Being accused or convicted of a sex crime can make your life extremely difficult. Your reputation, career, and even personal life may have suffered, making it even more difficult to move on.
Even situations that seem harmless and playful can have some pretty serious consequences. In more serious cases, sexual harassment can even become a sex crime.
Visit here to learn more about the legal repercussions of being accused of or even convicted of a sex crime in Florida.
Is Sexual Harassment Considered a Sexual Crime?
Sex offenses, also known as sex crimes can include many serious offenses, including:
- Rape
- Statutory rape
- Sex with a minor
- Sexual assault or battery
- Any unwanted sexual contact
- Exposing oneself in a lewd or lascivious manner
- Any type of threat or use of force in a sexual manner
Sex crimes can cover a broad range including social taboos such as indecent exposure or sexual harassment.
While the majority of sex crimes in Florida are classified as serious violent felonies, you should also be aware of any accusations of sexual harassment. Convictions for sex crimes can lead to possible prison sentences as well as fines.
When Does Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Become a Crime?
There are situations where sexual harassment may be happening in conjunction with or related instances of sexual crimes. In this situation, there may be a civil case as well as a criminal case.
For example, if a co-worker was to accuse you of assault and battery, rape, false imprisonment, or another sex-related crime, then the alleged victim may point to instances of sexual harassment that happened before the more serious crime. This could be used against you to paint a picture that you are a sexual deviant or criminal.
Although being accused of sexual harassment particularly in the workplace is still worthy of consulting an attorney, it is not necessarily a crime on your own. Sex crimes can be linked to instances of sexual harassment.
Anyone who accuses you of sexual harassment might also accuse you of perpetrating a sex crime. In these situations, it’s best to contact a Jacksonville Sex Crimes Lawyer.
Read more about sex crimes in the workplace here.
Why You Should Care About a Sexual Harassment Allegation
Even if you don’t think a particular situation will escalate to the level of a crime, you should still be concerned about any scenario where an individual accuses you of sexual harassment.
Employers, too, should be concerned about situations where they knew about alleged issues and failed to act. If an individual does accuse someone else of perpetuating sexual harassment, this can be an embarrassing situation even if it never goes to the level of criminal charges. Being accused of sexual harassment at any level can impact your reputation and damage your character.
The reality is that you’re unlikely to have a heart-to-heart with someone accusing you of sexual harassment once the claim occurs, so you really do not know their intentions or future actions.
Reacting seriously by consulting with a Jacksonville criminal defense attorney, however, does give you some peace of mind that you have access to legal representation if you should need it.
What if I’m Innocent of Sexual Harassment or Sex Crimes?
Even if you believe that the claims of sexual harassment are unfounded, you should consult with a knowledgeable Jacksonville criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to determine the best way to protect your rights.
Even if you believe that you are innocent and that there is no evidence to support such a claim, having an attorney’s insight during this time can make your life easier and help you prepare a claim in the event that it does move forward.
When someone else accuses you of crossing the line or breaking the law, it’s in your best interests to consult with a Jacksonville Sex Crimes Lawyer, even if you suspect that nothing will come of the claims.
Don’t Try to Handle a Sex Crime On Your Own – Call a Jacksonville Sex Crimes Lawyer
If the sexual harassment claim is ultimately linked to charges of other sexual crimes, you should never assume that you can handle this situation on your own. There is simply too much on the line in terms of your future to ignore a claim like this, so you need to take it seriously and get the legal help that you need.
Visit here to learn more about how a Jacksonville sex crimes lawyer can help you with your accusation or crime.
What constitutes a personal injury?
The most common personal injury is an auto accident, but the broad definition encompasses any situation where a person suffers harm due to the negligence of another person or entity. Early identification of a personal injury is important to the legal process. Many serious injuries occur each year involving:
– Auto accidents
– Premises liability accidents such as injuries caused by a slip and fall
– Medical malpractice/nursing home injuries
– Wrongful death
– Work-related accidents
– Animal attacks
– Faulty or malfunctioning products (product liability)