A Fort Lauderdale cop is the one fighting criminal charges after authorities say that he communicated illegally online with a minor. A Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer may help the man defend against the allegations. Police say that the man accused works at a security officer in two Catholic schools.
Police say that the man sent an illegal photo to a person he believed was underage. In reality, he was talking to an undercover agent. In the State of Florida, it is illegal to send lewd photos to a minor. Police say that the man sent two images. The charge that the man faces is the transmission of illegal and harmful material to a minor. Because of the severity of the charges, the man may choose to work with a Fort Lauderdale sexual crime lawyer.
The man is on administrative leave from his job while the case is pending. He has worked as a police officer for approximately five years. Despite his position of authority as a law enforcement officer, the man faces the same charges that any citizen may face in the same situation. The police department that he works for said through a representative that the accusations against the man do not reflect the character and standards of their police department.
The police department union said that the arrest is not related to his job. For that reason, they say that a union attorney does not represent the man in his criminal matter. Instead, the man may work with a Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer of his choosing.
Crimes involving minors are severe in nature. A person who is convicted faces significant jail time and other penalties. The charge of transmission of harmful material to a minor is punishable by up to five years in prison. There is also a possibility of five years of probation and a $5,000 fine.
Florida law 847.0138 is the law that prohibits the transmission of harmful material to a minor. It covers situations where the person mistakenly believes the individual to be a minor. To transmit the material means to send it including by electronic mail.
The individual facing the charges may work with their Fort Lauderdale sexual crime lawyer to present a defense. The charge requires law enforcement to prove what the individual knew or believed at the time they committed the act. The accused has a right to call witnesses and speak under oath in their own defense. If you or someone you know have been in a similar legal situation contact Hassett & Associates, P.A. at 954-791-3939.
