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Miami Teacher Facing Lewd And Lascivious Battery Charges

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Teachers are supposed to have a professional relationship with their students. Their job is to educate young people so they can excel in life. Some teachers, however, take their relationships too far and develop romantic feelings toward their students. This was the case for a Florida teacher who is now facing charges of lewd and lascivious battery for engaging in sexual acts with a child.

The 30-year-old teacher was arrested on January 8. The teacher, who was in her seventh year of teaching at Miami Arts Charter School, is being accused of having sex with a 17-year-old boy for the past two years. According to the teen, the two had sex at his home, her home and in her car. He also claims that the teacher would perform sex acts on him in the classroom while the two were alone.

The teacher is also the school’s language arts department chair. She is a graduate of Miami Coral Park Senior High School and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. The woman is being held on a $15,000 bond. She was appointed a lawyer by the court.

What the Law Says

According to Florida Statutes Section 800.04 (4), lewd and lascivious battery occurs when an adult engages in sexual activity with a child between the ages of 12 and 16. Sexual activity is defined as vaginal, oral or anal penetration by an object or another sexual organ. It includes prostitution, bestiality, sadomasochistic abuse. Enticing, encouraging or forcing a child to engage in any other type of sexual activity falls under this statute as well.

Lewd and lascivious battery is classified as a second degree felony. It is punishable by a $10,000 fine, 15 years in prison and 15 years of probation. If a person was previously convicted of lewd and lascivious battery, a second offense would be charged as a first degree felony, which comes with even harsher penalties.

Those convicted of lewd and lascivious battery will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Florida has some of the strictest sex offender registration laws in the country. There are two categories of punishment: sex offenders and sexual predators.

Sexual predators face lifetime registration on the sex offender registry. Those who commit the most serious crimes are considered sexual predators. Unlawful sexual activity with minors falls under this category. Therefore, it’s possible that the teacher in this case could face sex offender registry as well as other harsh penalties unless she seeks a strong defense for her alleged crime.

Get Help for Your Criminal Case

Lewd and lascivious battery is taken seriously in Florida. It is considered a felony and comes with prison time and other penalties. Such a charge can affect you for the rest of your life, so it’s important that you take swift action to protect your legal rights.

Let the Dade City criminal defense attorneys at Madonna Law Group help you with your case. Our experienced lawyers will fight aggressively to reduce your criminal charges. Don’t fight this battle alone. To schedule your consultation, contact us at (800) 557-0411.

Resource:

nbcmiami.com/news/local/Miami-Arts-Charter-School-Teacher-Accused-of-Sex-With-Teen-Student-468347413.html

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