How to Choose an Experienced Sex Crime Attorney In Orlando

Are you looking for an Orlando sex crimes attorney? If you or someone you know is involved in a sexual crime case or has been the victim of sex abuse or sexual battery, then you need the best possible legal help you can find. 

Sexual crimes are a very serious matter, and they happen more than most would like to think. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), there is a sexual assault in America every 73 seconds. 

The majority of these attacks happen in or near the victim’s home, and every year tens of thousands of children are victims of sexual crimes. 

These crimes are often traumatizing. Victims are injured physically, and often have to carry the scars of sexual victimization for a lifetime. 

Florida is no exception. Sexual crimes happen here every day, and the effects are severe. With help from an expert Orlando sex crimes attorney, you can get the justice and support you deserve. 

Why Finding an Expert Orlando Sex Crimes Attorney Matters So Much

What happens in the hours and days after a sexual crime occurs is critical. Gathering physical evidence, written statements and witness accounts are vital to the outcome of both your criminal case and any damages you pursue. 

Depending on the severity of the crime, recovery can be very expensive. Not only do sexual crime victims require medical attention and sometimes surgery, but they often need years of mental health support to successfully manage the experience. 

Victims of sexual crimes often suffer lasting damage that affects their ability to work, pursue educational goals, or support a family. 

A seasoned Orlando sex crimes attorney will know how to act after a crime occurs. They can direct you to the best medical experts to gather good evidence, and they can help you strategize the best way to pursue damages. 

Most people know to look for an attorney after something horrible happens, but how do you find an experienced sex crime attorney in Orlando? Here are some things that can help you choose an experienced attorney who can help you get the best results. 

Step #1 – Find an Orlando Sex Crimes Attorney Who Will Take Action Now

An experienced sex crimes lawyer will take action in your case almost immediately. We know that, especially after dealing with a sexual assault or similar crime, the last thing an individual or a family wants to do is deal with the police, lawyers, insurance companies, hospitals, and other parties. 

The right lawyer will take all of that off of your plate and take on the task of helping you navigate the legal system. They will have years of work experience, and established relationships with law enforcement and the courts. 

They’ll also know what to say and how to manage communications with medical practitioners, other attorneys, and any insurance companies involved. 

It’s important that you feel confident in your lawyer’s ability and they start making things happen right away. 

Step #2 – The Best Orlando Sex Crimes Attorney Will Have a Track Record to Prove It

Don’t just take any attorney’s word for it. If you look in the wrong places, it’s easy to find a lawyer who sounds good on the phone but who has very little, if any at all, experience dealing with sexual crimes cases. 

Never hire a lawyer until you know that they have a track record in the area in which you need help. In this instance, they need to have a demonstrated record of success around sexual crimes. 

That means aggressively pursuing settlements or personal injury cases against perpetrators and other at-fault parties. A good attorney will look at things like:

• Whether there was any negligence that contributed to the crimes
• If there was a lack of adequate security that may have prevented the incident
• If a lapse in the justice or legal system contributed to the crime
• Did a school or other institution foster the perpetrator or contribute to allowing to to occur

Sexual crimes don’t happen in a vacuum, and a good lawyer who specializes in sexual crimes will know where to look. 

Step #3 – Ask About Past Sexual Crimes Case Outcomes

It’s great if you can find an attorney who specializes in dealing with sexual crimes, but even better if you can hire a law firm with demonstrated success. 

If you’re on the phone during a consultation with a lawyer, ask them about similar cases that they’ve handled. What were the outcomes? If there was a settlement, how much was it for? How long did the process take?

Another good idea is to conduct an online search for similar cases. Read about large settlements and then look for the law firm that handled the case. 

Insider Advice – One important thing to remember is that, when dealing with companies culpable in a sexual crime, settlements are often confidential. They may not show up in the news. You should ask your lawyer directly to hear what the outcomes were. 

Step #4 – Look for Personal Attention

Sexual crimes are often devastating to the victims and the people around them. The lack of control and the scars of the trauma linger long after the crime is committed. 

After such a harrowing experience, relinquishing control of your case to a new attorney can be anxiety-inducing. 

These relationships will last months, maybe even years as you pursue a civil case and deal with settlement negotiations. You need an Orlando sex crimes attorney who will give you the attention you need so you can have confidence in what’s going on. 

No one wants to be in the dark, especially when there is so much on the line. 

When you’re interviewing law firms, pay attention to how they answer your questions and how much time they’re willing to give you. Notice how quickly they respond to emails or phone calls. These can be an indication of how they’ll communicate as they are working on your case. 

Step #5 – Conducting Your Online Search for an Orlando Sex Crimes Attorney

Most of the research we do these days is done online. Sure, people still ask for referrals, and recommendations from friends and family are always important. 

However, just because your friend or a work colleague knows a good lawyer, it doesn’t mean they’re suitable for your sex crimes case. 

What you need is a lawyer who specializes in these types of cases, one who has spent years working on situations similar to yours. There’s too much at stake to go with the family attorney unless this is an area of true expertise. 

Get online and look for law firms and attorneys who specialize in sex crimes. Then, read reviews if available to find out what kind of experience other clients have had. 

Once you have a few potential firms in mind, give them a call and schedule consultations. 

While you’re on their website, check to make sure your case is one of their areas of practice. Often, law firms will have links to case results or settlements where you can read about what kind of outcomes they’ve achieved for other clients. 

Step #6 – Get Your Attorney-Client Agreement in Writing

After you’ve done the rounds and have interviewed different attorneys, it’s time to choose. 

The best thing you can do is go with a mix of going with your gut and choosing a firm with a good track record. Don’t base your decision entirely on feelings, and don’t hire a firm just because they’ve got a shiny reputation. It’s got to be a good fit too. 

When you’ve made a final decision, though, you need to get it in writing. It’s not so much that a lawyer will take advantage of your situation, it rarely happens. Most lawyers are well-intentioned and want to do good for their clients.

A written agreement simply lets you and the attorney know what to expect as you build your case and pursue financial damages after a sex crime. It will lay out some of the ground rules of the relationship and it’s something you can always refer back to whenever you have questions,

Additionally, a written agreement protects you just in case. 

Making the Right Choice Can Make All the Difference

At the end of the day, you need a lawyer who has years of experience defending victims of sexual crimes. 

They should understand that every case is different. The crime is different, and the impact on victims and their families is unique. 

The circumstances around a sexual crime are hard to deal with, especially when you’re having to manage everything so soon after the crime occurred. You’re talking to police officers, dealing with medical appointments, and other tasks all while you and your loved ones try to process what has happened. 

At Leighton Panoff Law, we’ve spent decades advocating for our clients to pursue cases against those responsible for sexual crimes. We can help you overcome some of the challenges associated with sexual crime damages and will take the complexity out of the legal system for you.  Our managing partner is the President of the National Crime Victim Bar Association and author of the textbook on handling these types of cases.  These case are not for amateurs.  If you have been victimized, don’t take chances with an attorney who is not an expert in the field.

Talk to us today to hear how we can help.