Assault & Battery Recently Arrested

[jades417]

Florida

My boyfriend, 22, was arrested yesterday and is in jail with several charges. He was caught two years ago with illegally downloading music of the internet and his computer was taken and charges were dropped concerning the downloading. But when he was 18 he had a 16 year old girlfriend and they found pictures of them performing sexual activities on his computer. That's what he is currently being charged for (Lewd and Lasc. Battery, and several counts of possession of sexual material deplicting a child). The girl did not press charges because it was a consensual relationship, the charges are through the county. I am scared to death of what is going to happen. What will be the process now that he's in jail and what type of sentence could he get. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[jacksgal]

FL has some of the toughest laws when it comes to sex with minors. Expect him to do time and lifetime registration as sex offender

 

[doubleuppro]

Sadly, in Florida (my home state), most cases can be won with enough money. If money is not an issue, bond him out of jail, since bond is only 10%, and hire an attorney. But one thing is for sure, he WILL have to register as a sex offender for as long as he is a Florida resident. But I have seen cases like this where probation was the norm considering the circumstances. Sadly, Florida has messed up sex laws. You might think its funny to moon a truck driver on the highway, but that could land you in jail for indecent exposure, and therefore a sex offender. However, most sex cases undergo intense scrutiny in Florida as a result of these laws, and odds are he will not do any serious time. If he does do time, it will be county jail time (11mo.29days or less.). Once this is all over, do him a favor, tell him to get a hobby and give up owning a computer. Maybe this is God's way of telling him to pursue other activities...God bless you and good luck.

 

[jades417]

Thanks

Thank you so much for the reply, it makes me feel a little better. Especially since you are familiar with FL laws. It happened when he was young and I know he learned his lesson.

 

[jacksgal]

Learning his lesson and paying for his crime are two very seperate issues

 

[doubleuppro]

jacksgal, while I DO agree with you, as a Christian, I believe that God will judge those who need to be judged. There are times when someone who has made a simple mistake, has done time, when circumstances would have warranted a downward departure from sentencing guidelines, etc. I write what I write here and help everyone I can because I am one of those people. I got railroaded by the Courts for something I did not do, however, being indigent, I couldn't afford an attorney, and with three kids depending on me, I couldn't afford to sit in jail, so I took a plea deal of 2 years probation. The system is flawed. The system is corrupted. And God is calling me to help others who are like me. I believe people are generaly, as a whole, decent people. And most people who get cught in the Courts do not deserve it. I leave it up to God, because man's laws are flawed. Please do not take this as a hostile post, For like I said I agree with you, however, I can not be as cold hearted as some of the other "posters" I have read. God bless you all.

P.S. On a positive note, I am now a paralegal at a major law-firm. So God does vindicate the wrongfully accused.

 

[jades417]

Thanks everyone again for your input on my questions. He has been transferrd to the county jail that the charges are out of and has his first appearance today. His bond is currently set at 140,000. Do you think that there is any chance he can get it reduced today or out on release on one's own recognizance? These are the only charges he has ever had, he has lived here his whole life, his whole family lives here, he has been at the same job for over a year and the charges are from something that happened four years ago. Any thoughts? Thanks again!

 

[haw110]

Your boyfriend is facing very serious charges.
Having sex with a minor, being in possession of child porn, sexual assault.
You should consult a good lawyer in Florida with experience in this type of case. Look for someone who is familiar with the courts in your area who will be taken very seriously by the DA and the court. Posting on a message board will not provide the solutions you need. He is looking at doing time and defending these charges could be expensive.