Fairfield Date Rape Lawyer
The state of Connecticut takes sexual assault between intimate partners seriously, as any experienced sex crimes attorney can attest. If you are facing accusations of sexually assaulting someone you know, you should prioritize speaking with a Fairfield date rape lawyer as soon as possible.
How do State Authorities Prosecute Date Rape?
For various reasons, criminal cases built around allegations of “date rape” can be complex and require significant legal expertise to effectively contest in court. The Connecticut Penal Code does not currently have a statute criminalizing “date rape” as a distinct offense. As of 2019, there is also no statute specifically addressing sexual assault within a spousal or cohabitating relationship. Instead, courts will generally prosecute date rape allegations as one of several degrees of sexual assault, based on the specific misconduct a defendant allegedly engaged in and then note the file as an instance of “domestic violence.”
What are the Degrees of Sexual Assault?
If someone materially cannot consent because they are physically helpless and/or cognitively impaired by drugs or alcohol, a person accused of sexual contact with them may face fourth-degree sexual assault charges. These increase to second-degree charges for allegations of sexual intercourse with the impaired person.
Consequences for a conviction could range from a class A misdemeanor sentence of one year of jail time plus a $2,000 maximum fine, to a class C felony sentence of up to 10 years maximum in state prison plus a $10,000 fine.
A person who allegedly forces a date or intimate partner to engage in sexual activity may face prosecution for Class D felony third-degree sexual assault or Class B felony first-degree sexual assault. The charges depend on whether the allegations involved sexual contact or sexual intercourse. A Fairfield date rape attorney can provide more specific information about what section(s) of state law might play into a particular case.
How Can I Contest Date Rape Allegations in Fairfield?
Date rape cases tend to involve less objective evidence that an assault occurred, and more testimonial evidence that consent was not given or possible in a specific situation. Especially if drugs or alcohol were involved, it can be difficult to obtain reliable testimonies in these types of cases, leading to a “he said, she said” situation.
Despite this, counsel from an experienced lawyer is essential to effectively defend against date rape charges in Fairfield. In addition to contesting specific pieces of evidence presented by the prosecution, a local attorney can also play a key role in ensuring that legally inadmissible evidence is not shown in court and that subjective evidence does not lead to a conviction unsupported by objective information.
Call a Fairfield Date Rape Attorney for Help
Accusations of date rape can be difficult to fight in a proactive manner. Fortunately, help is available from knowledgeable legal professionals who have experience guiding people like you through similar situations.
Support from a seasoned defense attorney can be vital to effectively fight any criminal charges filed against you and minimize the damage of this allegation on your personal and professional life. A tenacious Fairfield date rape lawyer can be an important ally to have on your side during your legal proceedings. To schedule you consult, call us today. To learn more about who you’ll be meeting with, click here to read our firm’s over 300 5-star reviews on Avvo.