Chesterfield Sex Crimes Lawyer
If you have been charged with a sex crime in Virginia, you need an experienced lawyer versed in the complexities of sex crime offenses. A Chesterfield sex crimes lawyer will be familiar with the forensics, psychology, science (DNA), and medicine that pertain to sex crimes in Virginia and therefore will be able to establish a strong criminal defense based on your specific charge and the evidence against you.
Sex Crimes Charges in Chesterfield
A Chesterfield sex crimes attorney will aggressively protect you if you face charges such as:
- Possession and distribution of child pornography
- Internet solicitation
- Rape
- Forcible sodomy
- Object sexual penetration
- Endangering the welfare of a minor
- Attempted sexual battery and sexual battery
- Attempted aggravated sexual battery
- Statutory rape and date rape
- Indecent exposure
- Lewd and lascivious conduct
- Prostitution
This list is not exhaustive. The various sex crimes recognized and categorized by Virginia laws are specifically defined, and these definitions often differ from their common meanings. For example, infected sexual battery involves many types of sexual activity by a person who has certain types of sexually transmitted diseases, and crimes against nature cover a wide array of prohibited acts.
Virginia sex crimes can generally be defined as an individual performing a sexual act with a person who has not given or who cannot give consent. Although the majority of sex crimes cover conduct that involves physical contact with a victim, certain nonconsensual acts without physical contact with another person, such as indecent exposure, are also considered sex crimes.
Sex crimes tend to be categorized into crimes of violence, such as, rape, sodomy, and degrees of sexual battery. Other acts of sexual behavior are prohibited, whether they involve violence or not, such as adultery and fornication by people forbidden to marry.
Chesterfield sex crime laws also protect certain classes of vulnerable victims, such as children and certain categories of adults deemed not to have the capacity to consent to sexual acts. By contacting a Chesterfield sex crimes lawyer you will be able to better understand the specific charges you are facing and what consequences typically accompany this type of charge.
Penalties for Sex Crimes in Virginia
Violent sexual offenses are generally more serious and carry harsher penalties. Sexual offenses may be less serious than violent sexual offenses, but Virginia’s laws for all sex crimes carry additional heavy penalties in the form of the sex offender registry. Even a minor crime like unlawful photographing of another can result in mandatory lifetime registration in the Sexual Offender Registry (readily open to the public). Some relatively minor-seeming offenses provide for lifetime registration in the Sexual Offender Registry upon conviction for a second offense.
Advantages to Contacting a Chesterfield Sex Crimes Lawyer
A Chesterfield sex crime lawyer understands the delicate nature of sex crime cases. In addition to having to defend aggressive prosecution, those charged with sex crimes often face social stigma that can impact relationships, families, and careers throughout the process. We provide every one of our clients charged with sex crimes both dignity and confidentiality as we work to protect their rights and defend them against the accusers. Call us immediately.