Riverdale Sex Crimes Lawyer

If you have been accused or convicted of a sex-related offense, you must take the matter seriously. A conviction can have immediate negative impacts and implications on the rest of your life, including where you may work and live. The laws surrounding these kinds of crimes are complex, so it is best to have a qualified criminal defense attorney in your corner.

We understand how intimidating these charges can be and want to help. Our team could craft the best possible defense for your case while protecting your rights throughout the process. Having a Riverdale sex crimes lawyer by your side could make all the difference in the outcome of your case and help you return to a normal life.

Understanding Sex Crimes and Their Charges

Sex crimes are acts of a sexual nature that generally are illegal or coerced against another individual. In Georgia, the age of consent is 16; in situations involving a person younger than that, their verbal consent does not matter because they were not of a legal age.

Examples of sex crimes include the following:

Failure to comply with the sex offender registry
Prostitution
Indecent exposure
Internet sex crimes
Sexual assault
Sodomy
Incest
Child pornography
Child molestation
Rape and statutory rape

Most of these crimes have a seven-year statute of limitations, meaning that the charges must come forth within seven years after the acts occurred. However, there are other situations in which the prosecution must commence within two or four years after the offense. The laws can be complex with several factors that must be proven for a conviction. An attorney in Riverdale could work tirelessly to gather evidence to disprove the sex crimes charges wrong.

Nuances of Sex Crime Statutes

When it comes to sex crime charges, there are nuances that are important to know when crafting a defense.

Rape Shield Law

The rape shield law limits the ability of the defendant’s attorney to introduce the accuser’s sexual history as evidence during a rape trial. O.C.G.A. § 24-4-412 codifies what is admissible and not admissible under this theory. In this state, evidence relating to the accuser’s past sexual behavior is generally not admissible. That means you cannot bring up the alleged victim’s promiscuity, marital history, or manner of dress as a defense.

Lack of “Romeo and Juliet” Laws

In this state, there are no local “Romeo and Juliet” or “close in age” laws that prevent the defendant from facing criminal charges for statutory rape if they fall within a specific age requirement. These laws provide protections from prosecution in cases in which the participants are within a few years of age of each other.

Therefore, there are no protections when the individuals are 15 and 16 years of age, or 14 and 18, for example. The penalty for a felony statutory rape charge can vary anywhere from one to 20 years in prison, and for a misdemeanor rape charge, it can be up to $1000 in fines, a year in jail, or both.

A lawyer in Riverdale who is well acquainted with fighting sex-related accusations could discern these nuances and craft the best possible strategy for your defense.

The Sex Offender Registry

Georgia has a sex offender registry, which lists of all sex offenders in the state. People convicted of certain sex crimes are required to register, and some of the information contained in the registry is available to the public, including the offender’s:

Name
Current address
Offenses
Photograph

A person with a conviction must register, regardless of whether their crime occurred in this state. Failing to register comes with serious penalties such as:

Prison term between one and 30 years for a first conviction
Prison term between five and thirty years for a second.

Beyond that, being on the registry affects where you can live, work, and visit. You could also face financial problems, obstacles to acquiring a professional license, damage to your reputation and relationships, and shame in the community. Our attorneys could help you avoid these long-term challenges when you are facing sex crime charges in Riverdale.

Speak With a Riverdale Attorney About Sex Crimes Charges Today

When you are accused of committing a sex crime, you should hire legal representation to create a defense strategy for your case. A Riverdale sex crimes lawyer could navigate the complexities of the legal system on your behalf and provide guidance, support, and representation to you throughout the legal process. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get started.