South Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
In Florida anyone convicted of a sex crime, or sexually motivated crime, can be designated either as a sexual offender or a sexual predator.
These sex crimes designations come with the most restrictive forms of supervision of any category of crime. Drug trafficking, cocaine possession and cocaine delivery, theft crimes and murder does not restrict where you may live. Sex offense probation does.
Drug crime convictions usually get you drug offender probation.
In drug cases you are supervised as to your use of controlled substances.
Sex crimes come with onerous restrictions which are almost impossible to observe. Many if not most probationers on sex crime probation have the most problem with housing. Now it gets even tougher.
Obtaining housing, either alone or with family in South Florida cities and towns, such as Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Hollywood may soon be more restricted than most probation and community control rules.
Many towns have by local ordinance increased the State mandated 1000 foot range to 2500 feet. Living if you’re a sex offender or a designated sexual predator soon becomes much harder.
Florida law makes it a crime for sex offenders and predators tot live within 1,000 feet of a school, park or child care facility. Many local towns, such as Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, and soon West Palm Beach have followed the lead of other Florida cities and counties.
Soon towns may mandate a 2,500 feet distance: a full quarter mile. Nowhere in Broward County can you be more than a quarter mile from a school bus stop.
Probation violations are a problem every convicted felon on probation must deal with.
Contact your local criminal attorney for a consultation. The Law offices of Ralph Behr is available to counsel you or a family member under probation supervision or community control in Florida.