Former Prosecutor Fighting Rape Charges in Orange County & Seminole County
Rape is among the most detrimental criminal accusations you can get. Even if you don’t get convicted of this sex crime, your life may change drastically upon a rape charge alone. This is because most arrest records become public records, allowing employers, landlords, university officials and other members of the public to view the details of your arrest and subsequent rape accusations. Further, society places negative stereotypes on sex crime suspects, which could result in embarrassment and harassment.
These are some of the countless reasons you need an Orlando rape defense lawyer on your team. Attorney Carrie Rentz can help you feel hopeful that a favorable outcome is possible in your case, even when the odds may seem to be against you. As a former prosecutor with over 15 years of legal experience, our rape attorney in Orlando can plan strategic defenses in anticipation of the prosecution’s attacks, leaving little room for unexpected occurrences in the courtroom. Attorney Carrie Rentz can give you an honest, comprehensive understanding of your rape charges and possible defenses in addition to effective legal counsel at every stage of the process.
To get started on your defense, contact our firm at 407-904-7376! We proudly serve clients in Orange County and Seminole County.
How Does Florida Define Rape?
Rape is a type of forcible sex offense defined as the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person or object, without their consent. Rape can be committed against any gender and includes instances where the victim cannot consent due to:
- temporary or permanent mental incapacity
- temporary or permanent physical incapacity
- age
For a crime to be rape, the following elements must exist:
- any forcible sexual act against another person
- any forcible sexual act committed against another person’s will
- any sexual act committed without force
- any sexual act committed without force but against another person’s will
- any threat of force to commit a sexual act against another person
Rape Crime Penalties in Central Florida
Rape is a felony in Florida, meaning you could face some of the strictest legal punishments if convicted of this offense. Florida rape crime penalties include:
- Capital felony: Punishable by death or life in prison without the possibility of parole and up to $15,000 fines
- First-degree felony: Punishable by 30 years in prison and up to $10,000 fines
- Second-degree felony: Punishable by 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 fines
- Third-degree felony: Punishable by 5 years in prison and up to $5,000 fines Punishable by 5 years in prison and up to $5,000 fines
You will also have to register in Florida’s Sex Offender and Predator System for a certain period of time depending on your convicted offense. Being labeled as a registered sex offender is not only humiliating but can result in tight restrictions on where you can live, work, socialize and exercise. Further, the public can access your personal information, such as:
- Name
- Race
- Sex
- Hair/eye color
- Height
- Weight
- Vehicle information
- Crime information
Aggressively Defending Rape Accusations in Orlando
The stakes are high in Florida rape cases, as the prosecution wastes no time in building their cases against rape suspects. We know this because Attorney Carrie Rentz was once a prosecutor who now uses her knowledge on both sides of the courtroom to defend the accused. When you choose our firm to champion your freedom and best interests, you can rest assured that it will receive the attention and priority it deserves.
Our Orlando Rape Defense Team is ready to discuss your charges. Contact us at 407-904-7376 to begin fighting for your future! We represent clients throughout Orange County and Seminole County.