Florida's Romeo & Juliet Law Pt 2: Florida Sex Offender Registry
In Florida until the inception of the Romeo and Juliet Law, statutory rape convictions, meaning sex with a minor, has created more than one victim. In Florida a minor cannot consent to having sex if she or he is 16 or under. What has occurred is that parents get upset that their child has engaged in sexaul intercourse with thier boyfriend or girlfriend that is a senior in high school and just turned 18, so the parent will bring charges. Until the Florida law changed in 2007, these individuals in their late teens early 20s were punished with more than probation, but a life sentence as a "sex offender".
In today's economic crisis with jobs being highly sought after, these individuals are struggling to keep their heads above water simply for choosing to be in a relationship with someone. The Florida Romeo & Juliet Law, which passed in 2007 is designed to protect individuals from the sex offender list when they engage in consensual sex with a minor no more than 4 years younger than the accused and the accused has no other sex crimes on his/her record.
This law does not make it legal to have sexual relations with minors, but merely stops the accused from being held out as a sex offender in society.
Michael A. Atter
Former Prosecutor
Keith L. Maynard
Former Assistant Public Defender
Have a comment or question for us? Wood, Atter & Wolf is on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn:
Representing clients in Jacksonville, Orange Park, Fernandina Beach and the rest of North Florida for over 50 years. When you are faced with criminal charges or potential criminal charges, we are At Your Side - On Your Side.
Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. - Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers - On Your Side - At Your Side