Anyone charged with a sex crime in Florida has the right to defend themselves against the accusations, whether it involves the solicitation of a prostitute, the possession of child pornography or rape. It is important to understand that you are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. It is also important to know that law enforcement officers and prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively, so representation by top Florida entrapment attorneys is critical.
There are a number of potential defenses available in these and other sex crime cases. That includes entrapment, or the argument that police officers unlawfully induced you into committing a crime. This defense often comes up in cases involving undercover police officers and law enforcement sting operations.
The Florida entrapment attorneys at Whittel & Melton have decades of experience defending people charged with sex crimes throughout the Sunshine State. We work tirelessly to build the strongest possible defenses for the people that we represent, including by exploring entrapment questions. We also stand by clients throughout the legal process, keeping them updated on their rights and options every step of the way.
What is Entrapment Under Florida Law?Florida law enforcement often uses confidential informants and undercover police officers to investigate possible criminal activity. That includes sex crimes, in which officers may go undercover to pose as anything from a prostitute to a child in an internet chatroom or an international sex trafficker.
These situations can raise questions of possible entrapment for anyone who is arrested as a result of an undercover probe. Florida law generally bans cops from trying to induce someone into committing a crime in situations where that person would not have otherwise engaged in the criminal offense.
Entrapment is a full defense to criminal charges in Florida, which means that you cannot be convicted of the charge if a judge or jury determines that you were entrapped. That being the case, it is important to consult our experienced Florida entrapment attorneys in these cases.
Skilled Florida Sex Crime Defense Attorneys Can Help You Prove Your InnocenceThere are a number of elements to the legal defense of entrapment, each of which must be proven in order to successfully raise the defense.
First, you have to show that a law enforcement officer (or confidential informant) encouraged you to participate in the crime and that you participated in the offense as a direct result of this encouragement. You also have to show that the officer or informant encouraged the activity in a way that created a substantial risk that the crime would take place.
For example, a situation in which a prostitute working as a police informant encourages a person to pay for sex could raise entrapment questions.
Finally – and often most importantly – also have to prove that you were not predisposed to commit the particular crime. This element often raises difficult legal and factual questions that require the help of a seasoned Florida entrapment attorney.
Speak with Florida Entrapment Attorneys to Get Help TodayIf you have been charged with a sex offense involving possible questions of entrapment in the Sunshine State, it is crucial to get the advice and counsel of a Florida entrapment attorney. An experienced lawyer can help you start building a possible defense immediately, sometimes even before any criminal charges have been filed.
The attorneys at Whittel & Melton represent clients throughout the Sunshine State who have been charged with a wide variety of offenses. Our attorneys work proactively to fight these charges head on. We defend charges in the courtrooms of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa, New Port Richey, Clearwater, Brooksville, Ocala, Gainesville, Orlando, Jacksonville, and many more. Contact us online or call 866-608-5529 for a free evaluation.