A sex crime charge can have severe consequences on your life even if you are not ultimately convicted. Beyond the legal penalties that can accompany a conviction, the impact on your personal life can be severe. It is essential to hire an experienced Galveston sex crime attorney to help you beat a charge.
At Blass Law, we have a long history of helping people fight back against criminal charges. If you are facing a sex crime charge, our experienced team of Galveston criminal defense lawyers is here to help. Get in touch with us today to set up your confidential consultation with a member of our legal staff.
Common Sex Crime Charges in Galveston
Any criminal offense involving non-consensual physical contact or sexual conduct is categorized as a sex crime in Galveston. Some of the most common sex crime charges we handle at our firm include:
- Sexual assault
- Sexual battery
- Rape
- Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
- Disseminating or displaying matter harmful to juveniles
- Public indecency
- Public exposure
- Sexual imposition
- Importuning
- Voyeurism
- Prostitution
If you were charged with any of these offenses or any other sex crime, we can help build a defense to help you secure a favorable case result.
Common Defenses Your Sex Crime Attorney in Galveston May Use in Your Case
Following an arrest for sexual assault or another sex crime, there are several potential defenses your attorney may use to help you fight a charge. The circumstances of your case will help determine the best approach to building a defense. Some of the most commonly used arguments in these cases involve:
- Alibi
- Mistaken identity
- Consent
- Lack of evidence
- Entrapment
Alibi
One of the best defenses you can have in a sex crime case is a strong alibi. If you can prove that you were not present at the location where the crime occurred, the prosecution may end up dropping the charges without proceeding to trial.
Mistaken Identity
Unfortunately, in many sex crime cases, mistaken identity can be a common problem. When a party is a victim of a violent attack like sexual assault or rape, they can easily become confused and disoriented, especially if their attacker drugged them.
Because of this, it can be easy for them to make a mistake when attempting to identify their assailant, especially if they were attacked by a stranger.
Consent
In sex crime cases, one of the biggest questions is often consent. While consent does not apply in cases involving minors, if the involved parties were of legal age for sexual activity, the question of consent becomes paramount.
Arguing that consent for a sexual act was given can be a strong defense. The prosecution has the burden of proof in these cases. That means that the defense does not have to prove that consent was given, but rather, the prosecution must prove it was not.
Even if they later regretted the sexual act, if your accuser was in a mental state where they were fit to grant consent at the time and did so, you did not violate the law.
Lack of Evidence
Because the burden of proof lies with the prosecution, they need to have substantial evidence that you committed the crime in order to convict you. Your attorney may simply be able to argue that there is not enough evidence tying you to the crime to convict you.
Entrapment
Law enforcement officers sometimes cross the line when attempting to make an arrest. If a police officer induces or encourages you to commit a crime you otherwise would not have committed, they can not arrest you for the offense.
If you can prove that you were the victim of police entrapment, you should be able to avoid a conviction.
Legal Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction
If you are convicted of a sex crime, you will face a variety of criminal penalties. The specific punishments that apply will depend on the specific sex crime for which you were convicted, the severity of the offense, your criminal record, and the discretion of the court.
Those convicted of any sex crime in Galveston will likely be faced with:
- Incarceration
- Fines
- Mandatory sex offender registration
- Probation
In addition to these penalties, you may also be faced with:
- Limitations regarding where you can work
- Limitations on where you can live
- Receiving mandatory treatment for sex offenders
- Being barred from contact with minors
Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction on Your Everyday Life
Outside of any legal penalties, a sex crime conviction can completely disrupt your everyday life. The social stigma accompanying these crimes can profoundly impact your personal relationship as well as force you to move or lose custody or even visitation of your children.
Even if you are found not guilty, the accusation alone can cause significant harm.
Before you accept a plea deal in a sex crime case, it is essential that you understand all the ins and outs of how the deal will affect your life. An experienced Galveston sex crime lawyer from Blass Law can help ensure you know what to expect and whether it is going to be in your best interest to take a deal or fight for a not-guilty verdict.
Get Help From an Experienced Sex Crime Attorney Serving Galveston Today
Overcoming a sexual assault or other sex crime charge is going to be critical for getting your life back on track after an arrest. Hiring an experienced Galveston sex crime attorney is the best way to win your case. You don’t want to leave your fate in the hands of an overworked public defender or attempt to represent yourself.
At Blass Law, we will fight hard to help ensure a favorable outcome for your case. Contact us today to set up your confidential case review with a member of our legal team.