Whittel & Melton, LLC 352-369-5334 – Florida Sex Crimes Attorneys
A 48-year-old man accused of exposing himself at a Burger King in Ocala was charged Sunday with lewd and lascivious exhibition.
A 12-year-old boy allegedly witnessed the man performing a sexual act at the restaurant.
By the time the Ocala police arrived at the scene, the man had apparently been asked to leave the fast food chain and had walked to another restaurant in the area.
According to reports, the man was interviewed and denied the allegations.
Reports indicate that the boy confirmed the man arrested was the same man he saw in Burger King.
The man was booked into the Marion County Jail. As of Monday he was being held in lieu of a $150,000 bond.
Lewd and lascivious exhibition is a serious crime. This sexual crime refers to engaging in indecent behavior in the presence of children. This crime can range from masturbating in a public setting to pulling your pants down on a bus. For lewd and lascivious exhibition to be charged, the act must be intentional and performed in the presence of a child younger than 16. If you find yourself arrested for this sex crime, it is vital to take this arrest seriously and consult with a Florida Sex Crimes Lawyer as soon as possible to protect your future.
Every lewd and lascivious exhibition arrest is unique. There are various factors that can affect the outcome of your case, including:
Lewd and lascivious exhibition may not seem like a serious sex crimes charge, however, it can be. In fact, a person over the age of 18 charged with this crime faces a felony of the second degree. For first time offenders, this crime carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and mandatory registration as a sex offender. This criminal offense will remain on your permanent record and will undoubtedly impact the rest of your life, from social aspects to financial prospects. With something this severe influencing your record, you could face problems with where you can live, what schools you can attend and where you can be employed.
Following an arrest for lewd and lascivious exhibition, your first move should be to contact the Florida Sex Crimes Attorneys at Whittel & Melton. By acting fast, we may be able to convince prosecutors not to formally file charges against you. We understand how devastating a sex crime arrest can be for you and your family. The Florida Sex Crimes Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can advise you on how to best protect your rights.
If you have been arrested for lewd and lascivious exhibition or charged with a similar sex crime in Ocala or throughout the state of Florida, contact the Florida Sex Crimes Lawyers at Whittel & Melton online or call our Marion County office at 352-369-5334. You can reach us statewide and toll-free by dialing 866-608-5529.