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Loudoun County Sex Crimes Lawyer

Sex crimes are prosecuted vigorously all throughout Virginia, and Loudoun County is no exception. Regardless of the type of sex crime, the justice system works swiftly and decisively to protect the victim and punish the offender. If you are being charged with, or investigated for, a sex crime in Loudoun County, you are facing the possibility of a criminal conviction that threatens your freedom and the quality of the rest of your life. The first step to defending yourself against these charges is to familiarize yourself with the violation you are facing, as well as the general nature of sex crimes prosecution in Virginia. In addition, you should contact an experienced Loudoun County sex crimes lawyer.

When You Are Accused of Illicit Sexual Acts in Loudoun County

If you are charged with a sex crime in Leesburg, Ashburn, or elsewhere in Loudoun County, your case, as with most criminal cases, will be heard at the Loudoun General District Court, located at 18 East Market Street in Leesburg, Virginia. If your sex crime case goes to trial, any indictment will be delivered by a Grand Jury. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to a preliminary hearing, during which Virginia must prove probable cause regarding the commission of the alleged violation.

Sex Crimes Cases in Loudoun County

Just like the rest of the Commonwealth, sex crimes in Loudoun County are defined by the Code of Virginia. When asked to define a sex crime, most people would give such violations as rape and sexual assault as the first examples. However, not all sex crimes are violent, or even physical in nature. Types of sex crimes prosecuted in Loudoun County include:

  • Rape, attempted rape, object sexual penetration and other types of aggravated sexual battery. Virginia Code § 18.2-61 defines rape while Virginia Code § 18.2-67.5 defines other types of sexual attacks.
  • Predatory sexual acts. Regardless of whether or not physical contact actually occurs, a person who engages in sexually threatening or menacing activity may be prosecuted under Virginia law. Such activities may include stalking – online as well as in-person – and indecent exposure.
  • Child pornography. Producing, possessing, or distributing child pornography is prohibited under Virginia Code § 18.2-374.1 and § 18.2-374.4. However, child pornography can also be prosecuted at the federal level.
  • Carnal knowledge of a minor: Most of the time under Virginia state law, a minor cannot consent to a sexual relationship with an adult. When this happens, the older participant can be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony. The exact charge will vary depending on the age of the victim and the perpetrator.

Penalties for Sex Crimes

Fines and prison sentences are the first in a long list of possible penalties for a convicted sex criminal in Loudoun County or elsewhere in Virginia. Most sex crime charges are classified as felonies, and carry mandatory minimum prison sentences. The harshest violent criminal charges – such as rape, forcible sodomy and aggravated sexual penetration – are punishable by a period of incarceration anywhere between five years and life. Perhaps partly due to the extensive penalties, repeat sexual offenders are rare in Virginia, but if you are charged with a sex crime and you already have such a conviction on your record, the punishment for a second guilty verdict is certain to be severe. You will be assessed the maximum possible prison sentence for a repeat felony sex crime conviction, and if it is your second violent sex crime conviction, you face a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

Besides fines and prison terms, sex offenders are normally required to participate in therapy or rehabilitative programs. In addition, almost all sex offenses remain on a person’s criminal record for the rest of his or her life, which can seriously hinder their ability to find a job, housing, education, and a host of other opportunities that can be impacted. Most sex crimes require the guilty party to register with the Virginia state registry as a sex offender, meaning their photo and personal information will be publicly viewable.

Speak with a Loudoun Sex Crimes Attorney

These are some of the most prominent – but certainly not the only – negative ramifications of a sex crime conviction in Virginia. If you are facing any of these charges in Loudoun County, you need the best possible legal representation. A Loudoun County sex crimes lawyer with Karin Riley Porter Attorney at Law is thoroughly familiar with Virginia criminal law, knowing the statutes governing the accusations you face and will go over all the details of your case to provide you with the strongest defense possible. Our legal team is also familiar with the judicial system in Loudoun County, and will leverage our knowledge of the local courts, judges and prosecutors to give you the greatest chance of a favorable case outcome. Call our Virginia offices today for a free consultation with a Loudoun sex crimes attorney.

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