The Rape Shield Statute Does Not Apply to All Sex Crimes

In the case of Deven Cooper versus the State of Florida, Mr. Cooper was convicted of the crimes of lewd or lascivious battery and molestation. At his trial, Cooper's lawyer was not allowed to question Cooper's accuser about her prior sexual experiences and her denial of any previous sexual experience to a police officer who had investigated the case. Cooper's lawyer was not allowed to do so because the trial judge believed that Florida's Rape Shield Statute prohibits such questions. But in this particular case, the judge was wrong.

The Rape Shield Statute states that "specific instances of prior consensual sexual activity between the victim and any person other than the offender shall not be admitted into evidence in a prosecution." However, this statute pertains only to the crime of sexual battery. Cooper was not charged with committing the crime of sexual battery. Rather, he was charged with committing the crimes of lewd or lascivious battery and molestation. Therefore, the judge should not have prevented Cooper's lawyer from asking the questions he wanted to based upon the Rape Shield Statute.

Share This Blog

HACER UNA PREGUNTA,
DESCRIBE TU SITUACIÓN,
SOLICITA UNA CONSULTA

Llama ahora: (561) 832-4348

Contact Form Sidebar
* Campos RequeridosCampos Requeridos
Su Información Está Segura con Nosotros

Respetamos su privacidad. La información que nos brinda será utilizada para responder sus preguntas o agendar una cita si usted así lo solicita.

Follow Us On

400 Clematis St. Suite 206, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
SI TIENE PREGUNTAS O DESEA AGENDAR UNA CITA PRESIONE AQUÍ PARA LLAMAR AL (561) 832-4348
Desde 1990, el Sr. Chapman ha representado a personas que han sido acusadas de cometer delitos de varios tipos, tales como DUI, violencia doméstica, posesión de armas, posesión de drogas, eliminación de antecedentes penales, infracciones de tránsito, asesinato, homicidio involuntario, abuso infantil, delitos sexuales, abuso de personas mayores, apelaciones y violaciones de libertad condicional.
Abogado de Defensa Criminal en West Palm Beach, FL

© Propiedad Intelectual 2025. Abogado Penalista en Florida. Todos los Derechos Reservados.

linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram