Carroll County Sex Crimes Lawyer
Defending individuals charged with a sex crime in Carroll County, Maryland is a challenging task. Sex crimes cover a wide variety of offenses and can be devastating to the reputation of a person charged. Under Maryland Criminal Law Code, sex crimes are charged either as rape or as an unlawful sexual offense. The definitions of the offenses use many legal terms, but this technical language is necessary to distinguish between each type of act or actions. Sex crime defense requires your seasoned criminal defense attorney to know how to handle the issues professionally, ethically and aggressively to give you the best possible results. A Carroll County sex crimes lawyer has the experience and skills you need to litigate on your behalf.
Age of Consent
The ages of the parties involved are important in sex crimes. In Maryland, the age of consent is 16, so any two people over 16 may engage in sexual acts, regardless of their age difference. If one party is between 14 and 16, and the other party is no more than four years older, than this act is not, with some exceptions, subject to criminal punishment.
Rape
Rape is charged either in the First Degree under Md. Crim. L. Code § 3-303 or Rape in the Second Degree under Md. Crim. L. Code § 3-304. Rape in the First Degree is engaging in sexual intercourse without consent and with use of force. “Use of force” includes strangulation, the use of a weapon, kidnapping or if the act occurs during a burglary.
Rape in the Second Degree is engaging in vaginal intercourse without consent with use of force, or against a mentally handicapped person, a person physically incapacitated because of alcohol or drugs or who is unconscious; or when the alleged victim is age 14 or under and the person charged is at least 4 years older than the alleged victim.
Sexual Offenses Charges
The Sexual Offense category of sex crimes includes most of the other cases commonly referred to as sex crimes. Sexual Offense in the First Degree is committing a sexual act other than rape for the defendant’s sexual gratification, with the use of force. Sexual Offense in the Second Degree is committing a sexual act, other than rape, for the defendant’s sexual gratification, with a person under age 14 when the defendant is at least four years older than the victim.
Sexual Offense in the Third Degree covers a wide range of other sex crimes, where the defendant is alleged to touch the genital or vaginal areas, anus, or breasts to achieve sexual gratification while:
- Using force, weapons or the threat of serious injury or by kidnapping
- The victim is incapacitated or unconscious
- The victim is under 14 and the defendant is more than 4 years older
- Other sexual acts, when the victim is under 14 and the defendant is over 21
Other Sex Crimes
Other sex crimes defended by a Carroll County sex crimes lawyer include:
- Lewd behavior
- Indecent exposure
- Child pornography
- Prostitution, solicitation
- Failure to register as a sex offender
Consult a Carroll County Sex Crimes Attorney
A criminal defense lawyer has the experience and resources to determine the best course of action. They can help their potential client develop a defense strategy for sex-based crimes. If you are facing charges related to a sex crime, retain the services an experienced Carroll County sex crimes lawyer who can begin building you the most robust defense possible to challenge the prosecution’s case.