Statutory Rape Lawyer in Clermont

Criminal Defense Backed by More than 40 Years of Combined Experience

An allegation involving a minor can lead to a criminal investigation, an arrest, and serious questions about what happens next. Florida doesn’t use statutory rape as one uniform criminal charge. The applicable offense can depend on the ages involved, the alleged conduct, the statute prosecutors rely on, and the evidence collected by law enforcement.

If investigators contact you, contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Don’t provide a substantive statement before receiving legal advice. You have constitutional rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to consult counsel. At The Law Offices of Justin Rickman, our statutory rape attorneys in Clermont can review what you know about the allegation, explain the immediate concerns, and outline what to do next.

We represent people facing high-stakes criminal matters from our Clermont office. We explain realistic possibilities in plain language, prepare clients for each stage of the case, and keep communication moving as new information develops.

Call (888) 835-5840 today or fill out our online contact form to schedule your initial consultation.

Florida Age-of-Consent Laws & Statutory Rape Allegations

The age of consent doesn’t resolve every allegation involving someone under 18. Florida law treats conduct involving 16- and 17-year-olds differently from conduct involving a person under 16, and the legal significance of consent can depend on the specific statute at issue.

Florida Statute § 794.05 addresses unlawful sexual activity with certain minors. It applies when a person age 24 or older allegedly engages in sexual activity with a person who is 16 or 17. Florida Statute § 800.04 addresses several lewd or lascivious offenses involving people under 16, including lewd or lascivious battery and lewd or lascivious molestation.

These distinctions matter from the beginning of a case. Our Clermont statutory rape attorneys evaluate the alleged conduct and ages alongside the charge actually being investigated or filed rather than treating every accusation involving a minor as the same offense.

Florida Charges Commonly Called Statutory Rape

Florida prosecutors may use different statutes in cases commonly described as statutory rape. Each offense has its own elements, classification, and possible sentencing consequences. We walk clients through the charge in plain language so they understand the realistic best-case and worst-case possibilities before making important decisions.

Under Florida Statute § 794.05, a person who is 24 or older and engages in defined sexual activity with a person who is 16 or 17 commits a second-degree felony. A second-degree felony can carry up to 15 years in prison under Florida Statute § 775.082, along with other consequences that depend on the sentencing law and case facts.

Lewd or Lascivious Offenses

Florida Statute § 800.04 contains separate offenses involving people under 16. Lewd or lascivious battery and lewd or lascivious molestation have different elements, and the classification can vary with the alleged conduct and ages of those involved. Some allegations can expose a person to a second-degree felony, while certain allegations involving a child under 12 can carry a life felony classification.

A charge label alone doesn’t answer every legal question. We review the arrest paperwork, investigative reports, available digital communications, witness statements, and other evidence to determine what prosecutors must prove under the statute they chose.

Sex-Offender Registration & Other Consequences

Sex-offender registration doesn’t arise simply because someone makes an accusation or because an arrest occurs. Whether registration applies depends on the offense of conviction or plea, the disposition, age-related facts, and Florida registration law. That analysis should happen before a person accepts a plea or makes another decision that could affect the rest of their life.

A registration requirement can involve reporting duties and public-record exposure. It can also affect housing, employment, education, travel, and family life. Our statutory rape lawyers in Clermont explain these potential consequences early so clients aren’t blindsided by a decision made during a stressful moment.

Romeo and Juliet Registration Relief

Florida’s Romeo and Juliet provision concerns possible relief from registration requirements in qualifying circumstances. It doesn’t automatically make alleged conduct lawful or erase a charge. Eligibility depends on statutory requirements, including the ages of the parties, the offense, the disposition, and other facts.

Defense Issues in a Statutory Rape Case

Being investigated or charged doesn’t establish guilt. Our case assessment starts with the statutory elements. The prosecution must be able to prove the required facts under the particular offense, using admissible and reliable evidence.

Potential issues can include whether the alleged conduct fits the charged statute, the timing and consistency of statements, the reliability of witness accounts, the handling of digital evidence, and whether police followed constitutional limits during a search or interrogation. We investigate the evidence and develop a structured defense plan based on the facts of the case.

Consent, lack of chastity, and a belief about a person’s age aren’t universal defenses. For offenses under Florida Statute § 800.04, the statute expressly limits reliance on those issues. However, the relevant facts, the charged offense, the evidence, and the conduct of the investigation must all be examined carefully.

Searches, Statements & Constitutional Rights

Law enforcement must respect constitutional protections when seeking evidence or questioning a suspect. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fifth Amendment includes protections related to compelled self-incrimination, and the Sixth Amendment addresses the right to counsel after criminal proceedings begin.

Whether a constitutional issue affects a case depends on what happened, when it happened, and what evidence the government seeks to use. We evaluate those questions alongside the factual allegations and keep clients informed about the options available at each stage.

How We Prepare Clients for Clermont Sex-Crime Cases

Criminal cases can involve an investigation, a charging decision, first appearance or bond proceedings, discovery, motions, negotiations, hearings, and trial preparation. The order and timing vary based on the charge, custody status, evidence, prosecution decisions, and the court. Florida limitation periods also vary by offense and circumstances.

Our legal team brings more than 40 years of combined experience to criminal defense matters. Our founder has more than 20 years in practice, and our litigation attorney spent nearly a decade as a public defender. Our paralegals are central to case management, helping us keep documents, deadlines, and communication organized throughout the matter.

We return calls and messages promptly, explain legal developments without unnecessary jargon, and prepare clients for hearings or trial by discussing what to expect. As statutory rape lawyers serving Clermont, we provide direction without making promises that the facts and law can’t support.

Representation in Clermont, Lake County & Four Corners

At The Law Offices of Justin Rickman, we serve clients in Clermont and throughout the Central Florida Four Corners region, including Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Polk counties. Criminal procedure and courthouse practices can differ by jurisdiction, so we account for the court’s procedures and practices when preparing each case.

Whether you have been arrested, received a call from an investigator, or learned that an allegation may be developing, we provide direct communication and personal attention during a difficult legal matter.

Get Clear Guidance before Taking Your Next Step

Contact us for a confidential consultation to discuss the allegation, your immediate concerns, and the legal process that may follow.

We can explain your options and prepare you for likely next steps. Based in Clermont, we return calls promptly, explain legal developments in plain language, and prepare clients for each stage of the process.

Call (888) 835-5840 to speak with our team confidentially.