A sex crime accusation in Florida puts your freedom, career, and reputation at risk before any charge is filed. If you have been arrested, contacted by a detective, or believe you are under investigation, speak with a Florida sex crimes lawyer before you answer questions.
Goldman Wetzel defends people accused of sex offenses in state and federal court across Tampa Bay. Attorney Summer Goldman is a former prosecutor, and she and her partner, Maribeth Wetzel, work every case together.
Accused of a Sex Crime in Florida?
Speak with a Florida sex crimes lawyer today. The consultation is free and confidential.
Florida Sex Crime Defense Practice Areas
Florida sex offenses range from misdemeanors to capital felonies. Each charge below has its own page covering the law, the penalties, and the defenses.
Sexual Battery
Florida’s charge for rape and other non-consensual sexual acts.
Child Pornography & CSAM
Possession, promotion, and transmission of child pornography, now called child sexual abuse material, in state and federal court.
Lewd & Lascivious Offenses
Battery, molestation, conduct, and exhibition charges involving a person younger than 16, including close-in-age cases and Florida’s Romeo and Juliet law.
Traveling to Meet a Minor
Internet sting operations and online solicitation charges.
Internet Sex Crimes
Cases built on online communications and digital evidence.
Prostitution & Solicitation
Sting arrests and related charges.
Indecent Exposure
Exposure charges, including the new felony for exposure while observing a child.
Failure to Register
Sex offender registration and reporting violations.
Human Trafficking Allegations
Trafficking allegations in state or federal investigations.
We also have a page for clients charged in Pinellas County, including St. Petersburg and Clearwater.
Why Early Legal Help Matters
Sex crime investigations usually begin long before an arrest. Detectives collect phone and computer data, interview witnesses, record calls, and run undercover operations while the person under investigation has no lawyer. The earlier a Florida sex crimes lawyer is involved, the more can be done.
- Do not give a statement. Tell the detective you want a lawyer and end the conversation.
- Treat calls and messages from the accuser as recorded. Detectives sometimes arrange them.
- Do not delete anything. Messages and files often help the defense, and deleting them can be charged as tampering with evidence.
- Call us before an arrest. We can deal with investigators for you, preserve favorable evidence, and present information to the prosecutor before a charging decision is made.
Representative Sex Crime Case Results
Capital Sexual Battery: Not guilty verdict after jury trial.
Sexual Battery: Charges dropped before the client ever appeared in court.
Lewd and Lascivious Molestation: Early intervention resulted in no arrest and no formal charges filed.
Every case is different. These results depended on the facts of each case, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in yours.
What Changed in Florida Sex Crime Law in 2026
Florida raised the penalties for several offenses this year. Much of what is written online about these charges is now out of date.
- Possession of child pornography or CSAM went from a third-degree to a second-degree felony on July 1, 2026. The maximum is now 15 years for each image.
- Promoting or transmitting that material now carries a five-year mandatory minimum for an adult, with a narrow exception for close-in-age cases.
- Using a child in a sexual performance became a first-degree felony with a 15-year mandatory minimum. When the child is younger than 12, it is a life felony with a 25-year minimum.
- Mandatory minimums for people with a prior sex offense conviction increased for several charges.
- Indecent exposure while observing a child became a new third-degree felony on October 1, 2026.
The date of the alleged conduct decides which version of the law applies, so it is one of the first things we establish.
Penalties and Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction
The sentence depends on the specific charge, the ages of the people involved, the number of counts, and any prior record. Beyond jail or prison, a conviction can bring:
- Mandatory minimum prison terms
- Sex offender probation, with a curfew, treatment, and limits on internet use
- Sex offender registration, in most cases for life
- Restrictions on where you can live and work
- Loss of professional licenses and, for a felony, firearm rights
- A criminal record that in many cases cannot be sealed or expunged
Registration does not apply to every charge. Whether a proposed resolution carries registration is one of the first things we examine.
Evidence Used in Florida Sex Crime Cases
These cases are built on a small number of evidence types, and each can be tested:
- Statements by the accuser and witnesses, including earlier accounts that differ
- Recorded calls and messages, including those arranged by detectives
- Digital evidence from phones, computers, and online accounts
- DNA and medical findings
- Statements by the accused, which are often the strongest evidence the State has
That last item is why you should speak with a lawyer before answering any questions.
Why Goldman Wetzel
- A former prosecutor on your side. Summer Goldman prosecuted cases before she defended them. She knows how charging decisions are made and where a case can be challenged.
- Two attorneys on every case. Summer Goldman and Maribeth Wetzel work as a team, so both partners are involved in every case the firm takes.
- State and federal defense. We represent clients in Florida courts and in federal court in Tampa.
- Discretion. We know what an accusation alone can do to a career and a family. Everything you tell us is confidential, and we do not judge the people who call us.
- Local. We have offices in St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Bradenton.
Related Criminal Defense Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I talk to the police?
Not before you speak with a lawyer. A statement meant to clear things up often becomes the State’s main evidence. Your lawyer can decide whether and how any information reaches the detective.
Can sex crime charges be dropped?
Sometimes. The State Attorney decides whether to file and pursue charges. Early work by the defense can expose weaknesses in the evidence or problems with the investigation before that decision is made.
Will I have to register as a sex offender?
It depends on the offense. Many felony sex offenses require registration, while charges such as first-offense indecent exposure or solicitation generally do not.
What if the allegations are false?
False and mistaken accusations happen. The defense starts with the communications, the timeline, and each account the accuser has given, and it looks at the circumstances in which the accusation was made.
What is Florida’s Romeo and Juliet law?
It is not a defense to a charge. It lets some people convicted in close-in-age cases ask a judge to remove the sex offender registration requirement. Our article on Florida’s Romeo and Juliet law explains who qualifies.
Speak With a Florida Sex Crimes Lawyer Today
You do not have to face this alone, and you should not face it without advice. Goldman Wetzel represents clients in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties, as well as in federal court in Tampa.
Learn more about our broader Florida criminal defense services.
Call (727) 828-3900 today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with a Florida sex crimes lawyer.