Gainesville Sex Crime Defense Lawyers
Whenever you face criminal charges, you should talk to a lawyer before you say anything to police. At no time is this more important than when you are accused of a sex crime.
Sex crimes can carry life-changing consequences such as sex offender registration. Yet in many cases, police do not have enough evidence to even charge a suspect with a crime until the suspect talks to police.
At the law firm of Schackow Mercadante & Edwards in Gainesville, Florida, our lawyers defend people on charges ranging from capital sexual battery, to lewd and lascivious molestation, to possession and distribution of child pornography. We offer a free initial consultation to evaluate your case.
Sex Offenses and Sex Offender Registration
Many people assume that only crimes such as child molestation and sexual battery carry the consequence of sex offender registration. However, even people convicted of offenses such as urinating in public and public exposure can be classified as sex offenders and required to register.
Today, sex offender registration requirements include restrictions on where you can live, notifying police whenever you move, and having your name and picture listed on a sex offender website. In the future, the state of Florida can impose new restrictions and those would apply to all current registered sex offenders.
When juveniles are charged with a sex crime, they may be blind-sided by the requirement to register as a sex offender when they reach age 18. Our goal as your child's attorney is to avoid this devastating consequence.
Defenses in Sex Crime Cases
If you explain your side of an accusation to police, that evidence can and will be used against you at trial. However, if we explain your side, that evidence can't be used against you. We will conduct an independent investigation of the circumstances and the truthfulness of the other person.
To show that you are not a sexual predator, we can obtain a psychological evaluation from a trained professional.
Free attorney consultation: Contact Schackow Mercadante & Edwards in Gainesville, Florida, to talk to a lawyer about your sex offense case.
