Complying with FDLE

Following a conviction of a child sex crime in Florida, a convicted sex offender or predator is subject to harsh consequences. Even after serving a prison sentence or fulfilling additional requirements, a convicted sex offender will face many other challenges throughout his or her life, including complying with many rules and regulations in order to avoid further criminal charges stemming from probation or parole violations. A violation of probation or parole could lead to additional time behind bars.

With Halloween here, convicted sex offenders must make sure they comply with state laws that limit their ability to participate in activities involving children. Violating these laws could result in severe consequences, even if the offender was unaware of committing a violation.

Florida law prohibits sex offenders and predators on supervised probation from handing out candy or other items to children who are trick-or-treating on Halloween.

While parents are warned to check with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Florida Sexual Offenders and Predators website before leading their children through the neighborhood for candy, they could still end up knocking on a convicted sexual offender or predator’s door. Registered sexual offenders and predators are encouraged to not answer their doors and keep their lights off this Halloween. It could be a good idea to go elsewhere while children are trick-or-treating in your neighborhood to avoid any issues.

With the number of registered sex offenders on the rise in Florida, it is important to be aware of what laws you must comply with in order to avoid possible incarceration. In the past five years, the U.S. has seen a 23 percent increase in the number of registered sex offenders. In that same period of time, Florida has seen an increase of 74 percent. While some believe these numbers reveal proactive efforts by law enforcement, these results could be due to unfair undercover police sex traps conducted on a regular basis in communities throughout the state of Florida and overzealous prosecution tactics. In 2011, Polk County alone conducted seven undercover operations and made 306 arrests on child-related sex crimes.

If you have been convicted of a sex crime anywhere in the state of Florida you must comply with various laws in order to avoid additional criminal charges. A Florida Sex Crimes Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can further explain your rights and what you must do to make sure you are in compliance with Florida state laws. Failing to obey the restrictions placed on you by the courts could result in felony charges. Contact a Florida Failure to Register as a Sexual Predator or Sexual Offender Defense Attorney at Whittel & Melton online or call 866-608-5529 today to make sure you are meeting all of your obligations and are not at risk of violating your terms of parole or probation.