Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorney Blog
A Nassau County teacher is facing a felony charge, accused of having a sexual relationship with a former student – beginning when she was 17 years old. Police started looking into rumors of the relationship earlier this year, but made the arrest after more information was brought forward, including from the defendant’s sister-in-law, according to a report on News4Jax. The sister-in-law told the teacher’s wife, who then confronted the man, who allegedly admitted to the relationship, the television station reported.
The defendant initially told police the relationship started after the girl turned 18, but the student said it began months prior to her birthday and the television station reported the man eventually admitted the same to detectives. He is charged with unlawful sex with a minor, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in state prison. This particular charge applies to people 24 and older who have sex with teens either 16 or 17 years of age, according to Florida law. In this Nassau County Sex Crimes case, the defendant is 32 years old – clearly above the threshold of 24. Once a person turns 18, he or she is legally an adult and there are not laws that govern consensual sex with another adult. There could have been issues in this Nassau County Sex Crimes Case because the man was the alleged victim’s teacher, but the age is what the state is basing its charges on in this case. And, based on media reports and the alleged admissions from both the alleged victim and defendant, the state has the age piece locked up. There is no argument that needs to be made on consent in these types of Nassau County Sex Crimes Cases. The law does not empower 16- or 17-year-olds to have sex with people over the age of 24, and it’s on the adult to know the law, or be charged with a Nassau County Sex Crime.
The sentencing threshold is rather high, and the details of the case will determine where the case falls in terms of a sentence in state prison – if the judge chooses that route. But it’s highly unlikely there will be any sentence that does not include requiring the defendant to register as a sex offender. Anyone convicted of a Nassau County Sex Crime of this nature is required to check in with police at least twice a year, and notify police when he or she moves to a new house or apartment. And, once a registered sex offender moves into a new neighborhood, neighbors are notified of his or her presence, with a photo of the person and a description of the charge that classified the person as a sex offender. And even though a person convicted of a Nassau County Sex Crime may do his or her time in jail or prison and want to move on, the stigma and registration requirements do not go away. Our Nassau County Sex Crimes Attorney knows the details and requirements of sex offender registrations and can explain those to you or your loved one so you can make the best decision going forward.
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.