have mistakenly bumped into them, not intentionally molested them.
• Investigation Errors – The prosecution may have made investigation errors that make some of their evidence inadmissible in court. An experienced Pensacola child molestation attorney can identify these errors and file the proper motions with the court to have evidence removed.

Contact Our Pensacola Sex Crimes Attorney Serving Pensacola, FL

If you are facing sex crime charges or accusations of child molestation in Pensacola, FL, call The Morris Firm at (850) 503-2626 for a free consultation with an experienced Pensacola child molestation lawyer. Our lawyers will review your case, explain the charges and penalties you’re facing, and go over some of the defenses you could use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by those facing child molestation charges in Pensacola, Florida:

What constitutes a sexual offense?

A sexual offense involves any unlawful sexual contact with a minor. The legal implications are severe, including significant criminal penalties and mandatory registration as a sex offender. Engaging in any form of sexual offense against a child can lead to long-term consequences that impact various aspects of life, including employment and housing opportunities.

Will I have to register for the sex offender registry if convicted of child molestation in Florida?

Yes, you must register for Florida’s sex offender registry if you are convicted of child molestation. Being on the sex offender registry will also impact where you can live and what kinds of jobs you can hold.

Is consent a valid defense against child molestation charges in Florida?

No, consent is not a valid defense against child molestation charges in Florida. This is because minors cannot legally consent to sexual activity. The alleged victim’s sexual history is similarly not a valid defense.

Is ignorance or belief of the victim’s age a valid defense against child molestation charges in Florida?

No, your ignorance of the alleged victim’s age, the alleged victim’s misrepresentation of their age, or your belief that the victim was of legal age are not valid defenses against child molestation charges in Florida.