A sex crime under the law in Pennsylvania is classified as a person who participates in sexual intercourse or sexual conduct without the consent of the person. As well, Pennsylvania law also considers a statutory sexual assault as an individual having sexual intercourse with another person under the age of 16 if that individual is more than four years older of the victim, and the two were not married at the time of the offense.
Pennsylvania sex crime laws also expand further than sexual intercourse as there is also a charge called indecent assault. An individual can be charged with this type of assault if the victim is forcibly and without their consent made to come in contact with the accused’s seminal fluid, urine, or feces.
Sexual assault crimes can be extremely difficult due to the lack of witnesses as these cases tend to be solely between two people, which is why if you are charged with sexual assault, you should contact a Philadelphia sexual battery lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your rights and legal options. Speak to a tenacious sex crimes attorney to start building your defense.
If a person is charged with sexual assault, they will be convicted of either a misdemeanor or a felony, the degree of which depends on the nature of the offense, and if the accused has a previous criminal record. The punishment for being charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony ranges from a fine of $5,000 and up to one year in prison to a fine of $25,000 and up to 20 years in prison.
As well, if you are convicted for a sexual assault offense, you may be required to register as a sex offender. This is seriously debilitates your freedom and privacy, as your information and status as a sex offender is public knowledge. Neighbors will be able to see where you live and what you were convicted for. Future employers and job opportunities may be jeopardized as a result as well, and your reputation may be altered.
Due to the nature of sex crimes, it may be extremely difficult to obtain witnesses to either confirm or dismiss a case. This may be beneficial, because a prosecutor needs to prove with reasonable evidence the guilt of an accused. It is not enough for a plaintiff to state that they were assault, but rather they must provide credible evidence or witnesses to prove their case.
However, in recent times, more and more sexual assault cases have been wrongfully pursued, drastically affecting the life of an individual without sufficient evidence. While it may seem that cases are just one person’s word over another, a well-practiced lawyer may be able to work with your case to provide admissible defenses to the charge.
The long-term consequences of being charged with a sex crime is significant, which is why if you are convicted of a sex crime, you may greatly benefit from being represented by a Philadelphia sexual battery lawyer.
The serious and sensitive nature of sex crimes makes it extremely difficult to fight a conviction alone, but you don’t have to. Get help from a seasoned attorney and learn about the potential legal strategies and options that they can provide you so as to alleviate your conviction.