In recent months, several high-profile cases involving college fraternities and alleged sexual misconduct have drawn attention to what many believe is a “rape culture” that exists on college campuses. According to a report published by the Palm Beach Post, Boca Raton police are investigating an alleged sexual battery that occurred at the Wayne Barton Center after attending a Step Show on the campus of Florida Atlantic University. The victim told police that while attending the “Oil Spill” party at the center, she was separated from her friends around 2 a.m., at which point a group of men pulled her on stage and raped her behind a curtain. She then found her friends, who took her back to her dorm. The victim met with police at around 5 a.m. at Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
Allegations of sexual assault can have serious repercussions
While “innocent until proven guilty” may be a maxim by which our courts operate, the same is not true for the court of public opinion. All credible allegations of sexual assault should be taken seriously by authorities and fully investigated, but it is also incumbent upon individuals who have been falsely accused to take steps to ensure that they protect their reputation, regardless of whether a case is ever filed. Fortunately, an experienced attorney can help manage the public message regarding a high-profile case involving allegations of sexual misconduct and keep the press or authorities from jumping to unfounded conclusions.
In the event that a formal case is actually filed in an alleged rape case, the representation of an attorney is essential to ensuring that your legal rights are protected. Florida law authorizes significant punishments for crimes involving sexual misconduct, some of which could impact a person for the rest of their life. Some of these penalties could include the following:
- Fines
- Probation
- Counseling
- Jail time
- Registration as a sex offender
For individuals who are required to register as a sex offender, their lives will often never be the same after a conviction. A person’s status as a sex offender is easily accessible to the general public through an online database, and sex offenders may be prohibiting from living in certain areas near schools, parks, or other places where children congregate. These requirements can be extremely onerous and significantly impact a person’s quality of life. As a result, it is important for anyone who has been falsely accused to do anything possible to avoid being included in the Florida sexual offender registry.
Contact a Boca Raton criminal defense attorney today to discuss your case
Anyone who is facing allegations of criminal misconduct in the Boca Raton area should retain qualified legal counsel as soon as possible. The consequences of a conviction can affect a person for years and can impact nearly every aspect of their life. Fortunately, in many instances, a skilled defense attorney can mitigate the legal penalties you may be facing and may even be able to secure an acquittal should your case go to trial. To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys in Boca Raton, call Lavalle Brown & Ronan today at 888-646-1315 or send us an email through our online contact form available here.