Philadelphia Sex Crimes Lawyer

Sex crimes are serious offenses that can result in dire professional and personal consequences. Given the stigma attached to sex crimes, the mere accusation can ruin your reputation at work and at home, undermine your career and destroy personal relationships. If you have been charged with a sex crime in Philadelphia you must consult with a reputable Philadelphia sex crimes lawyer who has experience defending clients against these charges in this jurisdiction.

Philadelphia Sex Crimes Lawyers See These Common Charges

Sex crimes can be prosecuted for a variety of criminal offenses, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. Among the most serious is sexual assault, or rape. Section 3121 of the Pennsylvania statutes and codes defines rape as an offense wherein a person commits a felony of the first degree when they engage in sexual intercourse with an alleged victim under one or more of the following circumstances:

• By force
• By threat of violence
• If the alleged victim is unconscious or unaware the act is happening
• If the alleged victim is impaired by drugs or other intoxicants
• If the alleged victim has a mental disability that renders him or her incapable of giving consent

Sex crimes, however, include many more offenses, such as incest, indecent assault, and sexual abuse of a child or a senior. If you have been accused of rape, or any other type of sex crime, contact a Philadelphia sex crimes lawyer immediately.

Statutory Rape in Philadelphia, PA

Statutory sexual assault is defined in Section 3122.1 as a second degree felony when an individual engages in sexual intercourse with a minor who is under 16 years old, when the defendant is at least four years older than the minor, and when the defendant and the minor are not legally married. Other sex crimes include:

Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse

Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse has the same elements  as engaging in sex with a person when he or she is impaired or unconscious. Per Section 3123, a person is guilty of this crime when the alleged victim is under 16 years old and the individual is more than  four years older. It is a felony in the first degree.

Second Degree Sexual Assault

An individual is guilty of this second degree felony when he or she has sexual intercourse with an alleged victim. The sexual intercourse includes deviate sexual intercourse. The act is done without the alleged victim’s consent as outlined in Section 3124.

Aggravated Indecent Assault

Aggravated indecent assault is defined in Section 3125. It is unlawful to engage in penetration of another individual’s genitals or anus for any purpose other than good faith medical, hygienic, or law enforcement procedures. It doesn’t matter if the penetration was slight. He or she is guilty when the penetration is done:

• Without the alleged victim’s consent;
• With force;
• With threat of force;
• When the alleged victim is unconscious;
• When the alleged victim is impaired because of an intoxicating substance;
• He or she is less than 16 years old and the defendant is four years older than the alleged victim;
• When the alleged victim has a mental impairment;
• When he or she is under 13 years old;

Possible Penalties for Sex Crimes in Philadelphia

What makes a sex crimes charge so serious is that you face the possibility of beng required to registeras a sex offender for the rest of your life. Other serious penalties include lengthy prison terms and possible fines and restitution orders. .

Conviction for rape can result in up to 10 years in prison if the victim is drugged with an intoxicating substance. The sentence can grow to 20 to 40 years if the victim is a child under 13 years old. A rape conviction involving a serious bodily injury of a child under 13 years old can result in life in prison. When force or threat of violence is used, and the victim is less than 16 years old, the sentence can be 10 to 20 years in prison.

Statutory sexual assault can result in different sentences depending on the degree charged. If you are convicted of a second degree felony, you face up to 10 years in prison. A second degree felony conviction is when the defendant is four to eight years older than the victim. It is a first degree felony when there was sexual intercourse with a victim who is 16 years old or younger. If you are more than 11 years older the victim, you may face the possibility of 20 years in prison.

Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse

If the victim was under 13 years old, there is a mandatory sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison. If the victim was less than 13 years old and the sexual assault caused bodily injury, it a mandatory sentence of life in prison. If the victim was under 16 years old, you could face 10 to 20 years in prison.

Sexual Assault

This is a second degree felony punishable by 10 years in prison.

Aggravated Indecent Assault

If done with force, threat of force, while the person was unconscious, or with an intoxicating substance, conviction of this crime can result in  five to 10 years in prison. Otherwise, the penalty is up to 10 years in prison.

Being arrested in Philadelphia on suspicion of a sex crime charge is one of the most serious and possibly devastating situations. You are not only fighting allegations,  you are also fighting the social stigma that comes with being charged with a sex crime.

Possible Defenses to Sex Crimes

In Philadelphia, you have the right to defend yourself. The specific defense will depend on the facts of the case and what your Philadelphia sex crimes lawyer believes is your best course of action. A viable defense may come down to the testimony of the alleged victim when there is no physical evidence. Your Philadelphia sex crimes lawyer will carefully research all possibilities when it comes to presenting your best defense.