If you’ve been charged with a sex crime, it’s imperative that you contact a sex crimes attorney DC has to offer. Sex crimes are some of the most serious criminal offenses today. A conviction could result in extensive prison time, heavy fines, and possibly a lifetime of being registered as a sex offender.
When you’re charged with a criminal offense, this is because the prosecutor believes they have enough evidence to prove that you’re guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The job of your DC sex crimes attorney is to prove otherwise. To do this, a sex crimes attorney DC may provide must have considerable skill and experience.
At The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C., we’re proud to be a trusted source for anyone who needs a sex crimes attorney DC residents depend on. Since 1993, we have represented clients throughout the DC metro area. We have encountered many different sex crime cases, including:
- Sexual solicitation
- Prostitution
- Rape
- Child pornography
- Molestation
- Sexual harassment
- Public lewdness
Sex crimes are perhaps the most severely sentenced throughout the country, and there is more than a little evidence that this state of affairs is appropriate. Victims of sexual assault, rape, criminal sexual conduct and the like almost always experience significant trauma, which can affect the rest of their lives in a psychological sense. However, one hears very little about the men and women charged with sex crimes they did not commit. If one ever finds themselves in such a difficult and frightening situation, experienced legal advice may be all that stands in the way of being found culpable.
Classifications and Sentences
DC sex crime laws are extensive and detailed, as befits such dangerous and destructive crimes. The Criminal Code divides offenses into sections of major offenses and vulnerable victim offenses, but the penalties in each section are significant. For example, a relatively minor crime such as public indecency is typically a minor misdemeanor, but multiple convictions will make it a serious felony. A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of no more than $2,500, while a felony can carry a sentence of up to $25,000 in fines, plus one to three years in state prison.
Criminal sexual assault or aggravated criminal sexual abuse are both felonies, even though standard assault is usually a misdemeanor in most states – the sexual component is the difference which elevates these offenses to felonies, and many would argue justifiably so.
If You Are Accused
Being accused of a sex crime is no small matter. If one elects to take a plea or is found guilty, the punishments are severe in the majority of states, not just in terms of prison sentencing, but post-sentencing requirements. Not only does the social stigma of being a sex offender follow one around, the practical issues associated with such a status can be prohibitive. For example, in many states, registered sex offenders may not reside within certain geographic areas close to schools or businesses which cater to children, such as daycare centers – this can impact the offender’s ability to find housing at all. Some employers refuse to hire those with sex crime convictions.
If one finds themselves accused of a sex crime they did not commit, the most important suggestion as to conduct is to demand a criminal defense lawyer before saying anything. Sex crime cases are always significant, and it is more likely that a law enforcement official will try to obtain a confession than in other varieties of alleged criminal conduct. A person must be informed of the charges against them, but they may not be informed of small details, and as such, any improvised statement could prove damaging to their statements of innocence. The best chance one has is to remain silent and attempt to prove one’s innocence at trial, with a competent criminal defense lawyer leading the way.
Seek Knowledgeable Legal Assistance in DC
Being unjustly accused of any crime can be utterly terrifying. However, an experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to assuage some of the understandable fear one might feel. The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. stands ready to work with you to ensure the most appropriate possible outcome. Contact our office today to set up an initial consultation with a criminal defense lawyer DC clients recommend.
Crafting the Right Defense
As a criminal defense lawyer, your sex crimes attorney in DC has an important job: to prove you aren’t legally responsible for the accusation you face, or to negotiate for fairer charges and/or sentencing based on circumstantial evidence. In general, the defense crafts a case based on one of two approaches: either proving you didn’t do it, or proving you did it for reasons that should be pardoned.
1. I Didn’t Do It
Have you ever heard the phrase “innocent until proven guilty”? The most basic defense is to prove to the court is that the evidence point towards your innocence. Every American citizen has the right to a fair trial whereby the the judge and the jury assume that you are innocent until the evidence shows otherwise. It is the prosecutor’s responsibility to show your involvement in the crime. The prosecutor must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you committed the crime in question. It is the defendant’s attorney’s responsibility to raise such doubt.
2. I Did It But Shouldn’t Be Held Guilty
In some cases, the defendant admits that he/she committed the crime but argues that there was good reason for doing so. These types of defense arguments are complicated and are far less common in sex crime cases. However, someone facing a sex crime might present an entrapment defense. This might be used when the defendant has been tricked by the authorities to commit a crime.
Temporary insanity, self defense, and impaired judgement are three additional defense strategies that a sex crimes attorney DC trusts might use.
When Someone is Accused of Sexual Assault
Accusations of sexual assault are no joking matter, as such claims can turn a person’s life upside down within a second. Sadly, untrue allegations surrounding sexual assault happen all too often. It is possible for an innocent person to be wrongly accused of sexual assault, and now may have to face the associated consequences for such a charge. Once a person receives notification of the sexual assault allegation, he or she should meet with a top sex crimes attorney DC residents trust from The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C., immediately.
In the article here, we will discuss in further detail about allegations of sexual assault, including potential consequences, factors during trial, and defense strategies.
What happens next after the accusation is made?
The next step after an allegation of sexual assault is a thorough investigation of what happened. Right after being notified of the charge, the accused should begin gathering evidence in support of his or her innocence. It is highly recommended that a top sex crimes attorney DC has to offer is hired in order to help the accused go through the legal process. A sex crimes attorney that is familiar with sexual assault allegations can offer guidance, advice, strategy, and representation throughout the way.
What are the consequences for a sexual assault charge?
Sexual assault is typically considered a felony, and the majority of convictions result in a long-term jail or prison sentence, registration as a sex offender, and the need to battle social stigmas. More examples of consequences for a sexual assault charge are listed as follows:
-Potential restrictions on where you live, including having to be a certain distance away from neighborhoods or schools
-Paying thousands of dollars in fines
-Possibly having to inform neighbors about your status as a sex offender
-You may no longer have the right to bear arms
-Suffering a poor quality of life due to feeling isolated from society
-Paying compensation to the supposed victim for medical costs
If you are at all concerned about the aforementioned penalties, a top sex crimes attorney DC recommends having on your side can review your case and help you to understand potential defenses that could mitigate or reduce the outcome of your case.
What factors are taken into consideration during the trial?
A judge may consider a variety of factors during the trial, including whether the accused has a criminal history, if he or she admits a level of responsibility in what happened, the severity of the alleged crime, and more.
What are some defense strategies my attorney may utilize?
After The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C., consults with you about the sexual assault allegation, your attorney may want to help you pick a defense strategy. The defense tactic you use against the sexual assault claim can have a huge influence on the ultimate verdict. You and your top sex crimes attorney in Washington, DC, may decide it is best to plead innocence, consent, or mental incapacity. These three legal defenses are briefly defined below:
- Innocence = to argue that there was no way the accused could have actually committed the assault, by presenting an alibi (the accused shows evidence that he or she was somewhere else when the crime happened).
- Consent = to admit that the sexual act did happen, but that the supposed victim actually consented to the behavior.
- Mental incapacity = to claim the accused was suffering from a mental illness when the crime occurred, and that liability for his or her actions should be eliminated.
Time is Of the Essence! Do Not Wait to Consult a Sex Crimes Attorney from The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C.
Regardless of your innocence or guilt, or the applicable factors of your case, if you’re facing sex crimes charges, you should call a top sex crimes attorney DC community members turn to for fast and confidential advice.
Contact The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. Today
Creating an argument in your defense involves many different elements in a sex crimes case. At The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C., we understand the gravity of these charges and the consequences of a conviction.
If you are being investigated or have already been charged with a sex crime, please contact our office today at 202-544-7200 to speak with a knowledgeable sex crimes attorney DC residents trust.
Sex Crimes Attorney DC, Maryland, Virginia: A conviction for a felony sex crime, such as aggravated sexual assault, rape or criminal sexual behavior with a minor, can result in prison time and lifetime registration on a sex offender list.
If you or a family member has been charged with any sex crime, starting a vigorous defense right away may prevent the worst penalties from being assessed.Since 1993, Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. has been providing experienced, effective criminal defense representation for people in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia who need to get the best possible outcome for their charges of sex crimes. Our attorneys will not judge you or the charges against you. We listen to the details of the charges and then use our experience to aggressively pursue strategies that reduce charges based on violations of your rights, probable cause for the arrest, and reasonable doubt about the facts.Sex crimes sometimes come down to interpretations by the person making allegations, the police and the prosecutors. Our firm challenges the interpretations and investigates what motives might lay behind the charges. Whenever possible, we fight to reduce the charges to a non-sex offense.
We provide aggressive, effective defense for a full range of sex crimes, including:
- Sexual solicitation, prostitution
- Internet child pornography
- Pedophile crimes
- Sexual assault
- Rape, date rape, statutory rape
- Criminal sexual misconduct, public lewdness, molestation
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