2500 Rhode Island Ave, Suite B, Fort Pierce, FL 34947
Call Today: (772) 489-2200
2500 Rhode Island Ave, Suite B, Fort Pierce, FL 34947
Call Today: (772) 489-2200

2500 Rhode Island Avenue
Suite B
Fort Pierce, FL 34947

Call Now For A Personalized Case Evaluation

(772) 489-2200

Saint Lucie Sexual Battery Lawyer

Experienced and Respected Criminal Defense

Help from a Saint Lucie Sexual Battery Lawyer

In Florida, sexual battery is among the most serious crimes that someone might be accused of. This offense is commonly referred to as rape. When someone is charged with sexual battery, they can expect the prosecutor to pursue the maximum potential penalties available. In many of these types of cases, the alleged victim’s consent will be a major issue. Regardless of the facts of your case, you should talk to an experienced Saint Lucie sexual battery attorney before you agree to talk to the police. Saint Lucie criminal defense lawyer Jeffrey H. Garland, Esq. has decades of experience aggressively defending people against all levels of criminal charges, including major sex crimes like a sexual battery. Attorney Garland understands the stakes involved and is prepared to build a tailored defense strategy to fight for your freedom and future.

What Is Sexual Battery in Florida?

Under § 794.011(1)(j), Fla. Stat. (2022), sexual battery is defined as vaginal, oral, or anal penetration of the vagina or anus with any object or the perpetrator’s sex organ. Penetration for an authorized medical purpose is excluded. Other definitions that are included in this statute are also important to sexual battery cases. Consent includes voluntary, knowing, and intelligent consent without coercion. Just because an alleged victim doesn’t physically resist the perpetrator does not mean that they have consented to the sexual activity.

A person is deemed as mentally defective if they have a mental defect or disease that temporarily or permanently renders them incapable of understanding the nature of their conduct. A mentally incapacitated person is defined in the statute as someone who is temporarily unable to control or evaluate their conduct because of the influence of an intoxicating substance, anesthetic, or narcotic that was administered without their consent.

The statute defines someone as physically helpless when they are asleep, unconscious, or otherwise physically incapable of communicating their unwillingness to engage in a sex act. A physically incapacitated person is someone who has a bodily impairment that substantially limits their ability to flee or resist.  The statute defines retaliation as including threats of future harm, kidnapping, confinement, physical punishment, false imprisonment, or extortion if the victim refuses the act or physically resists. Finally, serious physical injury includes an injury that causes severe pain, great bodily harm, permanent disfigurement, or permanent disability.

Penalties for Sexual Battery

A conviction for sexual battery in Florida will be a felony, but the severity of the felony will depend on the defendant’s and the victim’s age and other factors. If you have been charged with any of the below it is imperitive you contact a Saint Lucie sexual battery attorney immediately.

The classifications of sexual battery are as follows under § 794.011, Fla. Stat. (2022):

Third-Degree Felony Sexual Battery
  • Offenders younger than 18 – Third-degree felony with a potential sentence of a maximum of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000
Second-Degree Felony Sexual Battery
  • Offenders 18 or older with victims 18 or older without force that would likely result in serious physical injury – Second-degree felony with a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000
  • Offenders younger than 18 with victims aged 12 or older without consent but do not use force that is likely to result in serious personal injury – Second-degree felony with a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000
First-Degree Felony Sexual battery
  • Offenders younger than 18 with victims between the age of 12 but less than 18 – First-degree felony with a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000
  • Offenders with victims ages 12 or older without consent and without using force that would likely result in serious personal injury when the offender has a previous conviction of a qualifying sex crime – First-degree felony with a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000
  • Offenders 18 or older with victims between the ages of 12 and 17 without consent and without using physical force that would likely cause serious personal injury – First-degree felony with a maximum prison sentence of 30 years and a maximum fine of $10,000
  • Offenders 18 or older with victims 12 or older when the victim was physically incapacitated or helpless, the offender coerced the victim’s consent with the threat of violence that would likely result in serious personal injury, the offender coerced the victim by threatening retaliation against the victim or someone else, the offender administered an intoxicating substance, narcotic, or anesthetic to render the victim incapacitated, the victim had a mental defect, the victim was physically incapacitated, or the offender was a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or probation officer – First-degree felony with a maximum prison sentence of 30 years and a maximum fine of $10,000
Sexual Battery as a Life Felony
  • Offenders younger than 18 with victims younger than 12 – Life felony carrying a minimum of 30 years in prison up to life and a maximum fine of $15,000
  • Offenders younger than 18 with victims younger than 12 with an attempted sexual battery that causes injury to the victim’s sexual organs – Life felony carrying a minimum of 30 years in prison up to life and a maximum fine of $15,000
  • Offenders with victims 12 or older without consent and with the use or threatened use of a deadly weapon or actual force that would likely result in serious personal injury – Life felony carrying a minimum of 30 years in prison up to life and a maximum fine of $15,000
Capital Felony Sexual Battery
  • Offenders ages 18 or older with victims younger than 12 when the attempted or completed offense results in injuries to the victim’s sexual organs – Capital felony with a maximum penalty of death

Contact Saint Lucie Sexual Battery Attorney Jeffrey H. Garland, Esq.

If you have learned that the police are investigating you for an alleged sexual battery, or you have already been arrested, you should not talk to the police without an attorney. You should retain an experienced Port Saint Lucie sexual battery attorney as soon as possible. Attorney Jeffrey H. Garland, Esq. has more than four decades of experience defending people against serious criminal allegations, including serious sex crimes. Contact us today to request a consultation by calling (772) 489-2200.

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Client Testimonials

  • Mr. Jeffery Garland has once again came through for me. With in a very short time, after hiring him, all my charges were dropped, one was a felony. Over the years Jeffery has handled a variety of cases for me and I have always had a positive out come. He works hard and knows the law. Jeffery is th best and his price is very reasonable. People I have recommended him to were very pleased with his work I highly recommend him.

    Steven
    Avvo Review
  • “As long as this man knows you are trying to do the right thing from now on he is one of the best always willing to talk he was even able to get 2 different emotions granted for Me the end result was almost exactly what I asked him for the state wanted to give me 6 months 1 year inpatient and 2 years probation I got 2 years probation.”

    James F.
  • Hired an incompetent attorney before finding Mr. Garland. I knew when I first spoke to Mr. Garland that I had made the right decision. He gave me the BEST of his time, service, energy and effort and got me the results that I needed. His work was very detail-oriented and well-written. In the courtroom he is self-confident, respected and assertive when it counts. All charges dropped by prosecutor !! Mr. Garland was also very willing to go to trial for me without hesitation and thankfully it never came to that. Much appreciated. THANK YOU !

    A Satisfied Client

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