Sex offenses in Florida have serious consequences, many of which are a result of Megan's Law. Megan's Law is a federal law, and most states have their own statutes to address it. If allegations are made against you concerning a violation of Megan's Law, you need to act fast. County prosecutor do not take these matters lightly and will throw the book at you, so to speak.

At Rodriguez & Williamson, PLLC, our Megan's Law violations defense attorney in Tampa will advise you on Florida's statute dealing with Megan's Law and guide you through the process. We will be proactive and use our resources to minimize or avoid any criminal consequences. Contact us today at 813-320-7500 to schedule a Free.

What is Megan's Law?

Megan's Law is named after a 1994 case where a seven-year-old New Jersey girl, Megan Kankathe, was raped and murdered in New Jersey by a twice-convicted sex offender living near her family home.  The intended purpose of Megan's Law is to protect the public, especially children.

The case gained national attention and as a result, federal legislation was introduced in 1996 and subsequently enacted, requiring states to maintain a sex offender registry. The federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) sets out national standards for the registration, monitoring, and notification of sex offenders. 

It also requires states to notify the community of the presence of a sex offender, where appropriate. 

Every state has its own set of laws enacting Megan's Law.

Under Megan's Law, convicted sex offenders in every community, including communities in Tampa, must provide certain information to law enforcement authorities in the area where they live, work, or attend school. The authorities can share this information with specific organizations or the wider community, depending on the circumstances. 

What Crimes Are Associated with Megan's Law in Florida?

Megan's Law applies to certain sex crimes including:

• Indecent exposure
• Rape
• Aggravated sexual assault
• Sex trafficking
• Child pornography

If the allegations involve sexual conduct with an underage victim or the use of force, Meghan's Law usually applies.

Repercussions of a Conviction in Tampa Associated with Megan's Law?

If you plead guilty to or are convicted of a sex crime subject to Megan's Law in Tampa, you face a range of penalties including fines, probation, and lengthy periods of incarceration. 

In addition to these penalties, you could also be required to provide your personal details to local law enforcement authorities. The authorities will add a description of the offense to the sex offender registry, as well as your:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Residential address
• Employment address
• Photograph
• Physical description
• Vehicle details

After receiving this information, the local prosecution office assesses and classifies your level of risk of reoffending. Your risk level determines how widely your information is shared. 

For example, if you're assessed as low-risk, then your details may only be provided to the local police. The information on high-risk offenders can be made public, usually via a website. 

Your risk level also determines how long you remain on the registry. Low-risk offenders can remain for a fixed period, typically starting at ten years. High-risk offenders may be permanently added to the registry. 

If you fail to register or regularly update your details with local law enforcement authorities, you can be charged with further offenses. 

Five Reasons Why You Need a Sex Crimes Defense Attorney in Florida

If you've been charged with a sex crime in Florida, you should immediately speak to a criminal defense attorney at Rodriguez & Williamson, PLLC who has experience handling allegations of this nature. These kinds of convictions carry serious repercussions, some extending beyond the term of the sentence itself. 

In particular, you may be at risk of becoming a registered sex offender under Megan's Law. This can have serious, long-term consequences on your ability to find work, where you choose to live, and your social well-being. 

Here are five reasons why you should retain our sex crimes defense attorney in Tampa if you have been charged with a sex crime or a Megan's Law violation.

1. We use expert witnesses. A case can win or fail based on the experts provided. Expert witnesses can testify about psychological disorders or behaviors, and disprove the validity of sexual abuse, among many other things -- all dependent on your unique case.
2. We thoroughly investigate your case. You can't depend on the State's investigation because they already assume you are guilty. Any investigation flowing from a guilty assumption will fail to uncover evidence that proves your innocence. We investigate thoroughly so that when a false allegation is made, we can successfully defend against it.
3. We seek to minimize reputational damage. There may be nothing worse aside from murder that can damage your reputation than an allegation of a sex crime. We work with you to help manage the public fallout of your case and to minimize or avoid prosecution or conviction.
4. We know how to negotiate. We know how to mitigate punishment if you are ultimately convicted or agree to a plea deal. We know how to negotiate for better outcomes and/or reduced sentences.
5. We go above and beyond. We know these types of allegations lead to life-long consequences that do not end in the criminal justice system. You may face civil liability and have problems obtaining higher education or getting a job. We help minimize the impact of a sex crimes allegation and the consequences that may follow a conviction. In many cases, we can help insulate you from some of these collateral consequences.

Contact a Megan's Law Violations Defense Attorney in Tampa Today

A criminal defense attorney can explain your rights and options available to you. They can also help you prepare an effective defense against the charges to avoid becoming a registered sex offender. To schedule a Free with an attorney at Rodriguez & Williamson, PLLC, fill out an online contact form or call us today at 813-320-7500.

Megan's Law is mainly responsible for the severe penalties that follow sexual offenses committed in Florida. Most states have enacted their own statutes in response to Megan's Law, a federal law. It is imperative that you take prompt action in the event that accusations are made against you for violating Megan's Law. The district attorney for the county does not take these problems lightly and will, in a sense, bring the book down on you.

Our Megan's Law violations defense attorney in Tampa at Rodriguez & Williamson, PLLC, will advise you on Florida's statute dealing with Megan's Law and help you defend yourself against Megan's Law violations. We will take preventative measures and use our resources to lessen or eliminate any potential legal repercussions. Get in touch with us at this very moment at 813-320-7500 to set up a free consultation.

Can you explain Megan's Law FL to me?

The event that inspired the creation of Megan's Law occurred in 1994, when a young girl named Megan Kankathe, who was only seven years old at the time, was raped and murdered in New Jersey by a man previously convicted of sexual offenses twice. The general populace, especially children, is supposed to be safe from harm due to Megan's Law.

This resulted in the case receiving widespread media coverage, which led to the introduction of federal legislation in 1996, later passed into Law, mandating that states keep sex offender registries. The federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, also known as SORNA, is the Law that establishes national guidelines for the process of registering, monitoring, and notifying people who have been convicted of sexual offenses.

In addition, it mandates that states must, where appropriate, inform the community of the presence of a sexual offender.

Each of the 50 states has its own legislation that puts Megan's Law into effect.

Convicted sexual offenders in every community, including communities in Tampa, must provide certain information to law enforcement authorities in the area where they live, work, or attend school, per Megan's Law. These individuals may face additional penalties, including jail time if they fail to comply. Depending on the situation's specifics, the authorities may disclose this information to specific organizations or the larger community.

In Florida, what kinds of crimes are covered by Megan's Law?

Some sexual offenses fall under the purview of Megan's Law, including the following:

• Indecent exposure
• Rape
• Aggravated sexual assault
• Human sex smuggling
• Pornography directed at minors

Generally speaking, Meghan's Law is applicable when the charges involve sexual conduct with an underage victim or the use of force.

What Are the Consequences of Getting a Conviction in Tampa Related to Megan's Law FL?

If you are found guilty of a sex crime in Tampa that Megan's Law covers, or if you plead guilty to such a crime, you face various consequences, including fines, probation, and extended periods of jail.

In addition to these penalties, you may be obliged to supply the authorities with your personal information to avoid further legal action. The sex offender registry will be updated with a description of the offense committed by you, as well as the following information:

• Name
• Date and time of birth
• Residential address
• Photographic address of the place of employment
• Physical description
• Car details

The local prosecution office will evaluate and categorize your level of danger of committing another crime when they have received this information. Your level of risk decides the extent to which your data is distributed.

For instance, if you are deemed to pose a minimal risk, only the local police may be given access to your personal information. The data on high-risk offenders can be made available to the general public, most frequently through a website.

Your risk level also influences how long you remain on the list. Low-risk criminals are permitted to remain in custody for a set period, which commonly begins at ten years. It is possible to make high-risk offenders permanent additions to the registry.

Further charges may be brought against you if you fail to register with the authorities in your community or fail to keep those authorities informed of any changes to your personal information consistently.

Five Reasons Why You Need a Sex Crimes Defense Attorney in Florida

If you have been accused of committing a sexual offense in Florida, contact a criminal defense attorney at Rodriguez & Williamson, PLLC, as soon as possible. This attorney should have previous experience defending clients against accusations of similar severity. These kinds of convictions carry substantial ramifications, some extending beyond the length of the sentence itself.

Specifically, there is a possibility that you will run the risk of being a registered sex offender following Megan's Law. Your capacity to obtain work, the location of your choice to live, and your overall social well-being may all suffer as a direct result of this in the long run.

Here are six reasons why you should retain our sex crimes defense attorney in Tampa if you have been charged with a sex offense or a Megan's Law violation.

1.) We use expert witnesses. A case can succeed or fail based on the experts supplied. Expert witnesses can testify to psychological problems or habits and disprove the legitimacy of sexual abuse, among many other things; however, the specifics of their testimony will depend on the circumstances of each case.

2.) We thoroughly investigate your situation. You can't put your faith in the inquiry being conducted by the state since they already believe you are guilty. Any investigation that begins with the presumption that you are guilty will not be successful in unearthing evidence that demonstrates your innocence. We conduct exhaustive research so that if an untrue accusation is made, we can successfully defend ourselves against it.

3.) We attempt to minimize reputational damage. An accusation of a sexual offense is possibly the most dangerous thing that can happen to your reputation, second only to being accused of murder.

4.) We collaborate with you to help manage your case's public fallout and limit or avoid the possibility of you being prosecuted or convicted of a crime.

5.) We know how to negotiate. Whether you are ultimately found guilty or enter into a plea bargain, we can reduce the severity of the punishment. We are skilled in negotiating for improved outcomes and/or sentence reductions.

6.) We go well above the call of duty. We are aware that claims of this nature can have repercussions for the rest of a person's life that are not resolved by the legal system. You could be held legally liable and have difficulty acquiring a higher education or a job. We assist in mitigating the effects of sex crime allegations as well as the potential repercussions that may result from a conviction. We will often help you protect yourself from some of these unintended outcomes.

Today is the day to contact Megan's Law Violations Defense Attorney in Tampa.

Your rights and the choices you have available to you can be broken down by a criminal defense attorney. They can also assist you in preparing a solid defense against the charges so that you are not classified as a sexual offender. Please fill out our online contact form or give us a call right now at 813-320-7500 to make an appointment for a free consultation with an attorney at Rodriguez & Williamson, PLLC.

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