Florida criminal charges have some serious potential sentences, especially for felonies, like sexual battery.
A man in Broward County was recently charged with multiple felony counts. According to local police, the man stands charged with sexual battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Potential sentences for sexual battery
Sexual battery felonies can be charged as second degree, first degree, life or capital felonies. The least severe of sexual battery charges would be a second-degree felony with potential imprisonment of 15 years.
Sexual battery can carry heavy sentences in Florida, including life imprisonment for life felonies or for cases where an alleged victim is aged 12 or less, the death penalty. Additionally, depending on the nature of the accused crimes, there is potential for additional federal charges, which carry their own unique sentencing guidelines.
Summary
Sexual battery in any manner of charge is a serious charge, and in addition, conviction can lead to fines and your addition to the sex offender registry. Potential sentences vary based on the particular level of charge.
If you are charged with any serious felony, remember that you retain rights. Charges do not always lead to conviction. They may be dropped or reduced. Police have time to build a case against a person and then question with the information they have amassed. The police are allowed to lie. As such, you should leverage the rights you have in that situation (the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, the right against self-incrimination, etc.).