Tampa Criminal Attorney

A tampa criminal lawyer answers for incident exposure charges

If you have recently been arrested for indecent exposure or Exposure of Sex Organs in Tampa, the experience can be both frightening and embarrassing. Accidently exposing one’s sex organs in public could happen to anyone.

Incident Exposure & Public Urination

Often cities do not provide adequate bathroom facilities. When a city does not provide any public restrooms, what option does one have? What about ordinary people? What about a woman who leaves a bar or restaurant in Ybor City or downtown St. Petersburg after closing hours? If she needs to use a restroom on the way home, she must take the same risk of exposing herself as a homeless person faces. She may have to urinate in public. Thus, when a person has no choice, the police can easily charge him or her with incident exposure. In St. Petersburg, a lack of public bathrooms lead to legal action.

What does florida law say about an exposure charge?

Now let’s clarify how Florida Law specifically defines this offense. According to section 800.03 of the Florida Statutes:

It is unlawful to expose or exhibit one’s sexual organs in public or on the private premises of another, or so near thereto as to be seen from such private premises, in a vulgar or indecent manner, or to be naked in public except in any place provided or set apart for that purpose. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. A mother's breastfeeding of her baby does not under any circumstance violate this section.

Florida’s Indecent Exposure Law

As you can see, it is not difficult for the police to charge someone with exposure. Nevertheless, Florida's exposure laws can be vague, and this offense can be difficult to prove.

However, exposure is a serious charge. A conviction has grave consequences. Speak with William Hanlon today. When you or a loved one has been charged with any kind of sex offense, you need experienced legal advice.

internet sex crimes

NBC’s popular Dateline segment To Catch a Predator isn’t fictional; this show evidences methodical stings by the FBI and sheriff's offices to coordinate and crack down on child pornography. Well-executed stings carefully monitor who is in child pornography chat rooms and tracks the pornographic images people download.

tampa internet sex crime attorneys

If you are concerned that your computer has been tapped, then law enforcement may be developing a case against you. Do not delay. You need an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. At The Florida Defense Group in Tampa, we have aggressively defended clients since 1996, and we are prepared to protect your rights.

Florida Law, sex offenses

• § Solicitation of a Minor
• § Child Pornography
• § Online Solicitation

Over fifteen years of criminal law experience

More than twelve years ago, attorney Will Hanlon founded our law firm after seeing many people mistreated by law enforcement and the criminal justice system. As a criminal attorney in Tampa for the last fifteen years, Mr. Hanlon is committed to the zealous defense of his clients. He cares about his clients’ future and is dedicated to vigorously protecting their rights.

In his years of criminal defense work, he has defended clients accused of serious sex crimes. He understands the tactics police officers use to coerce and mislead suspects into making incriminating statements. Contact us if law enforcement has asked to speak with you. Our role is to question the credibility of the evidence against you, working to suppress any evidence that was illegally obtained.

Internet possession and solicitation crimes

847.0135 Computer pornography; traveling to meet a minor

• § Child exploitation act
• § Advertisement of Minorsʼ name
• § Solicitation of a child or minor
• § Distribution of child pornography
• § Traveling to meet a minor

We begin our investigation immediately to determine if anyone else had access to your computer. William Hanlon has worked closely with forensic computer experts who identify exactly when images were downloaded or deleted. This evidence will help us determine if someone other than yourself viewed those images, such as your roommate or child. You may have witnesses who can testify that you were out of the house, at work or somewhere when the child pornography images were viewed or downloaded.

In William Hanlon's years as a Tampa criminal lawyer, he has developed relationships with Internet specialists and computer analysts who can determine how many separate child pornography images were viewed or downloaded. This evidence will help us explain that the images may have been accidently downloaded on to your hard drive, but never viewed. We use experts to ensure that evidence is reveled as part of your defense case.

As a last step, we negotiate with prosecutors in an attempt to reduce the charge from child pornography possession to a lesser charge. We work with a psychologist to demonstrate that you do not pose a risk to the community.

Romeo & Juliet Law explained by a Tampa Criminal attorney

The Romeo and Juliet law addresses penalties for consensual sexual relationships between teenage minors and young adults, and serves to remedy some of the worst consequences of a statutory rape conviction. A convicted individual may petition for removal from the sexual offender registry if they were required to register as a sexual offender solely on the basis of the statutory rape conviction, if they were no more than four years older than the victim of the offense, and if the victim was between the ages of 14 and 17 at the time of the offense.

Any minor charged with a sex crime faces serious criminal charges, but you can take action and get your son or daughter's life back. At the Florida Defense Group in Tampa, we can help you understand your options following a statutory rape conviction and seek to remove your child's name from Florida's sex offender registry.

Florida changes its statutory rape law, why?

If you qualify, a petition must be filed in the court where you were sentenced. The petition must specifically allege that all of the criteria for removal are satisfied, and that removal from the registry will not conflict with federal law. If everything is in order, and all of the procedural requirements are met, the judge may consider removal. Because of these detailed requirements and the fact that after a denial you are strictly prohibited from refiling, the assistance of an experienced attorney can make all the difference.

Avoid life as a convicted sex offender

As a minor, the last thing you want is a sex crime conviction on your record. In addition to immediate juvenile penalties and probation, you could have to register as a sex offender. With the right criminal defense, you can clear your record and avoid having to register as a sex offender.

Tampa Criminal Lawyers

In most cases, it is illegal for minors to have consensual sex in Florida. However, the state understands that there should be a distinction between Florida's statutory rape law and other, more severe sex crimes. At The Florida Defense Group in Florida, we can help you understand your options. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

criminal defense lawyer explains sex crime

Rape or sexual battery (Florida law identifies rape as sexual battery) allegations are not black-and-white. This complicated area of the law often hinges on contradictory details, scientific data and a lack of third-party witnesses.

Tampa criminal law attorney explains police investigations

If you think the allegations against you will be dismissed if you just tell your side of the story, think again. Any information you provide to law enforcement representatives will be used against you. At The Florida Defense Group in Tampa, we are experienced criminal defense attorneys, ready to protect your rights.

Tampa Criminal Defense Law Firm

For more than 15 years, Will Hanlon has vigorously protected clients accused of serious sex crimes. This is a complex legal area, often requiring the sorting out of testimony from the accused, acquaintances, ex-spouses, relatives, and friends. We have successfully represented clients falsely accused of rape and other sex crimes by a vindictive former spouse or girlfriend.

William Hanlon is a criminal lawyer who is committed to aggressively protecting clients from false rape and sexual battery allegations. We carefully investigate each case to determine if the plaintiff has ulterior motives behind their allegations. Our firm's lawyers work closely with psychologists to examine the mental state of the person making the charges.

We use this testimony to reveal contradictory details and undercut the prosecutors' case. In his fifteen years as a criminal attorney, Mr. Hanlon extensive experience challenging the validity of DNA results, as well as any procedural issues involved with how the DNA was collected. He is an experienced criminal defense attorney, prepared to represent you when you have been charged with serious allegations.

Consensual sexual relationships that begin legal could become illegal when a young adult turns 18. We have experience protecting clients using the Romeo and Juliet law.

florida’s molestation law & a polygraph

Once someone becomes the target of a police investigation in which sexual abuse has been alleged, the suspect may feel an inclination to speak with the investigating officer(s). Particularly in a sex abuse case such as child molestation, a suspect who speaks with the police without an criminal attorney present is always at a distinct disadvantage. How the police and prosecutors handle this case is one reason. Will Hanlon knows first hand how the police conduct these type of investigations.

The Dangers of a Polygraph Test

Molestation and sexual battery cases sometimes cause the police to use a polygraph exam to compel information from a suspect:

Some Police officers use the perceived reliability of the polygraph to coerce a confession. They might interrupt a polygraph examination to confront the suspect by saying, 'The polygraph is indicating that you are being deceptive, do want to tell us what really happened' . The machine may not be indicating deception at all, but it will not stop some officers from pursuing a suspect in this manner if they feel they have committed the crime. Read more

Speaking to the police to explain your side of the story may seem reasonable to you. However, as this example shows, speaking with an experienced criminal attorney is a much better decision.

sex offenses examined by a Tampa criminal attorney

Your life could be forever damaged by a mere allegation of sexual misconduct. A sex crime conviction exposes you to severe penalties including prison time, probation, and registration as a sex offender.

Will Hanlon will make sure you get the chance to tell your side of the story and will help clear your name when you have been falsely accused.

Florida recently implemented a statute known as the “Romeo and Juliet” law to minimize excessive penalties when certain young adults had sexual contact with minors. If you are a young adult who had sexual relations with another minor, Will is a Tampa criminal lawyer who will fight to prevent a wrongful conviction or an unjust sentence which will affect the rest of your life.

Sexual assault allegations & advise from a Tampa Criminal Lawyer

One sex crime conviction could result in your registering as a sex offender for 25 years. We will help you fight every aspect of your sex charge, which includes avoiding prison time and other additional penalties which will affect where you can live and work.

A sex crime accusation should never be taken lightly. At our Tampa law firm, we vigorously protect clients charged with serious offenses—from sexual battery to statutory rape.

Experience in a variety of sex offense cases, including:

• § Date rape
• § Sexual assault
• § Indecent exposure
• § Statutory rape
• § Child molestation
• § Possession of child pornography
• § Failure to register as a sex offender
• § Computer pornography

With his 15 years of experience, Will has gained a deep understanding into the complicated nature of a sex offense charge. His case results can help you understand what challenges you face when threatened with this type of charge.

To learn more about those criminal case results which are related to your case, read more»

Avoid an Unjust Registered Sex Offender Status in Tampa

William has protected the rights of clients who have been accused of a variety of sex crimes in Florida. Often, the most damaging evidence is gathered when a defendant talks to the police without talking to a lawyer first. The sooner you contact Will Hanlon, an experienced criminal defense lawyer, the sooner he can advise you on your case and help you minimize the potential penalties.

Putting together the best sex crimes defense means considering every aspect of your case. He will fight to force a dismissal of the charge and minimize all potential consequences. The actions you take now could make all the difference between a clean record and registration as a sex offender.

Whether you face false accusations of statutory rape or Internet sex crimes, don't let a conviction ruin your life. Having to register as a sex offender will impact every aspect of your life, including child custody and financial matters.

The criminal defense representation you get will have a major impact on your sex offender registration status. At our office we can help you protect your rights. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

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