Sex Offenses / Rape
St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa Sex Crime Lawyers
Experienced Representation in High-Profile Sex Offenses
St. Petersburg - Clearwater - Tampa - Pasco County - Manatee County
A sex crime allegation becomes a battle for your freedom and your reputation. A conviction carries a steep prison term, and the state has powers to keep you locked up indefinitely. The mere accusation can permanently alter your personal relationships and professional life.
Hessinger and Kilfin Law upholds your presumption of innocence and your right to challenge the accusations. As former prosecutors, our experienced criminal defense attorneys have handled the most serious and highly sensationalized sexual offenses.
Contact us immediately if you are charged or under investigation for:
- Sexual battery (rape) and date rape
- Aggravated sexual battery (bodily harm or special victims)
- Lewd or lascivious acts (sex crimes against children under 16)
- Unlawful sexual activity (statutory rape)
- Internet solicitation of minors
- Child pornography
- Soliciting/prostitution/pandering
- Indecent exposure
Aggressive Defense of Sex Crime Allegations
Trial lawyers Timothy Hessinger and Donald Kilfin were long-time prosecutors in the Pinellas County State Attorney's Office. In the Major Crime Division, Mr. Hessinger handled numerous high-profile sex cases — serial rape, child abduction and capital sexual battery, and other sex offenses involving teachers, police officers, clergy, youth organization leaders and others in the public eye or positions of authority.
Preparing your defense requires an understanding of how law enforcement investigates sex crimes. (In fact, Mr. Hessinger wrote the manual currently used in child sex cases.) Because of the high stakes, we have to scrutinize the evidence and the victim's credibility: DNA rape kits and chain of custody, identification procedures, inconsistent stories or motivations to fabricate accusations, and constitutional issues relating to searches and arrest.
Our experience as former prosecutors and our familiarity with the state investigating agencies that assist law enforcement (D.C.F., C.P.I.D., Help-a- Child) helps us (a) avoid unwarranted charges that destroy careers or (b) work out reduced charges and sentencing alternatives. We are proactive with psychological testing and counseling to convince the authorities that our client is not at risk to re-offend.
Contact us by e-mail or call us (888) 863-7415 for a free initial consultation. We handle sex crime cases in the Tampa Bay area (Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Manatee County).
See our Sex Crimes Information Center for additional background about the laws and your defense.