Caroline County Sex Crimes Lawyer
Accusations of a sex crime can cause irreparable damage to your reputation, both professionally and personally. A conviction for a sex offense can impact your relationships, your job, your housing, and more, as it may brand you as a registered sex offender for years. The importance of contacting a Caroline County sex crimes lawyer cannot be understated for those who are facing sex offense charges.
The penalties for a sex offense conviction tend to be harsh, especially when the offense involves minors. As a result, you could be facing years in prison if convicted. A criminal defense lawyer may be able to assist those accused of sex offenses by achieving the most favorable outcome allowable, based on the facts of your case.
What are Some Sex-Based Offenses
“Sex crimes” is an expansive area of the law that encompasses a wide variety of behaviors. In most cases, a sex offense involves some sexual contact without the consent of one party, or with a minor; a sex offense may or may not involve an element of force or violence.
Rape
Under Va. Code § 18.2-61, rape occurs when individuals have sexual intercourse with others without their consent and by using force or threats. Rape may also happen when individuals are unable to consent to sex, such as in the case of children under 13 or those who are physically or mentally disabled.
Carnal Knowledge
According to Va. Code § 18.2-63, it is illegal to have “carnal knowledge,” which covers various sexual acts, including intercourse with a child between the ages of 13 and 15. Other code sections define the offenses of unlawful carnal knowledge of minors in juvenile detention facilities or involved in juvenile court proceedings, jail or prison inmates, or parolees or probationers.
Sexual Battery
Sexual battery involves sexual contact with others against their will by using force or threats under Va. Code § 18.2-67.4. Other examples of sexual battery may occur in certain relationships, such as between jail personnel and inmates. Sexual battery becomes aggravated under Va. Code § 18.2-67.3 under some circumstances, such as offenses that involve children under the age of 13 or the usage of dangerous weapons.
Other sexual offenses that involve sexual contact without consent include attempted rape, forcible sodomy, object sexual penetration, sexual abuse of children under 15, and incest. As the consequences of any conviction for a sex offense can be extremely harsh, individuals facing these charges should not hesitate to contact a sex crimes lawyer in Caroline County for advice.
Other Sex-Related Crimes
Some sex offenses do not require any sexual contact to occur, such as prostitution, indecent exposure, and child pornography. While some of these crimes are misdemeanors with more lenient penalties, others can result in felony charges under federal and state law. A sex crimes attorney in Caroline County may be in the best position to define the parameters of these offenses and their potential penalties.
Prostitution
According to Va. Code § 18.2-346, prostitution occurs when persons engage in or offer to engage in sexual acts in exchange for money or any property of value, and take a substantial step toward completing the offer. Likewise, solicitation involves making significant efforts to offer or give money or something of value in exchange for sexual activity.
Child Pornography
Va. Code § 18.2-374.1:1 governs the possession and distribution of child pornography, which constitutes felony offenses. Even though these offenses may not involve any physical sexual contact, they still carry the potential for substantial prison terms and other consequences.
Consult with a Caroline County Sex Crimes Attorney Today
While sex offense charges are mere accusations of wrongdoing, they still can be enough to affect your interpersonal relationships, job, and career. A conviction may result in harsh prison sentences and required sex offender registration long after you have served your sentence. A Caroline County sex crimes lawyer may be able to assist you in building a strong defense to the charges against you.
Sex offenses differ in the charges and the potential penalties that you may face, but they all can have severe ramifications for your life. Do not risk the unwanted consequences of attempting to handle cases such as these without first seeking legal advice.
