Complaint Filed Against UF Student for Lewd Acts

An 18-year-old University of Florida student was accused in sworn complaints of committing lewd acts for masturbating in front of women, according to University Police.

Police were sent to the Sorority Row area on Southwest Eighth Avenue on Monday in regards to a man allegedly masturbating. Gainesville police apparently investigated the incident and filed a complaint against the student.

The University Police Department was contacted on Wednesday by a woman who claims a man sat next to her on a bench on campus on Tuesday and began masturbating.

According to police, the man identified was the same student. UPD filed a sworn complaint alleging lewd and lascivious acts.

In a press release, police stated that the man was trespassed from campus, meaning he cannot attend classes or do anything else on campus until the case is resolved.

Criminal charges against college students should be handled very carefully as there are both criminal proceedings and possible disciplinary proceedings at the university. Special care must be taken in order to protect the student’s constitutional rights in criminal court, as well as when handling the university’s disciplinary board.

If you are a college student who has been accused of a crime, or even if you are the parent of a college student who has been charged with a crime, you must act quickly and enlist the help of a criminal defense attorney who understands Florida laws and can establish a solid defense on your behalf. Our Gainesville Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton know that students can make mistakes. However, we do not believe that you should be unfairly punished for being in the wrong place at the wrong time or for making a simple mistake. A slight misunderstanding should not burden you for the rest of your life and destroy your future. Having a criminal record can hurt your educational opportunities and limit future career paths.

A criminal conviction can negatively impact anyone’s life. A conviction can be especially harsh for university, college and graduate-school students because the consequences can be particularly cruel. A criminal record places a college or post-graduate student at a disadvantage when seeking employment both during and after college and when pursuing additional post-graduate education.

If you or your child has been charged with a crime while attending a Florida university, we can help. Contact a Florida Sex Crimes Defense Attorney online or call our Gainesville office at 352-264-7800 or reach us statewide and toll-free at 866-608-5529 for a free phone consultation.