The legal definition of statutory rape in Florida depends on the age of the people engaged in sexual activity. Generally, statutory rape involves an adult engaging in sexual activity with a minor. However, there are exceptions to that rule. Since the potential criminal penalties for statutory rape include many years in prison, registration as a sex offender, and other serious consequences, it’s essential to understand the law and how you can defend yourself with the help of a board certified Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer.

In Florida, you may be charged with statutory rape if you are:

A conviction could change your life.

You must be convicted or agree to a plea agreement before any penalty is imposed.

The Romeo and Juliet defense can be used in a statutory rape case if the individuals involved are close in age and engaged in a consensual relationship.  

The defense hinges on the principle that prosecuting young individuals who are only a few years apart in age for consensual sexual activity undermines the intent of age of consent laws, which primarily seek to protect minors from exploitation and non-consensual sexual activity. 

For the Romeo and Juliet defense to be effective, certain conditions must be met:

The Romeo and Juliet defense does not make the sexual activity legal. You could still face a criminal conviction and sentence. However, it would keep you off of the Sex Offender Registry and prevent you from the lifelong consequences of being labeled as a sex offender.

You may be able to defend yourself against statutory rape charges by:

An experienced sex crimes defense lawyer will consider every aspect of your case and explain your legal options to you.