Even being accused of a sex crime can have a frantic impact on your life. The presumption of innocence until guilt is proven does nothing to protect your reputation from incalculable damages. Then, if you are ultimately convicted of the sex crime, you will face far-reaching consequences, from your freedom to your ability to even find a job. If you are being accused of a sex crime or you have been charged with one, you need to get legal help right away. The attorneys at Hogan Eickhoff firmly believe that everyone deserves vigorous legal representation, no matter what alleged crime is an issue in your case.
Sex Crimes Allegations
No matter the alleged conduct, any type of sex crime allegations are extremely serious. There are very high stakes involved. The allegations do not have to rise to the level of rape to be severe for you. Any type of charges involving unwelcome sexual contact or illegal sexual behavior can result in serious penalties. The mere fact that the allegation has been made can be catastrophic, even before you have been charged. Oftentimes, someone may come forward, and the public has learned that you are being investigated for possible sex crimes. This point is where the jeopardy really begins for you. Immediately, there may be difficult details that are cast out into the public realm. The real jeopardy may be the ultimate threat to your freedom. Sex crime convictions will almost always lead to a jail sentence. If you have been convicted of a felony, there are even harsher potential criminal penalties. Further, you may experience impacts on your custody situation, and you may even face removal from the country if you are not a United States citizen.
Reputational Effects of Sex Crimes Charges
The court of public opinion matters when it comes to sex charges. The fact that the allegation itself has been made will already have an impact on your life, even if you have not been convicted of the charges. How you handle the allegations levied against you can determine your reputation once the charges have been resolved. If you are convicted of a sex crime, your reputation will remain with you for perhaps the rest of your life. Most sex crimes convictions will require you to register as a sex offender. There is a publicly searchable database that anyone can see that would list your status and the crimes for which you have been convicted. Certainly, employers and potential landlords would be able to access this information. You may find it extremely difficult to get a job, and certain professions may be off-limits to you forever. There is certainly a temptation to want to clear your name as quickly as possible. However, you need to let the process play out to an extent. Trying to speak in your own name when charges or allegations against you are pending can be counterproductive. Anything that you say can be used against you in a criminal case, so it is better to let a criminal defense lawyer speak for you or work with you to tell your story if and when it is prudent to do so.
Defenses to Sex Crimes
Your sex crimes defense attorney will review your case and help you determine whether there are any defenses that you can use for your case. The following are examples of possible defenses your attorney may raise:
- The accuser consented to the act in question
- The allegations against you were made up for whatever reason
- You were the victim of mistaken identity
- The prosecutor is not able to prove every single element of the alleged crime
- Your rights were violated in the arrest or interrogation process
- The evidence being used against you is tainted
- The witness testimony against you is unreliable
Note that intoxication is not necessarily a defense to sex crime allegations. Working with your criminal defense attorney, you would determine whether you may be able to successfully fight the charges against you. If you are able to put up a vigorous legal showing in the pre-trial process, the charges may even be dropped for lack of evidence, or the prosecutor may be willing to allow you to plead down to a lesser offense.
Why You Need a Sex Crimes Attorney to Defend You
No matter what allegations have been made against you, it always makes sense to hire a sex crimes attorney as soon as you learn that you have been accused of anything. When sex crime allegations are involved, much can happen in the early stages of the process that can impact your case in the future. You may make mistakes early in your case that can be used against you when law enforcement is trying to win a conviction. Remember that prosecutors always like to point to their own records, and it is often in their best interests to err on the side of taking strong legal actions when sex crime allegations are involved.
When you hire a criminal defense attorney for your case, they can do the following:
- Investigate your case and gather relevant facts
- Communicate with the prosecutor on your behalf
- Be present to protect your legal rights should you decide it is in your best interests to talk
- Determine whether you have any defenses to the charges
- Negotiate with the prosecutor to reach a plea bargain agreement
- Defend you in court should you choose to fight the charges
- Ensure that you understand your legal rights at all times
Contact an Appleton Criminal Defense Attorney Today
The attorneys at Hogan Eickhoff believe that everyone needs and deserves strong legal representation no matter what alleged crime is involved. We will vigorously work to defend you and protect your legal rights at all costs. For your part, the step that you need to take is to reach out to a lawyer immediately if you are facing any criminal charges. You can schedule a free initial consultation by calling us today at (920) 450-9800 or contacting us online. Our attorneys will review your case and help you plot your path forward.