Child victims present unique obstacles in criminal defense cases that many who are charged with such crimes are not aware of. Penalties for violent or sexual crimes are usually much stiffer when the victim is a child. There are several rules that must be followed when representing a person charged of such an offense. Other considerations must also be addressed regarding the manner in which evidence is produced. At The Law Office of Gabriel & Gabriel, attorney Brian Gabriel has the experience necessary to abide by all guidelines when developing a strong case.
There are special rules regarding the manner in which children are interviewed that must be considered when constructing a solid defense strategy. Limitations on interviews with child abuse victims exist to protect the children who have allegedly been harmed. If you have been charged with a violent crime against a child, including child abuse or sexual abuse of a child, you need strong representation.
The majority of crimes against children are felony offenses in Florida. What’s more? A second degree felony could easily turn into a first degree felony if the victim was a child. The victim’s age in many crimes can be considered an aggravating factor, or a factor that leads to increased punishment. On top of heightened penalties, you generally must deal with limited resources as there are key restrictions to developing a compelling case.
Interviewing Young Victims of Abuse
Crimes against children are typically crimes of abuse where a child has been physically, mentally, or sexually abused. The effects of such crimes can have a lasting and devastating impact on victims. In Palm Beach County, an administrative order established by the courts for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit limits the number of interviews victims under 13 can endure. An interview in this sense is defined as “any procedure in which the child victim is required to provide a factual recitation of the circumstances surrounding the allegation of abuse.”
Florida courts are highly concerned with protecting a child’s best interests. As a result, a child in Palm Beach County under thirteen cannot be subject to more than four interviews throughout the course of the investigation and prosecution. This can present challenges to your defense that only an experienced and dedicated criminal defense attorney can tackle.
Crimes against children tend to carry more weight in the justice system. Those who are accused of child sexual abuse often have their reputations damaged before the case even goes to trial. These crimes are among the most difficult to defend, as there is a collective societal thirst to see to it that those who hurt children are punished more severely for their crimes. Penalties can include decades-long prison sentences and fines in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Do not wait to develop a strong defense, call The Law Office of Gabriel & Gabriel at 561-622-5575 or contact us online to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
