Gainesville Sex Crime Attorney

Being charged with a sex offense is a very serious allegation that can ruin your reputation before any legal proceedings take place. If you have been accused of a sex crime, then you probably are quite familiar with the stigma that we are talking about. You may be experiencing some of the fallouts that accompany these charges, like losing your job or having friends and family turn against you. While it may seem bleak right now, the good news is that there is light at the end of the tunnel. You do not have to be alone in this process, and our Gainesville Sex Crime Attorneys at Whittel & Melton are here to make sure that your rights, reputation, and best interests are protected.

Our Gainesville Sex Crime Attorneys at Whittel & Melton are trusted sex crime defense attorneys in Alachua County who have worked tirelessly for years to achieve the best possible outcomes for those facing similar situations as yours. We know the sensitive nature of sex crimes charges and how to handle these cases while doing the least amount of damage to your reputation. Our founding partners as well as several other team members at our firm are former prosecutors, so we know the inner workings of these cases and how they are built from the other side. 

We want to hear more about your situation during a free consultation. Call us now at 352-264-7800 or contact us online. We are available 24/7 to assist with your sex crimes charges.

The state of Florida does not take sex offenses lightly, and because of their severity, they will be investigated to the fullest extent. What does this mean for you? The good news is that this means that the State needs ample evidence in order to prove that the offense occurred. Our Gainesville Sex Crime Attorneys at Whittel & Melton will carefully review all the evidence gathered and identify weaknesses in the case in order to challenge the prosecution’s version of events.

In order to build a successful defense, we may do the following:

• Verify DNA testing
• Examine all forensic evidence
• Challenge false witness testimony
• Investigate the very real possibility of mistaken identity
• Make sure that no political, racial, or economic bias played a role in your arrest

Sex crimes can include rape, possessing or distributing pornography, sexual assault/battery, human trafficking, prostitution, and more. In addition to steep fines and a lengthy prison sentence, Florida requires certain convicted defendants to register as sex offenders or sexual predators following their release from prison or probation. A sexual predator in the state of Florida is an individual who is civilly committed under the Florida Jimmy Ryce Sexually Violent Predator Act and has a written court order designating them a sexual predator. This can be one of the harshest penalties due to the restrictions it places on where you can work and live.

Florida sex crimes registrants must report to their local sheriff's office and provide information that will be made public record, such as:

1. Legal Name
2. Date of Birth
3. Social Security Number
4. Sex
5. Race
6. Height and Weight
7. Hair and eye color
8. Tattoos or any other identifying marks
9. Fingerprints
10. Palm prints
11. Photograph
12. Occupation and current place of employment
13. Residential address (or it must be noted if homeless)
14. Vehicle information
15. Any telephone numbers, including cell phone
16. All electronic mail addresses, Internet identifiers, and each Internet identifier's corresponding website homepage or application software name.
17. Conviction information
18. Passport information
19. Immigration status/documentation
20. Professional license information

Failing to register as a sex offender or predator is considered a felony and you could be facing very serious penalties if you fail to fulfill your obligations.

Our Gainesville Sex Crime Attorneys at Whittel & Melton are dedicated to keeping our clients off of this registry whenever possible. Even in certain situations where the defendant has been found guilty, we may be able to have the crime classified as something else in order to bypass the sex offender registration process. We cannot make any guarantees regarding your specific legal matter, but we will do whatever we can to protect your future and secure a positive outcome that you can live with. We urge you to act fast and get in touch with us as soon as possible so that we can discuss the facts of your case and formulate the best possible defense strategy.

Schedule your FREE consultation with our Gainesville Sex Crime Attorneys at Whittel & Melton today. Call 352-264-7800 or contact us online to get started.