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Sex Crimes

Florida is very serious when it comes to sex crimes, and state law takes a very punitive stance on any charge involving a sexual act. While this is necessary to protect true victims from true predators, there are cases of false accusations and/or misunderstandings. No matter what the circumstances of your sex crime case in Hernando County or the surrounding areas may be, as an American citizen you still have rights and are innocent until proven guilty. An experienced Brooksville criminal defense lawyer can help protect these rights while fighting against any alleged offender bias in the court system.

Defense Attorney for Sex Crimes in Brooksville, Florida

A conviction for a sex crime in Hernando County is something that will follow you for the rest of your life, even after you have paid your statutory debt to society. If you have been arrested on a sex crime offense in Spring Hill, Brooksville, North Weeki Wachee, Homosassa Springs, Floral City, Wildwood, Lake Panasoffkee, or anywhere else in Hernando, Sumter, or Citrus County, experienced criminal defense lawyer Ashley Aulls understands your rights as a defendant and knows what it takes to handle a sensitive case like yours.

The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. has practiced law since 1996. Ashley Aulls endeavors to give every client’s case the individual attention it needs, offering open communication and education on the offense at hand to each client. For your consultation on what The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. can do for your Spring Hill area sex crimes case, call (352) 593-4115 today.


Florida Sex Crime Information Center


Florida Sex Crimes in Hernando County Sex crimes are some of the most sensitive offenses that the Florida code has to govern. They are also some of the most detailed and spread out offenses in the Florida statutes. Some of the sex crimes that have been prosecuted in Hernando County and the surrounding areas in Citrus and Sumter Counties include the following:

  • Prostitution: Fla. Stat. § 797.067 – Also known as solicitation, prostitution is the giving or receiving of the body for hire for the purpose of sexual activity. In Florida, it is against the law to offer another or offer to secure another for the purpose of prostitution, to receive or agree to receive into a place and/or permit to remain any person for the purpose of prostitution, to offer or to commit prostitution, to solicit, induce, entice, or procure another to commit prostitution, or to purchase the services of any person engaged in prostitution. Related prostitution offenses include when a person chooses to:
    • Own, establish, maintain, or operate any place, structure, or conveyance for the purpose of prostitution
    • To reside in, enter, or remain in any place, structure, or conveyance for the purpose of prostitution
    • Direct, take, or transport or offer to agree to direct, take, or transport any person to a place, structure, or building with knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that it is facilitating prostitution
  • Sexual Battery: Fla. Stat. § 794.011 – Commonly known simply as rape, sexual battery is when there is oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by or union with the sexual organ of another or any other object. All sexual battery and rape offenses are felonies, with the degree depending on factors like the age and condition of the victim, use of force, and relationship of the alleged offender to the victim.
  • Lewd Conduct: Fla. Stat. §§ 800.02-800.34, 800.09 – Lewd conduct is known as committing any unnatural and lascivious act in Florida Code. This can be any sexually suggestive or blatant action in public. Indecent exposure is considered lewd conduct under Fla. Stat. § 800.03. A mother breastfeeding her baby is the only statutory exception. Other lewd conduct offenses include:
    • Lewd or lascivious battery
    • Lewd or lascivious molestation
    • Lewd or lascivious conduct with a minor under 16
    • Lewd or lascivious exhibition

All of these offenses are handled in a very punitive manner under Florida law and come with severe penalties. Given the highly sensitive nature of these offenses, it is strongly recommended you hire an experienced Brooksville criminal offense attorney. It is best to do so as soon as possible after your arrest so that your defense can begin immediately.


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Penalties for Sex Crimes in Florida The classification of sex offenses in Florida ranges all the way from second-degree misdemeanor to capital felony, depending on the offense. A second-degree misdemeanor sex offense in Hernando County is punishable by up to 60 days and jail and/or a fine up to $500, while a first-degree misdemeanor sex offense comes with up to a year in jail and fines up to $1,000. Felony sex crimes come with the additional required Florida felony sanctions like loss of specific civil rights. Felonies in Florida come in two different types: the type classified by degrees, and the type classified by penalties. Most sex crimes that are felonies in Florida are classified by degrees. Third-degree felony sex crimes have a maximum punishment of five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. Second-degree felony sex offenses come with up to 15 years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine. Sex crimes that are first-degree felonies are punishable by a maximum of 30 years to life and $10,000 in fines. Examples of Florida sex offenses and their specific offense classes include the following: Second-Degree Misdemeanor

  • Lewd conduct or unnatural or lascivious acts with another person
  • Prostitution
    • Any resolution or verdict other than acquittal or dismissal results in $5,000 fine

First-Degree Misdemeanor

  • Lewd conduct, indecent exposure

Third-Degree Felony

  • Lewd or lascivious exhibition by minor to victim under 16
  • Lewd or lascivious conduct by minor to victim under 16
  • Lewd or lascivious molestation by minor to victim 12-16 years old
  • Lewd or lascivious conduct in a correctional facility in front of employee
  • Sexual battery/rape of a minor by person with family or custodial authority, regardless of consent

Second-Degree Felony

  • Lewd or lascivious exhibition by adult to victim under 16
  • Lewd or lascivious conduct by adult with victim under 16
  • Lewd or lascivious conduct by minor with victim under 12
  • Lewd or lascivious molestation by adult with victim 12-16 years old
  • Lewd or lascivious battery by adult with victim 12-16 years old
  • Lewd or lascivious battery with sexual abuse, prostitution, and other sexual acts
  • Sexual battery/rape of victim 12+ years old, no force or violence used

First-Degree Felony

  • Sexual battery/rape of victim 12+ years old who is physically helpless to resist
  • Sexual battery/rape of victim 12+ years old who is physically incapacitated
  • Sexual battery/rape of victim 12+ years old when offender knows or should know he or she is mentally defective
  • Sexual battery/rape of victim 12+ years old with threat of force, violence, or retaliation
  • Sexual battery/rape of victim 12+ years old with involvement of date rape drug or other incapacitating substance
  • Sexual battery/rape of victim 12+ years old when offender is police officer or other law enforcement officer
  • Sexual battery/rape of victim 12+ years old by person with family or custodial authority, regardless of consent

There are also life felonies and capital felonies, which are the felonies classed by penalty type. A conviction for a life felony sex offense will owe a fine up to $15,000 and most likely spend life in prison. A capital felony conviction means the case is eligible for the death penalty. The sex offenses that are life or capital felonies involve the use of force or deadly weapon or a victim who is under 12 years old. Once convicted of a felony sex crime, all sex offenders and sexual predators are required to register with the sheriff’s office in their county per Chapter 775 of the Florida Statutes. Felons convicted of sexual battery, rape, and related offenses must perform this registration process four times a year their entire life. An experienced Spring Hill defense lawyer can help you protect your rights and fight the stigma while defending your case against a charge for a sex crime in Hernando County or the surrounding areas.


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Sex Offender Registration Usually, Individuals convicted of a sex crime in Florida are required to register as a sex offender. There are two designations for these individuals, sexual offenders or sexual predators. Sexual predators are considered more dangerous than sexual offenders. A sexual predator is an individual convicted of a first-degree felony related to sexual misconduct. The information on sexual offenders is made available to the public. Failure to register or provide this information, the individual can be charged with a third-degree felony. A registered sex offender also imposes additional restrictions. Individuals involved in crimes with a child under 16 years, can not live within 1,000 feet of places with a high number of children, such as schools, playgrounds, parks, and daycares. An individual may also find difficulty with finding work. Jobs that involve school, daycare, or recreation will be difficult to attain with a sex offender tag.


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Florida Sex Crime Resources FDLE Reporting Requirements for Sexual Offenders – Follow this link the page on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)’s website that explains the reporting requirements of sex offenders in Florida. The regional office for the FDLE is located at:

Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center 4211 North Lois Avenue Tampa, FL 33614 (813) 878-7300

Brooksville and Lakeland Field Offices – 800-226-1140 ATSA – Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers – The ATSA is a national organization committed to preventing sexual abuse through research, education, shared learning, and evidence-based practice. The organization also supports public policy and community strategies that lead to the effective assessment, treatment, and management of sexual abusers or those at high risk for becoming a sexual abuser. Chapter 794, Florida Statutes – This link goes to Chapter 794 of the online Florida statutes, which governs the sex crimes of rape, sexual battery, and statutory rape. Review each section of the chapter to learn more about rape as a Florida criminal charge, such as penalties and statutory sanctions.


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The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. | Defense Lawyer for Hernando County Sex Crimes If you have been charged with a sex offense in the Brooksville area, you must contact our experienced attorneys here at The Law Office of Ashley Aulls. Our attorneys are knowledgeable and qualified to take your case and will assist in clearing your name. We represent clients throughout the Brooksville area including, Weeki Wachee, High Point, Hernando Beach, Hill ‘n Dale, Inverness Highlands, Sugarmill Woods, Lecanto, Wildwood, Lake Panasoffkee, and Bushnell.

Ashley Aulls has practiced law since 1996 and offers each client he takes on the opportunity of open communication and education on the process. To schedule your consultation with The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A., call (352) 593-4115 today.