Miami Lewd & Lascivious Battery Attorney

What Is Statutory Rape?

Lewd and lascivious battery, also referred to as statutory rape, criminalizes consensual sexual intercourse with a child older than 12 but younger than 16.

What Constitutes Lewd and Lascivious Battery in Florida?

When a person:

• Engages in sexual activity with a person 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age
• Encourages, forces, or entices any person less than 16 years of age to engage in sadomasochistic abuse, sexual bestiality, prostitution, or any other act involving sexual activity

Unawareness of the victim’s age or certainty that the victim was of the age of consent is not a justifiable defense to this offense, even if the victim misrepresented their age in some manner.

What is Lewd and Lascivious Battery?

Lewd and lascivious battery is a second-degree felony. Penalties may vary depending on the specific case. Since this is such a serious offense, you should retain a skilled and experienced defense lawyer in Miami if you have been charged with lewd and lascivious battery.

Lewd and Lascivious Battery Penalties in Florida

A first-time offender charged with lewd and lascivious battery could be facing the following:

• A maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $15,000.
• Mandatory sex offender registration throughout the remainder of their natural life.