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Child Sex Crimes: Being Charged With A Sex Crime Does Not Mean You Are Guilty

At Sheppard, White, Kachergus, & DeMaggio, P.A. Attorneys & Counselors at Law, we have successfully defended individuals against all sorts of sex offenses in Jacksonville, Florida, and beyond. If you have been charged with any sex offense, such as solicitation of a minor, molestation, rape, sexual assault or sexual battery, it does not mean you are guilty of a crime.

Child Sex Crimes

Beyond solicitation cases, our firm defends clients against all types of child sex crime allegations, including molestation, sexual battery and indecent exposure. Florida law treats these offenses as among the most serious in the criminal code, often carrying mandatory minimum sentences and lifetime sex offender registration. These charges can stem from various circumstances such as:

  • Misunderstandings between adults and minors
  • False accusations during contentious custody disputes
  • Mistaken identity or witness misidentification
  • Coerced testimony from young witnesses
  • Lack of evidence beyond uncorroborated statements

We thoroughly investigate each case, challenge questionable evidence, and work with reliable witnesses when necessary. Our attorneys understand the devastating impact these allegations have on your reputation and freedom.

Child Pornography Cases

Child pornography charges involve the possession, distribution, or production of sexually explicit material involving minors. Under both Florida and federal law, these offenses carry extremely harsh penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and lifetime registration requirements. These cases can result from various situations:

  • Forensic analysis revealing complex digital evidence trails
  • Challenging improper search and seizure procedures
  • Determining whether the material was knowingly possessed
  • Addressing cases of accidental downloads or shared devices
  • Investigating potential unauthorized access to your accounts
  • Examining whether there was knowledge of the content or the ages involved

We work diligently to protect your rights against these particularly stigmatizing allegations, employing professionals and aggressive defense strategies tailored to your specific case.

Solicitation Of A Minor

Solicitation of a minor (child enticement) is currently the crime du jour among prosecutors and police officers. It is the crime that prosecutors want to pursue and they are going to great lengths to do so: police officers are trained to reel in innocent people who otherwise would not have committed a crime.

Solicitation typically begins on Craigslist. A police officer, posing as a minor, exchanges emails and texts with the target. Later, the officer sends photos, typically of an adult woman. When the officer believes the target is hooked, the officer will ask, “I’m 13. Is that a problem?”

The problem with this is that the government cannot create a crime – the government cannot fool innocent people into breaking the law. This is entrapment.

In order to gain a conviction, the government must show that the individual was predisposed to commit a crime. These are fact-based, fact-sensitive cases, and the defendant’s own words can determine guilt or innocence.

Do Not Talk To The Police, Call A Lawyer

When you are the subject of a criminal investigation, especially a sex crime investigation, the police certainly are not your friends. They are trying to decide whether to charge you. They are not trying to get your side of the story. They are trying to gather evidence to put you in jail, whether you realize it or not.

If a police officer says he needs to talk to you in order to close the file on a case, do not talk. The officer indeed is trying to close the file. He or she wants you to confess that you have committed a crime, in order to close the file and walk it over to the prosecutor’s office to file charges.

If an officer calls you, it is critical to engage an attorney to make sure your rights are protected. The most damning testimony is the testimony that comes out of your own mouth because a defendant’s words are compelling to a jury.

We Defend Sex Cases

We know the law, and we know how to expose weaknesses in child enticement cases. If you need a criminal defense lawyer, call us at 904-701-0589 or contact us online. We can be reached after hours at 904-233-2443.