Man Plead Not Guilty To Sex Charge
Michael B. Cohen, Esq. is a Fort Lauderdale Sex Crimes Attorney whose Broward County Office is centrally located right off the Interstate 95 Cypress Creek Road Exit. His law firm mostly serves Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties determinedly defending State and Federal criminal allegations.
Sexual misconduct cases such as sexual assault have flooded the news cycle in 2017 from high-profile Hollywood personalities to members of Congress. Even the President of the United States has been accused of unwanted sexual conduct.
In many instances, these cases are hard to prove as it’s difficult to substantiate allegations without physical proof. And even with matching DNA the question of “consensual” is always a viable defense for an accused client.
Below is an article that was posted on this Website a few years ago that relates to this subject. A more recent article appears here.
To read more detailed articles on this subject, visit Mr. Cohen’s legal blog by clicking here.
Man Plead Not Guilty To Sex Charge
Steven Johnson pled not guilty today to a charge of a sexual act relating to a minor. The child asserts that he held her confined to his house in excess of three years. Police arrested both Mr. Johnson and his mother, Owida Johnson after a 19-year-old woman told police that Johnson kept her captive there for three years, repeatedly sexually assaulting and beating her.
The teen told police that she met Johnson socially and went to his home voluntarily but then wasn’t allowed to leave. She claimed she was finally able to escape Aug. 20 with help from a relative. She also claimed that Johnson was the father of her 2-year-old child who was conceived during the time of her captivity according to police.
Johnson, who was over 18 at the time of the alleged seizure, was charged with five offenses, including drug & weapons violations and promotion of prostitution. Only one of the five charges, which is a felony count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse that contends that he had sex with the teen around the time she disappeared, relates to the her. That charge accuses Johnson of having sex with her while she was underage.
The Johnsons remained jailed without bond.
In cases of alleged sexual assault many circumstances are no more than a “he said, she said” situation where the prosecution must prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
The evidence in the above case appears damning because of the eyewitness account. In a case such as this one an attorney would most likely explain to his client that trying to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecution would probably be his best option.
However, that option is always left up to the client’s decision.
In many other cases where sexual misbehavior is charged, going to trial to prove one’s innocence can be a better option; especially if the charges are possibly fabricated and the evidence presented if sketchy.
Michael B. Cohen, Esq. is a Fort Lauderdale sex crimes attorney who can provide proper advice and a free case evaluation if any charges relating to sexual misconduct are lodged against you or someone you care about.
Mr. Cohen can be reached at his main office which is just minutes away from all major cities in Southeast Florida. Located at 6400 North Andrews Ave., it’s easily accessible from all major highways and the firm’s hours of operation are 24/7. This guarantees his continuous accessibility when calling him at: 954.928.0059.
If you or someone you care about is arrested for this type of crime, an experienced Sex Crimes Lawyer who practices in Fort Lauderdale is essential to speak with as soon as a conference can be arranged.
A conviction for a sex related crime can have overwhelming effects on your way of life which also includes being added to the FDLE sexual predator registry.
Always fight charges that can ruin your life. The Fort Lauderdale Law Office of Michael B. Cohen is only a phone call away.
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If I find myself or a family member facing these charges what do I do next?