McLean Sex Crimes Lawyer

If you are facing allegations of illicit sexual behavior, you should seek help from a McLean sex crimes lawyer who could assist you through this challenging time. The embarrassing and high-profile nature of these criminal offenses can be highly damaging to many aspects of your life.

In addition to potential jail time and fines, you may have to register yourself on the sex offender list, which could impact your professional and personal relationships. An experienced criminal defense lawyer could be crucial to clearing your name and combatting the accusations against you.

Types of Sex Offenses in McLean

A variety of sex crimes exist under state law, which ranges widely in the level of the charges and resulting sanctions. Whether the crime is a misdemeanor or a felony depends on the severity of the illegal misconduct and the involvement of minors, violence, or physical injuries. A McLean sex crimes attorney could assess a defendant’s situation and determine the best defense strategy for their case.

Some of the most severe sex offenses are rape and forcible sodomy. These crimes may involve high-level charges due to the element of force involved. Under Virginia Code §18.2-61, rape is a felony and carries the potential for a prison sentence ranging from five years to life.

On the other hand, sexual battery is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and therefore, is prosecuted less severely than other offenses. However, a sexual battery conviction, even if not aggravated, is likely to have significant consequences. VA. Code § 18.2-67.4 defines sexual battery as the use of force, threats, or deception to have nonconsensual sex.

Sex Crimes Involving Minors

Sex offenses that involve minors may have more severe penalties, depending on the age of both parties. For instance, sexual abuse of a child between the ages of 13 and 15 is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

While carnal knowledge of a child between the ages of 13 and 15 without force is a Class 4 felony. However, this offense imposes less harsh charges and consequences if the defendant is a minor as well. For parties who are both minors and whose ages are within three years of one another, the charge drops to a Class 4 misdemeanor. An individual facing a charge for a sex crime involving a minor should contact an accomplished defense attorney right away.

Sex Offender Registration

One of the most punitive aspects of these offenses can be mandatory registration as a sex offender. After convicted individuals serve their time, they still may be required to register as sex offenders.

This registration makes detailed information about the offender, including their current address and the nature of their convictions, publicly available. Some of the convictions that may require registration include:

• Rape and attempted rape
• Sexual battery and aggravated sexual battery
• Solicitation of a minor
• Child pornography offenses

If the sex crime involved violence, registration as an offender may continue for life. If the crime was non-violent, individuals may be able to remove their registration requirement once they complied with various court orders and the court no longer considers them a risk to others. A McLean lawyer who is familiar with illicit sexual behavior cases could explain the full implications of sex offender registration.

Hire a McLean Sex Crimes Attorney

If you have been suspected of committing illegal sexual behavior, the implications could detrimental to your life. Additionally, you could face significant fines and jail time. As a result, it is important to hire a McLean sex crimes lawyer to help you build a case in your defense. For more information about how an attorney could help you, schedule a consultation today.