Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorney Blog
After investigating an alleged sexual relationship between a Nassau County teacher and one of his former students, police have cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing. The former student told police she kissed the teacher, but then had sex with the teacher after she turned 18, according to a report in the Florida Times-Union. Once a person turns 18, he or she is legally an adult and it is not a crime for another adult to have consensual sex with an 18-year-old. Technically, 16 is the consent age in the state of Florida, but the age of the sexual partner could make it a Nassau County Sex Crimes case.
The teacher, however, is still facing discipline from the Nassau County School Board and Yulee High School officials have recommended that the board vote to terminate him next month, according to the newspaper report. The investigation in this Nassau County Sex Crimes case started earlier this year after one of the student’s friends said the student said she had sexual contact with the teacher at his home, the newspaper reported. The teacher has been on leave since, the newspaper reported. Had the student been 17 years old, the teacher could have faced a second-degree felony, depending on how old he is. If the teacher is over 24 and has sex with someone under the age of 18, he could be charged with unlawful sex with certain minors, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Equally important, if he was convicted or chose to plead guilty, he would more than likely become a registered sex offender.
Sex crime accusations can be the most difficult to live down and have a tendency to stick with people even if the accusations cannot be proven in court. And if there is a conviction or a plea, sex offenders are subjected to scrutiny and a public broadcasting of their crimes that even people convicted of murder do not experience. Every time a sex offender moves his or her residence, neighbors in a certain vicinity are notified of his or her presence and the crime he or she pleaded to or was convicted of. Sex offenders in Florida are required to notify police when they move and are restricted as to where they live, as it cannot be directly near a school or park where children congregate.
Sex Crimes cases can have serious consequences and our Nassau County Criminal Defense Attorney has represented hundreds of people accused of various sex crimes and knows the potential sentences and scrutiny that come with being a registered sexual offender. Our Nassau County Sex Crimes attorney can explain the consequences and allow you or your loved one to make an informed decision as to how to best move forward with the case.
If you or a loved one needs a criminal defense attorney in Jacksonville or the surrounding area, call The Mussallem Law Firm at (904) 365-5200 for a FREE CONSULTATION. Our Nassau County Sex Crimes Attorney, Victoria “Tori” Mussallem, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.