{"id":807,"date":"2020-07-07T15:38:06","date_gmt":"2020-07-07T19:38:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clearwatercriminallawyer.net\/?p=807"},"modified":"2026-01-31T13:30:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T18:30:38","slug":"florida-court-discusses-downward-departure-sentences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.criminalattorneyclearwater.net\/blog\/florida-court-discusses-downward-departure-sentences\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida Court Discusses Downward Departure Sentences"},"content":{"rendered":"

In some cases in which a person is charged with a sex crime, the person can avoid a conviction or obtain a lesser sentence if the evidence demonstrates that the alleged victim willingly participated in sexual activity with the defendant. Recently, a Florida court discussed when evidence that a victim was a willing participant can be used to justify a downward departure of a sentence in a case<\/a> in which the defendant was convicted of multiple crimes involving sex with a minor. If you are accused of having sex with a minor or any other sex crime, it is advisable to speak to a trusted Clearwater sex crime defense attorney to assess what defenses you may be able to set forth.<\/p>\n

Facts of the Case<\/h2>\n

Allegedly, the defendant, who was 52-years-old, became involved in a sexual relationship with the victim, who was his 17-year-old niece. The defendant\u2019s behavior became aggressive, and he began threatening to accuse the victim\u2019s brother of a crime if she ended their relationship. The victim ultimately told her mother about her involvement with the defendant, and the defendant was arrested and charged with multiple crimes involving sex with a minor.<\/p>\n

It is reported that the defendant pleaded no contest to the charges. During the sentencing hearing, the prosecution presented testimony regarding the defendant\u2019s grooming of the victim and an impact statement from the victim. The trial court also stated that the case appeared to be a classic representation of grooming. The court imposed a downward departure from the minimum sentence of 264 months in prison, however, and only imposed a five-year sentence, based on a finding that the victim was a willing participant. The State appealed, arguing the court erred in granting a downward departure.<\/p>\n

Continue reading \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In some cases in which a person is charged with a sex crime, the person can avoid a conviction or obtain a lesser sentence if the evidence demonstrates that the alleged victim willingly participated in sexual activity with the defendant. Recently, a Florida court discussed when evidence that a victim was a willing participant can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sex-crimes","category-sex-with-minor"],"yoast_head":"\nCriminal Appeal: Downward Departure Sentences<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Accused of sentencing? See how this ruling on downward departure sentences may help or hurt your defense in Pinellas County. 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