Sexual assault allegations are taken very seriously. If you have been charged with sexual assault, your first call should be to a criminal defense attorney. A sexual assault conviction is likely to play a significant role in you life for a number of years. Ensuring that you have legal representation from the start will be vital. A criminal defense attorney can represent you during an interrogation and strategize in the event your case goes to trial.
What Classifies Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault is an unwanted sexual encounter without the consent of the person being pursued. Sexual assault can present itself in a variety of ways. This also encompasses situations where the victim is unable to give their consent due to being incapacitated. It’s important to note that in a number of situations, victims of sexual assaults are known to their perpetrators in some way. There are a number of acts that can be classified as sexual assault:
Perhaps the most well known form of sexual assault is rape, which can take on several forms:
- Date Rape: when a person is attacked by someone that they know
- Stranger Rape: when a person is attacked by someone they do not know it can occur
- In public by a quick and brutal sexual assault
- Or by luring a victim to their vehicle or other isolated space
- Or by a home invasion.
Other forms of sexual assault include:
- Exhibitionism
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Voyeurism
- Sexual Harassment
- Forced Sexual Acts
- Fondling
- Attempted Rape
Being accused of sexual assault can come with some stigma attached. It’s likely that you will be concerned over how this will impact you long term, especially if you are falsely accused of committing such an offense. An attorney can help you understand the ramifications of such a charge and ensure that your rights are protecting throughout the legal process.
Managing False Allegations
If you were falsely accused of sexual assault, the thought of the legal process you are soon to encounter can be terrifying. Unfortunately, your life may be significantly impacted in a variety of ways. By responding quickly and efficiently with a criminal defense attorney by your side, you may be able to confront the allegations head on in hopes of putting the entire thing behind you. By proactively doing the following, you can ensure that you move through the legal process as quickly as possible:
- Hire a criminal defense attorney with experience in this area of practice.
- Your attorney may recommend a polygraph or psychological evaluations
- Write down your account of what happened, providing as many details as possible.
- Put together a list of witnesses who can attest to the events at the time of the alleged assault.
- Do not provide law enforcement with any information that could be used against you.
If you are falsely accused of sexual assault, you will want to make sure that you take the allegations seriously be working with a good criminal defense attorney. By not doing so, you could risk being convicted of a crime you did not commit. The consequences of sexual assault could be serious if you are convicted and may include: incarceration, difficulty obtaining employment in the future, becoming a registered sex offender, restrictions regarding where you can live, and much more.
If you are in the midst of sexual assault allegations, chances are it’s time to contact an attorney. Hiring legal representation can be beneficial in tackling the charges that you face head on.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at Rasmussen & Miner for their insight into criminal defense.
