Sexual Assault 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 victims of sexual assault can suffer in a variety of ways from a sexual assault, as the potential consequences can be steep and long-term.
If you or a loved one is a sexual assault survivor, it is highly recommended that you seek help from an attorney immediately, to understand and preserve your rights.
What are the potential repercussions of a sexual assault charge on your case?
If the person who committed an assault is convicted, there will be a number of legal repercussions. 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 found innocent?
A criminal conviction of the accused assaulter is not necessary for a sexual assault survivor to bring a claim. It is simply not necessary for an assaulter to have been convicted for you to bring your claim.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call 434-817-3100
Along the same lines, it is possible to proceed with a civil case even after a criminal defendant has been found not guilty in a related criminal action. Although a criminal not guilty verdict will likely embolden the defendant to fight hard in a related civil case, the simple truth is that many suits have been successfully brought against assaulters even after they have been found not guilty in a criminal suit.
There are a few different conclusions that can be reached in a related criminal suit. The defendant may try to rely upon the following defenses:
- 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?
Sexual assault survivors should consider meeting with a lawyer after a sexual assault. There may be related criminal proceedings, and the defense will be aggressive and will apply pressure. The sooner you find an attorney that is experienced with these types of cases, the better able the attorney will be to direct you. The right attorney should be supportive, strategic, and detail-oriented each step of the way.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form