Colonial Heights Sex Crimes Attorney
Due to the harsh legal and social consequences associated with sex crimes allegations, seeking the counsel of a reliable, skilled Colonial Heights criminal attorney is very important if you have been charged with such an offense.
Sex crimes are serious offenses that can result in penalties ranging from minimum prison sentences to a lifetime listing as a registered sex offender on the Virginia Sex Offender Registry. Even just an allegation of a sex offense is enough to harm a person’s reputation. The Colonial Heights sex crimes attorneys at our firm have experience handling these types of sensitive cases.
How Our Sex Crime Attorneys Can Help
In Virginia, a sex crime may be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony offense. Any sex crime charge, regardless of classification, requires the immediate attention of a sex crimes lawyer from Colonial Heights, because Virginia courts prosecute these crimes aggressively. Due to the severity of sex crimes, these cases need the fervent and powerful advocacy that can be provided by a knowledgeable and zealous attorney, like those from our legal staff.
Our sex crime attorneys in Colonial Heights will engage in the most effective approach for the best possible outcome by:
- Conducting a detailed examination of the evidence against you;
- Examining all police and investigative procedures to verify whether your rights were violated at any point; and,
- Looking for any ground to have the charges dismissed or weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
Sex Crimes in Colonial Heights Defined
In Virginia, a sex crime is generally defined as a sexual act on a person that has not given or is incapable of giving consent. Virginia Code section 18.2-61 through section 18.2-67.10 covers various sex crimes, many of which are broken down further based on the situational facts behind an offense such as who the victim is, how old the victim was during the alleged event, and the mental capacity of the victim at the time of the alleged event. The Virginia Code handles each sex offense differently. However, in all cases of this nature, having an advocate in the form of a Colonial Heights sex crimes lawyer will lessen the stress and pressure in tackling such case.
Some common examples of sex crimes and their associated penalties include:
Rape: Rape is defined as having sexual intercourse with another, or causing someone else to have sex with another person, against their will, by force, with threat or intimidation, or through the mental or physically incapacitation of the complaining party. The penalty for rape is a felony conviction that carries anywhere from five years in prison to up to life in prison.
Statutory Rape: Statutory rape is defined as sexual intercourse with a child under the age of thirteen and carries a five-year prison sentence.
Sexual Battery: Sexual battery is defined as committing “sexual abuses” on an individual against their will or with force or intimidation. Sexual battery is classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor offense, which results up to twelve (12) months in jail and/or a fine or up to $2,500.
Aggravated Sexual Battery: Aggravated sexual battery is defined as committing “sexual abuses” on an individual, through the use of force, through the threat of the use of force or intimidation, that causes serious bodily or mental injury, or through the threat or use of a deadly weapon. The penalties include a felony conviction, up to 20 years in prison, and up to $100,000 in fines.
See a Colonial Heights Sex Crimes Lawyer Today
Our Colonial Heights sex crimes lawyers understand how difficult it can be to face a sex crime charge and are dedicated to protecting your rights. If you are facing a charge for a sex crime, contact our legal team immediately so our experienced sex crimes attorneys can begin evaluating the strengths of your case.