A felony sex offense charge requires immediate intervention from a criminal defense attorney who knows how to protect your rights and negotiate the best possible result according to the facts and applicable law. Do not delay. If you have been charged with a felony sex offense, contact our firm today to schedule a consultation with a criminal defense attorney.
Learn More About Sex Offenses
My name is Howard Bass, of the Bass Law Firm, PLLC, in Burnsville, Minnesota. I have over 25 years of experience representing clients charged with felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor sex crimes throughout the Twin Cities. For more details about how I handle these cases, please visit my sex crimes page.
I have provided some general information below to educate you about how the law applies in sex offense cases. For answers regarding your specific situation, contact me to arrange a free confidential initial consultation.
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At the Bass Law Firm, PLLC, I aggressively defend people charged with sex offenses. When you retain me as your lawyer, you can trust I will carefully review your case, explain your options, build a defense strategy for your specific situation and fight for your rights.
Are you under investigation for a sex crime? Have you been charged with such a crime? If so, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to fight for you. Contact me online or call my office locally at 952-466-6718 or toll free at 888-340-9617.
I offer free initial consultations, accept credit cards and am conveniently located on County Road 42 in Burnsville, just three miles west of highways 35W and 35E. Evening and weekend appointments are available upon request.
Rape, Sexual Assault, Date Rape and Statutory Rape
Unwanted sex acts are generally regarded as rape. However, these criminal offenses are also commonly referred to as "sexual abuse" or "sexual assault." A wide range of activities may be included under these definitions. Statutory rape, for instance, is sexual activity with a person under the legal age of consent. Date rape is a nonlegal term for forcible sexual activity between people who know one another during a social engagement. Regardless of the circumstances, there are serious penalties for individuals found guilty of these sex crimes. Prosecutors and the police focus on sexual offenses, so if you or someone you know is accused of or arrested for a sex crime, you need to contact an attorney immediately. Contact Bass Law Firm, PLLC in Burnsville, Minnesota, to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss your situation.
Rape and Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is often considered forcible rape, but that is only one type of such an assault. Sexual assault in most states includes any type of unwanted physical contact with a sexual organ and may include aggressive, sexually suggestive statements. Sexual assault may also occur between persons of the same gender. The force used and the harm suffered may determine what crime is charged, as well as the penalties upon conviction. Under many states' laws, the penalties for sexual assault are severe and may include incarceration, significant fines, psychiatric treatment and paying restitution to the victim. In addition, a person convicted of sexual assault may be required to register as a sex offender, possibly for the rest of his or her life. In most states, you can be charged with first degree sexual assault or rape, sometimes called aggravated felonious sexual assault or gross sexual assault, if you physically forced sexual intercourse on another person, had sexual intercourse with someone who was unable to give legal consent or forced intercourse by threats of retaliation. You must not delay in hiring a knowledgeable attorney to interview prosecution witnesses, show alternative photographic line-ups, protect you during a live line-up and interview possible alibi witnesses.
Date Rape
Date rape is commonly defined as forcible sexual contact during a voluntary social engagement in which a person does not intend to engage in sexual activities and resists the contact. The fact that the engagement was voluntary and the parties were acquainted is not a defense. Nor is previous sexual contact between the parties a defense to date rape charges. The victim does not necessarily have to reject the advance or physically object to demonstrate lack of consent. Although laws vary by state, usually, a victim intoxicated by alcohol or drugs is incapable of giving legal consent. Additionally, date-rape drugs have become more common in the past decade. Some of the most frequently used drugs are rohypnol ("roofies"), gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and ketamine. Use of drugs makes an individual unable to give consent, lose consciousness and may even cause death. Date rape may be the most common form of rape that occurs, but it is also the most commonly unreported type of sexual assault.
Statutory Rape
Statutory rape depends on the ages of the participants. Even if consent is given, the law states that people under the age of consent are legally unable to consent; therefore, the legal effect is the same as if no consent had been given. The age of consent ranges from fourteen to eighteen, sixteen being the most common age. Many states do not actually use the term "statutory rape," but use terms such as "rape," "unlawful sexual penetration," "felonious sexual assault" or "unlawful sexual contact." Some states also consider the age difference between the two people, as well as their individual ages. State laws may change the age of consent or the penalty for sexual relations involving a person of authority, such as a teacher or a coach. The alleged victim or his or her parents often participate in bringing statutory rape charges, but often the state can bring charges, even against the protest of both the underage person and his or her parents. The punishment for statutory rape can be severe, followed by a stigma that follows the offender for the rest of his or her life.
Speak to a Criminal Defense Lawyer
The laws regarding sexual assault are complex and cannot be fully described here. If you have been charged with rape, sexual assault, date rape, statutory rape or another sexual offense, contact a criminal defense attorney such as one at Bass Law Firm, PLLC in Burnsville, Minnesota, immediately to schedule a consultation.
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