Okeechobee County, FL (November 13, 2018) – The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office has charged a teacher with lewd & lascivious battery after he had sex with a 14-year-old female student. The teacher was identified as Richard Shane Miller.

The victim was identified as a female who was 12-15 years of age. Police say that the young girl and the 27-year-old teacher developed a relationship with one another this school year at the Okeechobee School District.

Currently, Miller is facing second-degree felonies and is in jail on a $150,000 bond. The investigation into the matter continues at this time.

Okeechobee County Battery Laws 

Okeechobee County, FL – Teacher Facing Charges of Lewd & Lascivious BatteryLewd and lascivious battery in Florida is also known as statutory rape. This is sexual intercourse that takes place between an adult and somebody who is older than 12 but younger than 16. These crimes are especially serious and are actually considered to be strict liability crimes, which means that you can’t plead ignorant of the child’s age or use that as a defense in court. Some of the defenses that many people use in these cases are not knowing the child’s real age so the sexual acts were unintentional, or the child consented to the sexual act, which puts the responsibility on the adult involved.

When facing these charges, you could be looking at many years in prison and having to register as a sex offender for life, which could have a huge impact on your daily life, the jobs you hold, where you live, and more. Because of this, you need an experienced attorney on your side who has a proven track record to help you receive results you can rely on. We service the Lakeland, Orlando areas and beyond and would be more than happy to hear all about your case.

Because sexual crimes, especially those involving children, can be extremely serious crimes that lead to extensive charges, it is important to have a skilled and knowledgeable attorney on your side to help you defend yourself during this difficult and complicated time. Contact us today at Musca Law, where the outcome of your case matters to us. We are waiting to hear from you at (888) 484-5057.

Note: As a result of the secondary sources that were used to complete this post, the information included within has not been independently verified by our own staff and may include misinformation. If you read something that is incorrect to your knowledge, please contact us as soon as possible and we will correct the inaccuracy.

Disclaimer: As members of the local Naples and broader Florida community, we hope everyone in our community is safe and protected. We cover the events included in this blog as a way to offer support to the victims in similar circumstances and to provide relief during these difficult times. However, this information should not be misconstrued as legal advice, and you should speak with a trained legal professional for more information regarding your situation.