There are many different kinds of sex crimes on the books. Many of these charges are severe, and a conviction can lead to fines, prison time, and sex offender registration. While being accused of one of these crimes may seem like the end of the world, you have legal rights and the opportunity to defend yourself.
Your life, liberty, and reputation could be on the line if you are facing charges for any type of sex offense in Carrollton. A tough and experienced sex crimes attorney is available to offer the legal guidance and representation you may need to secure a positive outcome.
Law enforcement in Carrollton may issue charges for a range of sex offenses, including both felonies and misdemeanors. Illegal sex acts include:
Any questions about what behaviors or accusations may constitute a criminal sex offense should be directed to a Carrollton attorney.
Just as there are a range of sex crimes, there are a range of penalties. Potential punishments depend on the specific charge, the severity of the allegations, and whether it was a first or repeat offense. Someone in Carrollton convicted of a sex offense might be looking at jail or prison time, payment of fines and restitution, and the requirement to register as a sex offender.
On the low end, misdemeanors like prostitution and public indecency carry possible sentences of up to a year in jail or a fine. One of the most severe charges, aggravated child molestation, can carry a life sentence.
Some sex offenses can be treated as either misdemeanors or felonies. One example is sexual battery. A first-time sexual battery conviction is an especially serious misdemeanor punishable by a year in jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. If the charge is for a repeat offense, or the victim was under the age of 16, then the crime is a felony punishable by one to five years in prison.
Another consequence of a felony sex offense conviction is registering as a sex offender. In general, only felony sex offense convictions require sex offender registration. Apart from carrying a stigma in society, sex offender registration may come with additional requirements, such as maintaining a certain distance from school grounds and other areas where children congregate.
While the burden is on the prosecutor to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, a strong defense makes a substantial difference in achieving a positive outcome in any sex crime case. A mistaken identification, lack of evidence, tainted evidence, contradictory statements, entrapment, and statute of limitations are all possible defenses.
In the case of rape, consent is a possible defense. The rape statute requires the penetrative sex act to have been done against the alleged victim’s will. So long as the parties were both adults—and so long as the consent was not motivated by force, fear, or mental coercion—there is a defense to the charge. However, this defense would not apply if the victim was younger than 16 years old, as that is Georgia’s age of legal consent. A lawyer in Carrollton could review the specific circumstances that led to someone’s arrest on sex offense charges to determine what defense strategies may be available.
When you have been charged with a sex offense in Carrollton, you could face the possibility of incarceration, fines, and the requirement of having to register as a sex offender. You also have the right to present your defense. Getting ahead of things as early as possible with the help of an experienced attorney should be your first step to tackling the charges.
A sex crime accusation is frightening and can have far-reaching ramifications. The right lawyer could offer the support you need. Call J. Ryan Brown Law today to schedule a consultation.
J. Ryan Brown Law, LLC
J. Ryan Brown Law, LLC
