Criminal Defense · Jeff T. Gorman Law Offices

Florida Sex Crimes Defense
Every Accused Person Deserves
Vigorous Legal Defense.

Sex crime charges carry some of the most severe consequences of any criminal offense in Florida — mandatory prison sentences, lifetime sex offender registration, and collateral consequences that affect housing, employment, and every relationship you have. A charge is not a conviction. Every person accused of a sex crime is entitled to the most rigorous defense the law allows, and that is what Jeff T. Gorman Law Offices provides.

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Jeff T. Gorman
Jeff T. Gorman
Founding Attorney · FL Bar #538183
100+
Felony Jury Trials
19th
Circuit Former Prosecutor
4.9★
Google Rating · 260+ Reviews
“I prosecuted more felony jury trials than any other attorney in the 19th Circuit. I know exactly how the State builds its case — and exactly how to take it apart.”
What Makes Sex Crime Cases Particularly High-Stakes
●Allegations alone — without physical evidence — are frequently sufficient to support charges and, in some cases, convictions
●Forensic interviews of child victims conducted by trained interviewers specifically designed to elicit consistent, court-ready statements
●Mandatory sex offender registration upon conviction — lifelong public listing, residency restrictions, and community notification
●Mandatory minimum prison sentences for many offenses regardless of the individual’s circumstances or background
●Immediate and severe public stigma that affects your life, career, and family before any trial even begins

What the Evidence Shows —
and Where It Can Be Challenged

The principle that every person accused of a crime is innocent until proven guilty applies with full force to sex crime charges. A charge is an accusation — and accusations in sex crime cases can arise from misunderstanding, false allegations, fabricated complaints, or genuine mistakes in perception or memory. The job of a defense attorney is to demand that the State prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt through rigorous challenge to every element of the evidence.

Jeff T. Gorman Law Offices takes sex crime defense cases with the same level of preparation and advocacy we bring to every matter. We scrutinize the investigation, the forensic interview process, the physical evidence, the DNA analysis, and the credibility of every witness. We retain independent experts when necessary. We file every appropriate motion. And when the case goes to trial, we present a defense that is complete, compelling, and built to meet the State’s evidence head-on.

⚖️ Florida Sex Crime Law — Charges & Consequences
Florida’s primary sex crime statutes: Sexual Battery (Florida Statute §794.011) — second-degree felony (up to 15 years) to capital felony (life or death) depending on victim age and circumstances. Lewd or Lascivious Offenses (Florida Statute §800.04) — multiple offenses involving victims under 16, ranging from second- to first-degree felonies. Sex Offender Registration (Florida Statute §943.0435): mandatory upon conviction; residency restrictions, employment restrictions, and public notification apply. Jimmy Ryce Act (Florida Statute §394.910): civil commitment of sexually violent predators following sentence completion — potentially indefinite confinement well beyond the criminal sentence.
Florida Statute §794.011 (Sexual Battery) · Florida Statute §800.04 (Lewd & Lascivious Offenses) · Florida Statute §943.0435 (Sex Offender Registry) · Florida Statute §394.910 (Jimmy Ryce Civil Commitment Act)

How We Fight This Charge

Challenging the Accusation
We investigate the full circumstances surrounding the accusation — relationship history, motivations, prior communications, and conduct inconsistent with the allegation — to identify and expose false or exaggerated claims.
Forensic Interview Analysis
Child forensic interviews must follow strict protocols. Suggestive questioning, leading language, and improper techniques can contaminate the resulting statement and undermine its reliability at trial.
DNA & Physical Evidence
We retain independent forensic experts to review DNA analysis, physical evidence, and medical examination findings for errors, alternative explanations, and chain of custody issues.
Consent Defense
When the alleged conduct occurred and consent is the central dispute, we build the evidence of consent through communications, relationship history, and conduct inconsistent with non-consent.
False Allegation Investigation
We conduct thorough investigation into the alleged victim’s history, motivations, prior conduct, and any incentives to fabricate or exaggerate the allegation.
Constitutional Challenges
Confessions obtained without Miranda warnings, unlawful searches of electronic devices, and improper interrogation of a represented person are all grounds for suppression of evidence.
Notable Results
NOT GUILTY
Sexual Battery · Jury Trial · No Corroborating Physical Evidence
DISMISSED
Lewd & Lascivious Charges · Insufficient Evidence · Pre-Trial
ACQUITTED
Sex Crime Charges · False Allegation Established · Jury Trial

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case details available upon request.

Common Questions

Sex Crimes Defense Attorney FAQ

What are the consequences of a sex crime conviction in Florida beyond prison? +
A sex crime conviction in Florida requires registration on the Florida Sex Offender Registry under Florida Statute §943.0435, with requirements lasting 25 years or for life depending on the offense. Sex offenders face residency restrictions (1,000-2,500 feet from schools, parks, bus stops, and other designated locations), employment restrictions, electronic monitoring in some cases, and community notification. These collateral consequences routinely outlast the prison sentence by decades and affect housing, employment, and every personal relationship.
Can sex crime charges be successfully defended in Florida? +
Yes. A criminal charge is an accusation — not a conviction. Sex crime cases are frequently defended successfully based on: false allegations motivated by custody disputes, divorce, financial incentives, or revenge; lack of physical evidence corroborating the allegation; inconsistencies in the alleged victim's account; alibi evidence; DNA evidence that excludes the defendant; improper forensic interview techniques that contaminated the resulting statement; and constitutional violations in gathering evidence. Every accused person is entitled to a vigorous defense.
What is sexual battery under Florida law? +
Florida uses the term 'sexual battery' rather than rape or sexual assault. Sexual battery (Florida Statute §794.011) is the oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by or union with the sexual organ of another without consent, or where consent was obtained by force, threat, or when the victim was incapable of consent. The degree of offense ranges from second-degree felony (up to 15 years) to capital felony (life or death) depending on the age of the victim and the circumstances.
What is Florida's statute of limitations for sex crimes? +
Florida has extended or eliminated the statute of limitations for many sex offenses. For capital sexual battery involving a victim under 12, there is no statute of limitations. For sexual battery with force or violence, the period is 8 years. For lewd or lascivious offenses against victims under 16, the limitations period runs until the victim's 18th birthday or 8 years from the offense, whichever is later. Historical accusations — sometimes decades old — can still result in prosecution today.
Related Practice Areas
Felony Defense
Most sex crimes are serious felonies with mandatory minimums and significant prison exposure.
Federal Criminal Defense
Federal sex crime charges including CSAM carry separate federal prosecution and sentencing guidelines.
Criminal Appeals
Post-conviction relief when sex crime convictions resulted from legal error or ineffective assistance of counsel.
Free Consultation · 24/7

Sex Crime Charges?
You Deserve a Defense
That Demands Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt.

A charge is not a conviction. The State must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt — and we hold them to that standard at every single step of the process. Call (772) 888-8888 for a completely confidential consultation.

(772) 888-8888 PSL: (772) 236-5203 Free Online Consultation

Free initial consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Florida Bar Rules 4-7.1 through 4-7.20 apply.