Personal Injury Lawyer
Sexual assault is defined as any sexual act that was forced upon another person without his or her consent. Sexual assault can be viewed as a particularly horrible crime due to the perpetrator inflicting violence that is aimed at the most vulnerable part of our bodies. Sexual assault does not always have to be physical in nature either, but can be emotional and psychological as well. Those unjustifiably accused of sexual assault can become understandably panicked, as the potential consequences for a conviction can be steep and long-term.
If you or a loved one has been unfairly accused of sexual assault, it is highly recommended that you seek help from an attorney immediately, to get started preparing your defense.
What are the potential repercussions of a sexual assault charge?
While all states in America view sexual assault as illegal with a variety of consequences, the categories of crimes can differ between states. To get more information about the laws for your state, consider talking with your attorney. Here is a list of possible consequences for a sexual assault conviction:
- Thousands of dollars in fines
- Serving many years behind bars
- Registering as a sex offender
- Future employability is at risk
- Tarnished reputation
- Societal stigmas
What if the accused is innocent?
It is very unfortunate that some allegations of sexual assault are actually simply untrue, but the accused must attend trial and plead his or her defense anyway. Hiring an attorney that is familiar with criminal defense cases can be hugely influential as to whether you are convicted. An attorney can help you uncover evidence surrounding the incident which supports your innocence. There are a few different defense strategies you and your attorney may decide to use, and are listed as follows:
- Innocent: the accused had no way of committing the sexual assault crime because he or she was somewhere else when the incident occurred. By presenting a strong alibi, it can raise doubt within the jury as to whether the accused is guilty.
- Mental incapacity: the accused did commit the behavior, but was not of sound mind when it happened. So, the defense must show just how much the mental illness or disability impaired the competence to decipher between right or wrong.
- Consent: the accused claims the victim consented to the sexual interaction. The defense must bring proof forward that suggests the victim actually agreed to the sexual act happening.
When should I meet with an attorney about the trial?
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call 434-817-3100
Those who have been wrongly accused of sexual assault should meet with a criminal defense lawyer Rockville, MD trusts as soon as they receive notice of the allegation. The sooner you find an attorney that is experienced with criminal defense cases, the more time he or she has to work for your behalf before the trial date. By waiting to the last minute to obtain legal representation, it could greatly hinder your chances of the charges being cleared. The right attorney should be supportive, strategic, and detail-oriented each step of the way.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at The Law Office of Daniel J. Wright for their insight into sexual assault charges and criminal defense.
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