Child molestation, like all sex crimes, is one of the most serious crimes that someone can be accused of committing. When facing a child molestation charge, a skilled sex crimes attorney is necessary. In these cases there is rarely physical evidence, witness testimony is typically he-said-she-said.
These cases can be defended. When arrested for child molestation it feels like the world is against you. Family, friends, and other loved ones – who were supposed to be there for you – may leave your side. If you are in custody, inmates may treat you poorly. People may assume that you are guilty.
Not us. Our Newnan child molestation lawyers are here to fight with you, fight for you, and fight beside you. Don’t Fight Alone.
The law provides two separate ways someone can be charged with child molestation.
As an attorney in Newnan can further explain, you can only be convicted of child molestation if the government proves beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed an immoral or indecent act to a child, or in front of a child, with the plan of arousing the child or yourself.
Under this code section, the state must also prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. But, the charge is a little different. If you have been charged under this code section the prosecutors are accusing you of sending a pornographic image to a child by electronic means. Electronic means could be anything on the computer, whether email, Tumblr, Twitter, Snapchat, or anything else. No matter what, they must prove you are guilty in Newnan child molestation cases, and you must not fight the charges without a lawyer.
Georgia law sets forth a wide sentencing range for child molestation. The minimum sentence for a first-time offense is five years and the maximum is 20. For a second offense, the penalties get steeper. Upon a second conviction for child molestation, the range is 10 years to 30 years, or the prosecutors can seek life imprisonment. Additionally, any felony conviction for child molestation will require the defendant to register as a sex offender.
If the alleged victim is 14 or 15 and the offender is 18 or younger that person can only be convicted of a misdemeanor. When some conditions are present, the prosecutors may charge you with aggravated child molestation. In that scenarior the penalties are substantially worse – including a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison.
You fight, but you don’t fight alone. Contact us right away. Utilize a free consultation with Ryan Brown, discuss the case with him, and strategize to defend against these charges. A Newnan child molestation lawyer is here to help.
J. Ryan Brown Law, LLC
J. Ryan Brown Law, LLC
