As regular readers of this blog are likely aware, one of the numerous consequences for a sex crime conviction is sex offender registration. This action could prompt some accused individuals in the Orlando area to seek alternative ways of dealing with the sex crime charge other than a trial. Recently one young woman facing a felony sex crime charge did just that. She accepted a deal that keeps her from having to register as a sex offender.
Many reading this have likely heard her story. Earlier this year the 18-year-old high school student was arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious assault on a minor after she had sex with someone who was a minor. This story made the news throughout the nation because the underage individual was a 14-year-old girl.
As a part of the deal the young woman plead no contest to multiple charges. Two of those charges are felony interference with child custody and misdemeanor battery. The deal means she will be in jail almost the rest of this year. This is much better that what she was potentially facing under the original second degree felony charges-up to 15 years in jail. According to the girl’s lawyer, this potential sentence contributed at least in part to the girl deciding to take a plea deal.
As this case illustrates there may be times when it is worthwhile for someone facing criminal charges to accept a plea deal. While spending any time in jail is likely not how the girl expected to pass several months of her life, many would likely agree that compared to the alternative, it is a good deal.
Source: Reuters, “Florida high-schooler takes plea deal in sex crime case,” Barbara Liston. Oct. 3, 2013