Being charged with and convicted of a sex crime is life-altering. A crime of this magnitude can also produce significant financial and social implications. Additionally, you may face an extended prison sentence, fees, and fines.
A strategic defense is critical to your defense and future. Contact a Carrollton criminal defense lawyer at J. Ryan Brown Law to discuss your case with a sex crimes lawyer. You will be treated with deserved dignity and respect, and we will represent your right to a fair trial under the law.
You will likely have questions after being charged with a sex crime, and a Carrollton sex crimes attorney can provide answers and guidance for legal expectations. The charges against you must be thoroughly assessed and investigated to provide a robust defense. A sex crimes lawyer in Carrollton will offer the following assistance and navigational tools to defend against the charges you are facing.
Many types of evidence may exist for your defense. A Carrollton sex crimes attorney will review the following information to determine if the charges against you fit the crime:
Sound evidence may prove that the charges against you are false, inaccurate, or could not have been committed at the time they were portrayed to have occurred. Working with a sex crimes attorney in Carrollton at J. Ryan Brown Law ensures no stone will remain unturned in your defense.
You may have been accused of a sex crime you did not commit. These severe mistakes should never be taken lightly, with the expectation that the situation will correct itself. Innocent individuals have lost years of life to accusations that could have been proven false with the experienced representation of sex crimes lawyers looking out for your best interests. In addition to being falsely accused of a crime you did not commit, the following incidents may increase the potential of being charged with a crime:
Speaking with a Carrollton sex crimes attorney before agreeing to searches, testing, polygraphs, or statements to law enforcement will give you perspective on what to expect and what actions to avoid to protect against criminal charges. One of our experienced sex crimes attorneys at J. Ryan Brown Law will begin a strategic legal defense to protect your rights and future.
Every individual is innocent under the law until proven guilty. Additionally, the procedures used to conduct a case should be within the limits of the law. Overzealous investigators may step outside the legal boundaries, crossing the lines to infringe upon your rights. We will review the following information to protect you against illegal practices that threaten your right to fair treatment under the law:
Individuals arrested for sex crimes in Carrollton may experience bias. It takes courage to fight the charges against you. However, our sex crimes attorneys are known for their tenacious stance for every client.
The case that is built and presented against you is orchestrated by multiple parties with legal credibility who are committed to seeking a legal conviction against you. You also need a formidable team and attorney to work for you. J. Ryan Brown Law wants to ensure that no one fights alone. You can expect a sex crimes lawyer with our team to provide the following:
We believe in our ability to defend you. More importantly, our previous clients’ testimonials demonstrate our willingness and dedication to the cases we represent. We strive to understand your unique situation and provide calming guidance through a very unsettling time. Read more about how we have helped others in these client reviews.
Under Georgia Law (O.C.G.A. §42-1-12 (20)) (Pg. 7), a sexual offender is any individual:
As a sex offender, you will have been found guilty of one of the following sex crimes in Carrollton.
Rape: Knowingly forcing penetration of the sexual organs. A marriage contract does not serve as a defense against this charge. Being charged with rape may be punishable by death, life in prison without parole, imprisonment for life, or a split sentence for not less than 25 years and not exceeding a life term, with probation for life (O.C.G.A. §16-6-1).
Statutory rape: Engaging in an unconsentual sexual act with an individual under the age of 16 who is not your spouse. Penalties may vary depending on your age at the time of the act and the age of the person who endured the sexual act (O.C.G.A. §16-6-3).
Aggravated sodomy: A sexual act committed on someone involving their anus or mouth and using physical threats or force to require them to submit to or perform an act. Individuals convicted of this crime may face up to 25 years and not exceeding life imprisonment. Additionally, the individual will receive probation for life (O.C.G.A. §16-6-2).
Child molestation: Performing an indecent or immoral act in the presence of a child, including the distribution of images of a child that encourage, engage, or promote sexual activities intended to arouse a person or the desires of a child. Penalties increase with each conviction (O.C.G.A §16-4-4).
These sex crimes are only a few of the more severe sex crimes you may be charged with in Georgia. There are even more of them that can require a lifetime of sex offender registration if you are convicted. Recognizing the legal ramifications of these charges and what you can do to fight these serious offenses is critical. Speak with one of our experienced sex crimes lawyers in Carrollton, GA, as soon as possible if you are charged with any sex crime.
The crime you are accused of will determine how much time is allowed for charges to be brought against you. J. Ryan Brown Law strives to ensure the appropriate time frame is observed in your case. The times allowed to seek charges for a sex crime may have no limitations depending on the act.
Other cases may allow less time to file charges for sex crimes. Review a list of criminal statutes of limitations for the state of Georgia. Other factors include:
Having identifiable DNA linked to you from a sex crime removes the statute of limitations, allowing charges to be brought against you at any time. Waiting to reach out to a Georgia sex crimes lawyer if you are charged with a sex crime can impact the integrity of evidence in your favor.
You may feel anger, uncertainty, and overwhelming fear if you are charged with a sex crime in Carrollton. Your reaction to an arrest can set the tone for legal procedures moving forward. Follow these steps to protect your rights and strive for the best outcome possible:
Learn more about these five things to do if you are arrested in Georgia. Undoing any damage from the time of an arrest creates additional complications for you and your case. If you are arrested for a crime, we want to provide avenues for dealing effectively with law enforcement and the requests made of you.
The court process following an arrest for a sex crime in Carrollton will likely take years before a case can be resolved. Life may feel like you are in legal limbo as you await the trial process and proceed through a lengthy court case. A Carrollton sex crimes attorney will guide you through the process, keeping you informed each step of the way.
Before the court process begins, you will likely face arrest. By law, the arresting officer must read your Miranda rights. Failing to read your Miranda rights during an arrest may lead to any statements you make following the arrest being deleted from the evidence presented in court.
Miranda rights grant the right to remain silent. These rights also allow you to have a sex crimes lawyer in Carrollton, GA, present when you are questioned by law enforcement. By requesting legal representation, your attorney will strive to prevent unfair questioning tactics and preserve your rights.
A bond is a dollar amount set by the courts for your release from jail until your case goes to court. Paying bond allows arrested individuals to presume life outside of jail as innocent until proven otherwise by the court. A bond guarantees that you will continue cooperating with the court until the case is concluded.
A judge may require additional stipulations for a release from jail for sex crimes. A Carrollton sex crimes attorney will strive to secure your release on bond and work with you to ensure these restrictions are followed. Failing to follow the court’s orders could lead to jail time until a case begins.
A sex crimes lawyer in Carrollton, GA, can represent you during a preliminary hearing. The judge now determines whether the evidence against you is substantial enough to proceed with trial. Having your best interests represented by an attorney advocating for your rights may uncover discrepancies or a lack of evidence, leading to a judge dismissing the case against you.
Your attorney will review the evidence or lack of evidence against you, making motions to suppress any evidence or information illegally obtained against you. A motion will be made to suppress evidence obtained through illegal searches and seizures, failing to read your Miranda rights and any other acts by law enforcement outside of the legal boundaries. Additionally, your attorney may make a motion to obtain evidence that may be used against you to gain insight into the case against you.
Your case may proceed to trial, where your Georgia sex crimes attorney will present arguments in your favor to a judge or jury. Your legal representative will advocate for the best options for a trial based on your unique situation.
If you are found guilty of a sex crime in Carrollton, GA, a sex crimes attorney will be by your side to file an appeal. Your attorney may seek a new trial or advocate for overturning a guilty verdict when evidence suggests you have been wrongfully convicted. An appeals court may also review your case for procedural errors, demonstrating that the law was not impartial, leading to an unfair trial.
In addition to a prison sentence, an individual convicted of a sex crime may be responsible for fines, securing counseling, and other penalties defined by the court. Many sex crime convictions in Georgia require an individual to register on the Georgia Sexual Offender Registry. You may find additional answers about registering as a sex offender on the Sex Offender Registry Frequently Asked Questions page. Being convicted of a sex crime in Carrollton will also impact:
Failure to comply with Georgia sex crime laws, such as registering as an offender, may extend a prison sentence and lead to other penalties. Additionally, your record as a convicted sex criminal will remain on your history for the remainder of your life. Registering as a sex offender will be required throughout life unless you qualify for removal from the Georgia sex offender registry.
Individuals accused of sex crimes in Georgia face severe lifelong penalties. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. The J. Ryan Brown Law team believes in your right to sound legal representation.
Let us discuss your options for a plea agreement when this is the best choice in your case. Your attorney will also take the proper steps to file an appeal when procedural errors have impacted your ability to have a fair trial. We are here for you no matter the charges against you.
J. Ryan Brown Law, LLC
J. Ryan Brown Law, LLC