It can be hard to be accused of a sex crime. Florida’s laws include sex
with a juvenile under the offense of ‘sexual battery’, and is punished as a
felony. The level of the felony determines which defenses and penalties apply
to the crime.
Sexual battery is a crime that occurs when a defendant intentionally
commits any of the prohibited sexual activities included in the state's sex
laws. In Florida, an adult who commits sexual battery and injures the sexual
organs of someone younger than 12 years old is guilty of a capital felony.
Penalties include fines and life in prison; that is, offenders are required to
serve at least 25 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.
Penalties vary depending on the ages of the victims. When the offender at the time of the crime was
under the age of 18, the crime will be considered a life felony, punishable by
a fine and jail time (not to exceed 40 years in prison).
