The stigma of being accused of a sex crime is horrendous. The accusation alone can permanently damage your reputation. But in our judicial system, in every state of the union, an individual is innocent until proven guilty. If accused, every single person is entitled to a vigorous defense.
Sex offenses are usually felony charges. The stretch you might end up serving if convicted of sexual assault varies with the charge. That can shake out to anywhere from 10 to 150 years.
Then, upon release from prison, depending on the crime, you may be required to register with a sex offender database. You will have to comply with tracking and monitoring requirements. This is something like parole and must be complied with, or one faces criminal penalties.
Your side of the story
But, as with any crime, you may be falsely accused. There are always two sides to a story. You want to know that your side of the story will be heard. Evidence will have to be gathered, and a proper investigation is done. Your defense attorney’s role is, among other things, to hear you fully and to find holes in the prosecution’s case.
The severity of a sexual offense charge cannot be overstated. Whether you are innocent, guilty, or somewhere in between, you should not go through the legal system one step of the way alone. Effective and vigorous representation is key to mitigating a negative outcome.
