Richmond Sex Crimes Charges
A sex crime is an act toward the body of another individual who is either unable to give consent literally or legally. Prosecutors in Virginia take sex crime offenses seriously and want those accused of the crime to be punished accordingly. This is why it is vital for anyone facing Richmond sex crimes charges to contact a seasoned defense lawyer right away. A dedicated attorney could stand by your side and fight on your behalf to ensure that your rights are being protected.
Defining Sex Crime
There are different types of sex crimes, but generally, a sex crime is defined as any time a witness or an individual alleges that another person has had contact with any of the codified sexual parts of the body. This includes but is not limited to breasts, buttocks, male and female genitalia, either against the will of the person or with the consent of someone who is not legally able to give consent (a minor or mentally-incapacitated individual).
Level of Offenses and Penalties
In Virginia law, there are many types of sex crimes charges in Richmond that can range from Class 4 Misdemeanor all the way up to undefined felonies. A Class 4 misdemeanor is going to carry a fine up to $250 and will not include jail time. A Class 4 felony will result in a find of up to $100,000 and two to 10 years in prison. If someone receives a Class 1 felony, they are looking at not only the $100,000 fine but also life imprisonment.
Felony Sex Crimes
Richmond sex crimes charges that can result in a felony include:
- Rape
- Aggravated sexual battery
- Carnal knowledge (when a person knows a minor is older than 13-years-old but not older than 15)
- Object sexual penetration
Unique Aspects of Sex Crimes Cases
Sex crimes are very sensitive at their core. While the law says an individual is innocent until proven guilty, the stigma surrounding sex crimes is such that once an individual is accused of the act, they are automatically assumed guilty by the public. Then it can be an uphill battle for the defendant to show the public, judge, and jury that they are innocent. The major issue an individual is dealing with when facing a sex crime is the lack of presumption of innocence.
Other Consequences of Being Accused of a Sex Crime
The negative impact that comes with being charged with a sexual offense is that it can cause many problems in the individual’s life before any conviction of a sex crime. It can affect the job a person has, their future job opportunities, housing, place constraints on their freedom, and many issues to the person’s family life.
Every sexual crime is very sensitive and private. These cases involve the kind of information that people would not typically want to be expressed in the public light, and unless there is a minor involved in the sexual offense, all the hearings are public with people in the courtroom. The court of public opinion has a negative stigma attached to anyone who is charged with a sex offense.
Some news publications do not put the faces of individuals who are being charged with a sexual offense on the news because once that image is shown, whether they are ultimately acquitted or not, it does not matter for the person’s future. One someone’s face is on TV with the word rape underneath it then the public is going to believe they are a rapist from that point forward.
A professional lawyer could help someone who has been arrested for any Richmond sex crimes charges. An attorney could advocate on the defendant’s behalf to ensure they get a fair trial.
