Are you a registered sex offender?
Was the alleged victim 14-17 at the time of the offense? Were you no more than four years older than the victim at the time of the offense? Was the relationship consensual?
If so, you may qualify to petition the court for removal from Florida's Sexual Offender database. In 2007, Florida passed what is commonly referred to as the "Romeo And Juliet" Law, where individuals who have been convicted of certain sex offenses and made to register as sex offenders for carrying on consensual relationships with younger individuals may ask the court to remove their sex offender designation.
The aim of the law was to avoid making teenagers registered sex offenders for carrying sexual relationships in high school (for instance, one party is 18, the other is 15).
In order to qualify, it is important to remember that there can be no more than a four-year age difference between the defendant and the alleged victim and the conduct must have been consensual.
Remember - the Romeo And Juliet statute does not make sexual conduct with a minor legal if you are less than four years older than the minor and the conduct is consensual. The law simply permits those who have been made sex offenders under those circumstances eligible for removal of the designation.
Please contact me today if your case was adjudicated in Broward County, Miami-Dade County, or Palm Beach County, and you believe that you may qualify for relief.