Frederick County Sex Crimes Lawyer
When most people imagine a sex crime, their minds may turn to sexual assault or some other form of violent conduct. Sex crimes in Maryland include a much broader collection of illegal activities. A sex crime could be classified as any offense committed against another person with a sexual motive or connotation.
Something as simple as touching another individual for sexual gratification or even filming someone without their consent may be grounds for charges alleging a sex crime. A Frederick County sex crimes lawyer may be able to help individuals who are facing any sort of sex crime allegation. Accomplished criminal defense attorneys could defend your rights in court while maintaining their reputation in the community.
Typical Examples of Sex Crimes
Maryland’s criminal code devotes an entire chapter to naming and defining sexual crimes. These range in severity from allegations of rape to any form of non-consensual sexual contact. An allegation of a sex crime may vary in severity from misdemeanors to harsh felonies.
A misdemeanor sex offense is a sex offense in the fourth degree under Maryland Criminal Law Code §3-308. This is a baseline sexual offense that might apply whenever a defendant is accused of participating in a sex act with another who does not consent.
Participating in any sexual act with a child between the ages of 14 and 15 when the defendant is more than four years older than the accuser is illegal. A conviction here is a misdemeanor where the penalty may rise to as one year in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
Felony Sex Crimes
Far more concerning are allegations of sexual misconduct that count as felonies, such as the charge of rape in the second degree. Maryland Criminal Law Code §3-304 states that it is illegal to engage in sexual intercourse or any other sex act with another person through the threat of force. This may include threatening physical violence, but also intimidation, threats of violence against others, or even taking advantage of an unconscious person. Convictions here may carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
A conviction for many of the offenses listed under the Maryland sexual crimes chapter could require the defendant to register as a sex offender. This may affect a person’s life even after they are released from any term in prison after a guilty verdict.
Given the severity of a potential charge, it may be important to fight back against any allegation of sexual misconduct. A Frederick County sex crimes lawyer could provide valuable assistance for any person charged with a sex crime.
Ways that Defendants Could Refute Allegations
It may be essential that any person facing an allegation of a sex crime takes immediate steps to protect their future. This could include disputing the charges at trial, but in truth, an effective defense can begin long before a case gets to this point.
Police take allegations of any sexual misconduct seriously. As soon as they arrest an individual, they could attempt to obtain evidence of the alleged incident and submit the defendant to questioning.
It may vital to remember that a defendant must never answer a police officer’s questions. A person has the right to have an attorney present during every stage of the investigation. A Frederick County sex crimes lawyer could help with this process.
When the case gets to court, every stage of the proceedings is important. Even something as seemingly trivial as an arraignment may have important consequences for the future of the case.
Attorneys could work to examine the evidence presented by the prosecutor, to evaluate the legality of the police work that led to the gathering of that evidence, and file motions in court to protect someone’s Constitutional rights. If the case goes to trial, an attorney could help to cross-examine State witnesses and to refute any scientific evidence.
How a Frederick County Sex Crimes Attorney Could Help
An allegation of any sort of criminal activity in Maryland is a serious matter. Perhaps nowhere is this truer than when the charges involve sexual misconduct. A conviction here could result in not just a lengthy prison sentence, but also the requirement to register as a sex offender upon release.
Sex offenses come in many varieties but always involve some sort of unwelcome sexual contact. This may range from groping over clothes to full sexual intercourse through the use of force. No matter the exact nature of the charges, a Frederick County sex crimes lawyer may be able to help. Contact an attorney today to discuss your case.