Sex Crimes, Sex Offenders My 18-year-old son had consensual sex with 15-year-old girl

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A detective called him today and asked him about. My son told me that he was honest and acknowledged to the detective that they had sex. The detective said that they would be in touch.

My son has no prior record and is a good student. He has a year of high school remaining.

Is it a certainty that he will be charged? If so, what type of sentence is he likely to receive?

Thanks in advance.
 
A detective called him today and asked him about. My son told me that he was honest and acknowledged to the detective that they had sex. The detective said that they would be in touch.

My son has no prior record and is a good student. He has a year of high school remaining.

Is it a certainty that he will be charged? If so, what type of sentence is he likely to receive?

Thanks in advance.
A 15 year old child can not legally give consent. Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney for your son and stop posting about his criminal behavior on the internet. Tell your son to not talk to the police without his Criminal Defense Attorney present.
 
My son told me that he was honest and acknowledged to the detective that they had sex.

That was stupid. He's being accused of a crime and he confessed to it. I suggest you get him to a criminal defense attorney ASAP and make sure he keeps his mouth shut next time he's contacted by a detective.

Both of you watch this video.


There is something very, very wrong with an adult that is compelled to have sex with a CHILD. There's a word for that kind of person. PEDOPHILE.

Is it a certainty that he will be charged?

No way to speculate.

If so, what type of sentence is he likely to receive?

The crime is called "sexual battery" (in some places it's called "rape") and carries very serious penalties.
 
There is something very, very wrong with an adult that is compelled to have sex with a CHILD. There's a word for that kind of person. PEDOPHILE.

Pedophiles, by definition, are sexually attracted to children. My son turned 18 3 weeks ago. The girl is 15. He does not meet the definition of a "pedophile".

The detective has copies of their texts where they discussed their sexual encounter. My son told the detective what they already knew.

Being that they're so close in age, it's my hope that my son will not be sent to prison. I am also hoping that someone here can tell me what a typical sentence is for such an offense.
 
Pedophiles, by definition, are sexually attracted to children. My son turned 18 3 weeks ago. The girl is 15. He does not meet the definition of a "pedophile".

The detective has copies of their texts where they discussed their sexual encounter. My son told the detective what they already knew.

Being that they're so close in age, it's my hope that my son will not be sent to prison. I am also hoping that someone here can tell me what a typical sentence is for such an offense.
Your adult son should ask his defense attorney any and all questions he has. Your son should not discuss his criminal case with anyone other than his attorney.
 
Cases like this kind of make me sad to an extent, I knew of a similar situation where the older male received a felony conviction all because of having underage sex with a girl at the time whom was the same age (15). She did not file or complain but her parents did. They ended up getting married, having kids but starting out life at 18 with a felony conviction on your records is about as hard of being behind the 8 ball as you can get.

Like has been said don't talk to the police, don't give them ammunition. Lawyer up and hope for the best. Police never ask you about things they don't already know. They are not your friend especially in this investigation.
 
Cases like this kind of make me sad to an extent, I knew of a similar situation where the older male received a felony conviction all because of having underage sex with a girl at the time whom was the same age (15). She did not file or complain but her parents did. They ended up getting married, having kids but starting out life at 18 with a felony conviction on your records is about as hard of being behind the 8 ball as you can get.

Like has been said don't talk to the police, don't give them ammunition. Lawyer up and hope for the best. Police never ask you about things they don't already know. They are not your friend especially in this investigation.

What was his sentence?
 
The age difference is 2 years and 9 months. To me, anything more than probation is an injustice.

Just by this statement.... You are admitting your son is guilty.. To be guilty means he fully knew what he was doing was wrong. As a adult he was taking advantage of a minor. The more he talks with police the deeper the hole he is digging. Was he grooming the minor? He should stop talking with the police and get a lawyer.
 
It is unfortunate that your son was not properly educated about the legalities of his actions. The failure there rests squarely with the parents.

Your son, while not having a defense to the act, may be able to take advantage of Florida's "Romeo and Juliet" law in order to reduce the severity of any sentence he may face. Your son should ask his attorney about this.
 
The age difference is 2 years and 9 months. To me, anything more than probation is an injustice.
Quite frankly, it sickens me that you are putting so much energy in to downplaying this. I suppose it's understandable, considering that anything else would require you to understand and admit your own failures in raising your child.
 
Who cares what his sentence was you never want to take an adult felony conviction ever especially at 18 years of age. Probation or not and especially if he has to register as a sex offender.

Good Luck with all of it...
 
Is it a certainty that he will be charged?

No one here can intelligently predict that.

If so, what type of sentence is he likely to receive?

What you've described is lewd or lascivious battery under section 800.04(4)(a)(1) of the Florida Statutes. According to this law firm's website, this is a second degree felony and is potentially "punishable by up to fifteen years in prison, fifteen years of sex offender probation, and a $10,000 fine." It is also likely to result in the requirement to register as a sex offender. He needs a lawyer NOW.

The crime is called "sexual battery"

That's incorrect.

Being that they're so close in age, it's my hope that my son will not be sent to prison. I am also hoping that someone here can tell me what a typical sentence is for such an offense.

Only a criminal defense attorney who practices in the county where the offense took place can intelligently provide him with this information.

It is unfortunate that your son was not properly educated about the legalities of his actions. The failure there rests squarely with the parents.

What a load of nonsense. While I agree that it is a parent's responsibility to teach his/her child about such things, one can "properly educate" a child about something, but the child may will behave in a way that runs contrary to that education.
 
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What a load of nonsense. While I agree that it is a parent's responsibility to teach his/her child about such things, one can "properly educate" a child about something, but the child may will behave in a way that runs contrary to that education.
That may happen, but the OP's presentation and attitude in this thread leads me to believe that my assessment of the matter is likely correct.
 
It is also likely to result in the requirement to register as a sex offender.
I disagree. Based on Florida's "Romeo and Juliet" law, it is actually unlikely, assuming that the man has no prior history in this regard.
 
OP should get off the computer and hire an CDA for his son if he truly wants to help him. If Jr. is charged this is a serious crime that could have a HUGE impact on his future...and there is nothing helpful a group of random people (even if they have a JD which, with the exception of zddoodah who is not in Florida, none have) on the internet can offer. No offense intended to any of the volunteers who kindly responded to OP's thread.

The Florida Bar
 
I disagree. Based on Florida's "Romeo and Juliet" law, it is actually unlikely, assuming that the man has no prior history in this regard.

My quick reading of FL's Romeo & Juliet law would apply because the young lady in question is 15. I could be wrong.
 
From a random web search, not an endorsement of any type:

What is the Romeo and Juliet Law in Florida?
The Romeo and Juliet law protects teenagers and young adults who engage in consensual sexual contact. Those who meet the law's criteria may be exempt from having to register as sex offenders.

For the Romeo and Juliet law in Florida to be applicable, the case must meet the following criteria:

  • The perceived victim must be between 14 and 17 years old
  • The offender must be no more than four years older than the victim (Note: 4 years refers to 1,460 days; if the age gap between the offender and victim is 1,461 days, then the Romeo and Juliet law will not apply)
  • The perceived victim said yes to the sexual activity
  • The offender's record is free of previous sex crimes
It's important to note that the Romeo and Juliet law in Florida does not legalize this kind of sexual activity; it merely provides legal protections to those who meet its criteria.

When invoked in court, the Romeo and Juliet law may:

 
Pedophiles, by definition, are sexually attracted to children. My son turned 18 3 weeks ago. The girl is 15. He does not meet the definition of a "pedophile".

The detective has copies of their texts where they discussed their sexual encounter. My son told the detective what they already knew.

Being that they're so close in age, it's my hope that my son will not be sent to prison. I am also hoping that someone here can tell me what a typical sentence is for such an offense.

Does your son have rocks for brains, or have you never explained the legal significance of turning 18?!

Seriously, you're supposed to have such conversations repeatedly with your child, well before they turn 18. Because, once they turn 18, they are a legal adult.

His guilt is not in question and I'm posting anonymously and with a burner email account. Nevertheless, thanks for the advice.

Judging by the "precautions" you have taken to prepare your son for adulthood, I suspect that if someone really wanted to, they could connect the dots. Don't be so c***y.

He's in trouble because not only was he dumb enough not to know that he was a legal adult, he documented his crime in text messages on his phone.

STOP USING CELL PHONES TO DETAIL CRIMES.

Oh, and by the way, Romeo and Juliet laws might not apply if there are photos, aka child porn.
 
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