In the United States, someone is sexually assaulted every 109 seconds. Sexual battery, sexual abuse, rape, and harassment are different terms legally. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, a competent sexual battery lawyer in Miami at Goldberg & Rosen can help you decide on the right course of action.
Misdemeanor or Felony?
Depending on the nature of the crime and the age of both the victim and the defendant, sexual battery can be either a felony or a misdemeanor. In most states where sexual battery is not considered rape, the charges are not serious. But in Florida, rape and sexual battery are used interchangeably and taken very seriously.
Even when there has been no penetration, some instances can still qualify for a felony. These include skin-to-skin contact when both the defendant and the victim are unclothed, or when the victim is a child under 12. Any sexual contact with an unconscious person will also qualify as a felony.
















