Your Defense Against Statutory Rape Charges in Orlando
Florida law prohibits a person under the age of 16 from having sex. Florida law also criminalizes certain types of sexual relations with minors, even if the minor is above the age of consent. A person may be charged with statutory rape, even if the sex was consensual, if the alleged perpetrator was over the age of 24 and the victim was between the ages of 16 and 17.
At The Bigney Law Firm in Orlando, Florida, our criminal defense lawyers are dedicated to protecting you from the life-changing consequences you would face if you are convicted of a sex crime like statutory rape. We offer a free initial consultation to evaluate your case and explore defenses.
Statutory Rape Defenses
Consent is not a defense in statutory rape cases, since the court presumes that an alleged victim who is under 16 years old does not have the ability to give consent. Nor is it a defense that the minor misrepresented his or her age or you had a mistaken belief regarding a minor's age. Even if you met the girl in a night club and she showed you a fake ID that said she was 21, you can still be charged with statutory rape if she is too young.
Our first steps in creating a defense against statutory rape charges are to get your side of the story and to examine the state's evidence. Based on the evidence against you, our lawyers will determine what we need to counteract it.
Free Case Evaluation
If you face statutory rape charges, your best defense is to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. To schedule a free case evaluation with an attorney at the Bigney Law Firm, call 407-792-2923 any time of the day or night or fill out our contact form. For your convenience, our office is located in downtown Orlando, Florida, one block behind the courthouse. Se habla Español.
