Sex Crimes Lawyer in Indianapolis Building a Case to Reduce Your Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes involve illegal or forced sexual conduct against another person without their consent or permission. People convicted of a sex crime are commonly referred to as “sex offenders” and face lifetime public scrutiny, whether they committed the crime or not.
Common sex offenses, according to findlaw.com, include crimes against adults, such as rape, sexual assault, and marital rape, crimes against children, including exploitation, pornography, molestation, and abduction, and crimes against relatives, such as incest.
Sex crimes include:
- First, second, and third-degree sexual assault
- Rape
- Improper touching
- Prostitution
- Child sex crimes, such as child molestation, possession of child pornography, and child solicitation
- Sexual gratification
- Sexual battery
- Internet sex crimes
Sex crimes are serious criminal offenses with harsh penalties and punishments. Hiring a criminal defense attorney that understands the law, the courtroom, and what prosecutors look for could have a significant impact on the outcome of your case.
If you have been convicted of a sex crime, schedule a free consultation with the Law Office of Corey L. Scott LLC to discuss your case. Call: (317) 623-4546.
What Should I do if I’ve Been Accused of a Sex Crime?
If you believe someone will formally accuse you of inappropriate sexual conduct, or you have been arrested for a sex crime and face sex crime charges, contact a criminal defense attorney with experience in sexual assault allegations as soon as possible.
Losing time after a sex crime accusation or sex crime charge could lead to lost evidence and witnesses, as well as credibility. Time is of the essence with a sex crime conviction, and with this on our side, our sex crimes attorney can argue that consent was mutual or you had implicit consent from the alleged victim.
In other unfortunate circumstances, you might be wrongly accused or mistaken for the offender. When false accusations are presented, stay calm, avoid contacting the accuser, and gather as much evidence as possible and any witnesses that can support your claims. A study in psychologytoday.com backs this up, as it suggests people who express angry feelings openly after being accused are often seen as guilty.
The district attorney has the ultimate say on whether a case should move forward. Sometimes victims don’t end up testifying, retractions are made, and other dynamics play a role.
Pleading guilty to a sex crime too soon, not accepting a plea deal, avoiding the wrong deal, or continuing with a trial are all possible consequences a criminal defense lawyer can guide you through. Choose a criminal defense attorney that has your best interests in mind and will fight for you when you need it most.
What are Sex Offense Penalties in Indiana?
If you are convicted of a sex crime charge, such as child molestation, forced sexual intercourse, or sexual battery, you will face prison time, probation and parole, and mandatory sex offender registration for up to 10 years or the remainder of your life.
Convicted sex offenders of serious sex crimes, such as statutory rape or child molestation, of a minor child might not be eligible for parole and could spend a lifetime in prison if convicted.
Felony sex crimes result in felony charges, ranging from six months to 20 to 40 years in prison for serious sex crimes and fines up to $10,000. The full breakout of penalties looks like this:
- Level 6 felony charges result in six months to two years or more
- Level 5 felony charges result in one to six years
- Level 4 felony charges result in two to 12 years
- Level 3 felony charges result in three to 16 years
- Level 2 felony charges result in 10 to 30 years
- Level 1 felony charges result in 20 to 40 years
There are many defense strategies against sex crimes that only experienced criminal defense attorneys know to leverage in criminal cases. The prosecution might have a weak case, and if you were to represent yourself, you might not know the difference and receive the maximum sentence.
Don’t jeopardize your fate when you are charged with a sex crime conviction. Book a free consultation with a sex crimes attorney at the Law Office of Corey L. Scott LLC today: (317) 623-4546.
What Does the Sex Offender Registry Entail?
A convicted sex offender must comply with the requirements of probation and the sex offender registry after serving time. The sex offender registry is required for 10 years or a lifetime, depending on the conviction.
All sex offenders must verify their personal information with law enforcement once per year and update the sex offender registry every 90 days so that it’s accurate. This information becomes public and searchable online and includes extensive detail, so the person is easily identifiable.
Sex offender registration requires:
- Full name
- Recent photo
- Sex, race, height, weight, hair, and eye color
- Social security number
- Driver’s license and state ID card
- Vehicle description and license plate
- Address and any secondary addresses
- Mailing address or PO Box
Felony sex crimes and an associated conviction prohibit the offender from residing within 1,500 feet in Indiana or working at any schools, public parks, daycare centers, and youth centers. As a sex offender, any failure to comply could lead to another felony conviction.
How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Protect me?
Sex offenses range from sexual misconduct, indecent exposure, sexual touching, and other inappropriate, non-consensual sexual acts.
A criminal defense attorney with the Law Office of Corey L. Scott LLC will work diligently to gather evidence in your sex crimes case, interview witnesses, and poke holes in the prosecutor’s case by closely reviewing the actions of law enforcement and finding opportunities to uncover mistakes or ignored details that could change the trajectory of your case.
A solid sex crimes defense strategy is imperative when your freedom and reputation are on the line. Sex crimes attorneys with our law firm are savvy and experienced with various criminal charges. We’ve helped clients in many scenarios with reduced charges and penalties, as well as dropped charges when the circumstances are right.
Alternative sentences could also be an option, with the assistance and legal counsel of an experienced sex crimes attorney. In certain situations, a judge might consider mental health treatment and counseling instead of a prison sentence.
Navigating the criminal justice system alone, especially with a sex crime conviction, is risky, given all the twists and turns that can be thrown by the prosecution. To put this into context, prosecutors win nearly 90 percent of the time when a case reaches trial. Give yourself a fighting chance by considering an experienced criminal defense attorney that can present the best case on your behalf.
Call our office today at (317) 623-4546 and book a free consultation with our experienced criminal defense attorneys so you have the confidence you need to pursue your case.