On behalf of The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A.
In today’s society, people spend more time on social media outlets like Facebook than ever before. With all this online communication comes an increased possibility of people misinterpreting what a person is trying to say. Without other social cues, words and sentences can be taken out of context and it can appear that people are trying to do or say something that they are not. In some situations, these miscommunications can lead to criminal charges.
Recently, a high school teacher in South Florida has been arrested and charged with sex crimes following conversations she had with some of her students on Facebook. According to police, the 31-year-old teacher solicited sex from four teenage boys ranging from 15 to 17 years old. Police claim that these boys were former students from the school the teacher had been fired from earlier this spring.
Police allege that the teacher made sexually explicit comments and suggestions to the boys. Furthermore, the woman is accused of offering the boys marijuana in exchange for a sleepover at her house.
Following these accusations, the woman was arrested and charged with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices. She is being held by the Palm Beach Sheriff and bail has been set at $25,000. As a result of these allegations, the teacher has been put on unpaid leave just four days into the new school year.
Online solicitation charges and other child sex crimes are serious charges in Florida. As can be seen in this case, even allegations can have serious repercussions for a person. People should be careful about what they publish online to avoid these serious charges.
Once people are facing charges for sex crimes, they should understand that they are entitled to a criminal defense. This defense can help clear a person’s name and, in some cases, show that the situation was a misunderstanding.
When you need a criminal law attorney in Fort Lauderdale, you can contact us by calling 954-533-2756 for a free consultation.
