Apopka Woman to Serve Two Years Behind Bars for Sex with Teen

Whittel & Melton, LLC 866-608-5529 – Florida Sex Crime Attorneys

A 33-year-old Apopka, FL woman arrested in April for allegedly engaging in a brief sexual relationship with a teen was sentenced to two years in prison and eight years of sex-offender probation by a judge on Friday.

The woman accused of exchanging hundreds of text messages with the teen, plead no contest to one count of sexual activity with a 16- or 17-year-old minor.

According to an arrest report, she asked the teen to keep their supposed relationship under wraps because she feared if word got out she may lose her children.

Many criminal matters are resolved through plea negotiations. These negotiations are worked out between the prosecution and the defense before proceeding to trial and usually involve an agreement of a reduced charge or minimal penalties. Plea agreements may help someone accused of a serious crime avoid jail or prison time in exchange for a plea to a lesser crime or possibly even probation. Sometimes it is in the best interest of the accused to consider a plea if there is a significant chance that proceeding to trial will result in a conviction, but that is something a Florida Sex Crimes Trial Attorney can help you decide.

The three most common pleas in Florida criminal cases are not guilty, guilty and no contest. No contest , also referred to as nolo contendere, means that a person is not technically admitting any guilt, but is allowing the court to determine their punishment. When a plea of guilty or no contest is entered, it is important to understand that certain basic rights are surrendered. Before a judge can accept a plea of no contest , the trial judge must:

• Accept the Plea
• Acknowledge that the accused understands the plea and the consequences that go with
• That you are voluntarily entering the plea on your own accord and not by force

When you or someone you love has been charged with a sex crime, it is never in your best interest to enter a plea of not guilty or no contest before speaking with a Florida Sex Crimes Attorney. A Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer can review the facts of your case and advise you of any favorable resolutions. Before any pleas are entered, it is necessary to fully comprehend the ramifications of a no contest plea under Florida law.

If you or someone you care for faces a sex crimes charge anywhere in the state of Florida, contact the Florida Sex Crimes Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or dial us toll-free at 866-608-5529.