What You Need to Understand After Being Charged with Sexual Assault
If you were charged with sexual assault, you may already understand that the outcome of your case could affect you for the rest of your life. If convicted of sexual assault, it will remain on your criminal record. A criminal record can haunt you in both your personal and professional life. It may prevent you from getting a job, get you fired at your present job, and it may prevent you from getting loans. The list is long of potential roadblocks after being convicted of a serious crime such as sexual assault. For these reasons, it’s important that you hire a respected sex crime defense lawyer, like a sex crime lawyer in San Francisco, CA, whether you are guilty or innocent of the charge. With an experienced sexual assault, criminal defense lawyer guiding you through the justice system, you are much more likely to end up with a positive outcome for your case.
A Sexual Assault Charge is a Criminal Charge
Sexual assault charges fall into one of two categories — a felony, or a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is not nearly as serious as a felony, but do not be fooled into thinking it is frivolous. In fact, a misdemeanor conviction may result in having to pay large fines, face incarceration, and other punishments ordered by the judge. You may also have to publicly register as a sex offender for the rest of your life, and that information will be available for the public to see at any time. Representing yourself and hoping for the best is rarely an optimum strategy. Call a sexual assault, criminal defense lawyer to learn what he or she can do for you and your future.
Common Types of Sexual Assault Charges
There is more than just one type of sexual assault charge. Though you may have already been charged with one kind, depending on the circumstances of what occurred, you may be subsequently charged with other crimes as well — including other types of sexual assault. Your sexual assault, criminal defense lawyer can advise you as to whether or not this is likely to occur, and the additional charges you may face in the near future. Here are several of the most common types of sexual assault charges:
- Rape. When a victim is penetrated without their permission (consent), the assaulter is considered having raped them. It is not permissible for the assaulter to be excused for having committed this act because the victim was incapacitated in some way, such as being passed out or being mentally challenged.
- Sexual coercion. When someone pressures, threatens, or drugs someone else to perform a sexual act with them, this is considered sexual coercion.
- Stalking. When someone focuses their attention on another person in such a way as to make the victim feel vulnerable to an attack, or feel that their privacy has been invaded, the perpetrator may be charged with the crime of stalking.
- Sexual abuse of a minor or child. Because a minor cannot be considered giving consent to a sexual act, any type of sexual activity that occurs between a child and an adult is considered a sexual abuse of a child. The sexual activity may not even include physical touching. For example, if an adult takes a sexually oriented photo of a child, it is sexual abuse.
If you were charged with sexual assault, do not delay in contacting a criminal defense lawyer today.
Thanks to The Morales Law Firm for their insight into what you should know if you are charged with sexual assault.
