Sex crime laws in Gainesville, Florida, range in severity from misdemeanors to felonies, although all are punishable by jail time, fines, and in some cases, registration on the national sex offender list as either a sex offender or as a sexual predator. Because these types of crimes are so varied, it is critical for those who have been accused of a sex crime to have a thorough understanding of their specific charges.
In the state of Florida, c hild pornography is legally defined as any image that depicts a minor engaged in sexual conduct. Sexual conduct is further defined as including a range of activity, including actual or simulated sexual intercourse, masturbation, sexual abuse, and sexual touching. Even if an image falls under the legal definition of child pornography, a person can only be convicted of possessing the image if prosecutors can prove that he or she intentionally viewed the images and took steps to save, download, or share them.
It is also not uncommon for someone who has been accused of committing a single child pornography-related offense to be charged with other similar crimes.
For instance, someone who is accused of sending a prohibited image to another person could also be charged with the transmission, distribution, and promotion of child pornography, in addition to possession. In fact, those who are found to be in possession of three or more copies of a single image are presumed to be involved in the promotion and distribution of child pornography and could even be accused of manufacturing, producing, or using a minor in a sexual performance. Gainesville, Florida, has long criminalized prostitution, which means that both sex workers and those who solicit them face criminal penalties if convicted.
This is true even if no money was exchanged or if one or both parties never intended to go through with the transaction. Solicitation is usually charged as a misdemeanor for first offenders, although an exception is made when the person solicited was underage.
