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Orlando Defense Attorneys for Charges of Lewd and Lascivious Behavior

Last updated on June 24, 2024

Lewd or lascivious battery is the official term for the crime commonly known as statutory rape. Individuals facing lewd or lascivious battery charges in Florida stand accused of engaging in a sexual act with a child who is older than 12 but younger than 16.

Lewd or lascivious battery charges don’t result just from forced and nonconsensual sexual encounters. Individuals who entice or simply “encourage” a child between the ages of 12 and 16 may be said to commit lewd or lascivious battery.

If you have been accused of lewd or lascivious battery, contact The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen & Associates in Orlando for immediate legal help. Without an effective defense, you will face severe legal penalties upon conviction, including the possibility of:

Representation in Indecent Exposure Cases

Have you been charged with lewd or lascivious exhibition in central Florida? Lewd or lascivious exhibition charges criminalize intentional sexual activity and performance in the presence of children under the age of 16.

Lewd or lascivious exhibition charges can result from a variety of behavior committed in the presence of a child. These behaviors include:

  • Masturbation
  • The intentional exposure of the genitals in a lewd or lascivious manner
  • A broad range of intentional sexual acts that do not involve contact with the victim

Alleged perpetrators can include both adults and minors. We will work aggressively to help you avoid the penalties that can follow a conviction, which can include a prison sentence of up to 15 years and having to register as a sex offender.

Lewd and Lascivious Molestation Charges

Individuals accused of lewd or lascivious molestation in Florida are often confused about both the severity of the charge and how it differs from lewd or lascivious battery. Generally, lewd or lascivious molestation charges:

  • Involve encouraging, enticing or forcing a child younger than 16 to touch another person in a lewd or lascivious manner
  • Are less severe than lewd or lascivious battery because they don’t involve penetration. Instead, they can involve the intentional lewd or lascivious touching of the breasts, genitals or buttocks of a child younger than 16.

Though less severe than lewd or lascivious battery charges, lewd or lascivious molestation charges can bring harsh legal penalties. Charges can be brought as life felony, second-degree or third-degree felony charges, with consequences ranging from three years to life in prison. We can thoroughly investigate your case and argue for your innocence or for reduced charges based on mitigating factors such as:

  • Are you under 21 years old?
  • Was the child the initiator or a willing participant?
  • Have you received or will you need specialized treatment for a mental disorder?

Why Hire The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen & Associates Following Lewd and Lascivious Behavior Charges?

When you face a sex crime charge, you need legal help from an attorney who is knowledgeable in Florida criminal law and who has a track record of success in handling sex offense cases.

Attorney Corey I. Cohen is both as a criminal defense attorney and as a criminal prosecutor who leads our team of defense attorneys. Our firm can investigate your lewd or lascivious battery charge and strategize your case based on our “inside” knowledge of how state prosecutors will likely handle your case. For more information, please contact our office.

Contact Us

The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen & Associates provides free initial consultations, is conveniently located in downtown Orlando across from Lake Eola and offers free parking. Additionally, we accept Visa, American Express, MasterCard and Discover, and we offer flexible payment plans. For a no-charge consultation with an experienced Orlando defense lawyer, call 407-680-2093, or contact us online.