What to Do If You've Been Accused of a Sexual Crime

The Villages is a sprawling community in Orlando that scores of 55 and over residents call home. In such a large community, there are a significant amount of romantic liaisons, and sometimes these relationships can go sour. In extreme cases, community members may find themselves accused of sexual crimes or sexual assault.

Sexual crimes are serious allegations that must be defended vigorously, particularly if you believe you’ve been falsely accused. If you’ve been involved in an allegation of sexual violence or abuse, contact a The Villages criminal defense lawyer to determine the best course of action. Your attorney can explain the various degrees of sexual abuse crimes, and outline some potential defenses to ensure that these allegations are cleared and that your reputation remains intact.

A sexual crime doesn’t always amount to an assault. You can face criminal charges for conduct perceived as lewd, lascivious, indecent or otherwise offensive to those around you. For example, exposing yourself in public or being caught performing a sexual act in public can amount to a sexual crime that carries criminal penalties.

Beyond these acts, the most serious sexual crimes include sexual assault or battery. Sexual assault occurs when a person forces themselves onto their victim and performs a sexual act. Sexual assault crimes can definitely occur even in committed relationships between domestic partners or husband and wife. These allegations carry serious penalties, including jail time, and in Florida would land the convicted person on a sex offender registry. These charges amount to very serious consequences, impacting a person’s ability to obtain housing, jobs, and trust within their community.

As in all criminal cases, a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty, and the burden of proof will fall on the prosecution. The Villages criminal defense lawyer’s first step in defending your case will be to determine whether the prosecution has enough evidence or witness testimony to lead to a possible conviction. They will then set out to gather conclusive evidence of their own, such as an alibi that places you elsewhere at the time of the crime, or testimony that suggests that you are incapable of committing the crime of which you’re being accused.

Because false accusations in these situations do tend to occur, your attorney may wish to pursue this defense in order to prove your innocence. Your attorney will look to dismantle your accuser’s credibility in court, sourcing evidence that undermines their trustworthiness. If they have a history of making false accusations, have been caught in lies, or have committed crimes of their own, it may be possible to prove to a jury that their testimony should not be considered valid.

Being accused of a sexual crime is scary, but you don’t have to face the ordeal alone. There are highly experienced attorneys working within The Villages community that can ensure your case is handled with sensitivity. If you find yourself at the center of this unfortunate occurrence, be sure to contact an attorney today.