Sexual Battery Crimes

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Attorney Edward J. Chandler has successfully represented numerous clients in criminal cases throughout Broward, Dade and Palm beach Counties in the State of Florida. Edward J. Chandler prides himself on aggressive representation with a personal touch.

In addition to personally handling your case, Edward J. Chandler, Esq. will be available to you during every step of the process. Edward J. Chandler guarantees that you and your case will receive his undivided attention.

Call the Law Offices of Edward J. Chandler, P.A. at (954) 788-1355 - Your phone consultation is free and completely confidential. If you are charged with a sexual battery crime in Florida under F.S. 794.011, Florida's Sexual Battery Statute provides as follows:

Sexual Battery - Florida law defines the term “sexual battery” to mean vaginal, oral, or anal union with or penetration by the sexual organ of another or the vaginal or anal penetration of another by any other object. If the touching was done for any bona fide medical purpose, then Florida law specifically excludes that conduct from the definition of sexual battery.

Victim of Sexual Battery - Florida law defines the term "victim" to mean any person who has been the object of a sexual offense such as sexual battery or aggravated sexual battery.

Sexual Battery Offender - Florida law defines the term "offender" to mean any person accused of a sexual offense in violation of a provision of this chapter such as sexual battery or aggravated sexual battery.

Consent - Florida law defines the term “consent” to mean any voluntary, knowing or intelligent consent. The definition of consent does not include any "coerced submission" that occurs because of the failure by the alleged victim to offer physical resistance against the offender.

Penalties for Sexual Battery
Florida law provides for certain punishments or penalties based on several factors including the age of the victim, the age of the offender, whether the offender used any actual physical force that was likely to cause any serious personal injury, and whether the offender used or threatened to use a deadly weapon.
The punishments for sexual battery range from a capital or punishable by life penalties to first, second, or third degree felony penalties. Under the Jimmy Rios-Martinez, Jr. Act of 1992, any person who is convicted of committing a sexual battery after October 1, 1992 is not eligible for basic gain-time under Florida Statute Section 944.275.

Sexual Battery - Capital Felony under Florida Law
If the act of sexual battery is committed by an offender over the age of 17 against a person who is less than 12 years of age and the victim suffers from any personal injury to a sexual organ as a result, then the crime is punished as a capital felony under Florida law.

Sexual Battery - Punishable by Life Felony under Florida Law

If the act of sexual battery is committed by an offender who is 17 years old or under against a person who is less than 12 years of age and the victim suffers from any personal injury to a sexual organ as a result, then the crime is punished by life in Florida State Prison.

If the act of sexual battery is committed against a person who is 12 years of age or older without the person's consent, and in the process of committing the act of sexual battery, the offender either uses actual physical force likely to cause serious personal injury or threatens to use or actually uses a deadly weapon, then the crime is punishable by life in Florida State Prison.

Sexual Battery - First Degree Felony

It is a felony in the first degree, punishable by 30 years in Florida State Prison, if the act of sexual battery is committed upon the victim who is 12 years old or older without the alleged victim's consent under the following circumstances:

Physically Helpless - When the victim is physically helpless to resist. Florida law defines the term "physically helpless" to mean being asleep, unconscious, or unable to communicate an unwillingness to participate in the act for any other reason.

Serious Personal Injury - When the offender coerces the victim to submit by using violence likely to cause serious personal injury on the victim or even threatening to use force when the victim reasonably believes that the offender has the present ability to execute the threat. Florida law defines the term serious personal injury to mean permanent disfigurement, permanent disability, great bodily pain or great bodily harm.

Retaliation - When the offender coerces the victim to submit by threatening to retaliate against the victim, or any third person, and the victim reasonably believes that the offender has the ability to execute the threat in the future. Under the Florida statutes for sexual battery or aggravated sexual battery, the term "retaliation" is defined to include any threats of kidnapping, false imprisonment, physical punishment, extortion or forcible confinement.

Mentally Incapacitated - When the offender, without the consent or prior knowledge of the victim, administers any intoxicating substance, anesthetic or narcotic which physically or mentally incapacitates the victim. Florida law defines the term "mentally incapacitated" to mean being temporarily incapable of controlling or appraising the victim's own conduct due to the influence of an intoxicating substance, anesthetic, or narcotic administered without the victim's consent or due to any other act committed upon the victim without consent.

Mentally Defective - When the victim is mentally defective and the offender has actual knowledge or this fact or has reason to believe the victim has a mental disease. Florida law defines "mentally defective" as any mental defect or disease which renders a alleged victim either permanently or temporarily incapable of appraising the nature of his or her conduct. An individual who is mentally defective under Florida law may not be able to consent to any sexual act which could constitute sexual battery or aggravated sexual battery.

Physically Incapacitated - When the victim is physically incapacitated. Florida law defines the term "physically incapacitated" as meaning any bodily impairment or handicap that substantially limited the alleged victim's ability to flee or resist the act of sexual battery or aggravated sexual battery in such a way that negates any showing of consent.

Sexual Battery by Law Enforcement, Probation, or Correctional Officer- Florida Statute (4)(g)

It is a felony in the first degree, punishable by 30 years in Florida State Prison, if the act of sexual battery is committed upon the victim who is 12 years old or older without the alleged victim's consent when the offender is in a position of authority or control. Additionally, the victim in such a case almost always has a civil rights claim or a personal injury claim against the agency that employed the offender. Occupations that are included within term position of control or authority include:

law enforcement officer;
correctional officer;
correctional probation officer;
officer who supervises controlled release, community control, detention, custodial settings, probation, or similar settings;
or anyone who leads the victim to reasonably believe that the offender is in a position of control or authority as an employee or agent of government.

False Accusations of Sexual Battery under Florida Law 794.011(4)(g)Florida Statute Section 984.011(10) provides any any person who falsely accuses any person listed in paragraph (4)(g) or other person in a position of control or authority as an agent or employee of government of violating paragraph (4)(g) is guilty of a felony of the third degree punishable by five years in Florida State Prison.

Sexual Battery - Second Degree Felony
A person who commits sexual battery upon a person 12 years of age or older, without that person's consent, and in the process thereof does not use violence or physical force likely to cause serious personal injury commits a felony of the second degree which is punishable by 15 years in Florida State Prison. Florida law defines the term serious personal injury to mean great bodily harm, great bodily pain, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement.

Sexual Battery - Custodial or Familial Position of Offender
If the person accused is in a custodial or familial position of authority over the victim, then the victim's consent or willingness to engage in the sexual act is not a defense. In fact, Florida law provides that even acquiescence to a person reasonably believed by the victim to be in a position of authority or control does not constitute consent.

Victim is 18 years old or older - If the person accused is in a custodial or familial position of authority over the victim who is less than 18 years of age, then the victims' consent or willingness to commit the act is not a defense to prosecution. Under these circumstances, the crime is a third degree felony punishable by 5 years in Florida State Prison.

Victim is between 12 and 17 - If the person accused is in a custodial or familial position of authority over the victim who is between the age of 12 and 17 years old, then the victims' consent or willingness to commit the act is not a defense to prosecution. Under these circumstances, the crime is a second degree felony punishable by 15 years in Florida State Prison.

Victim is under 12 years old - If the person accused is in a custodial or familial position of authority over the victim who is under the age of 12, then the victims' consent or willingness to commit the act is not a defense to prosecution. Under these circumstances, the crime is a first degree felony punishable by 30 years in Florida State Prison. If any such sexual battery injures the sexual organ of the victim then the crime is punishable as a capital or life felony.

Sexual Battery Crimes

Monday, April 2, 2012

Florida Sexual Battery Crimes and Statute 794.011