Connecticut Sexual Battery Lawyer
If you have been accused of Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree, you need a Connecticut sexual battery lawyer to defend you. The criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Mark Sherman consistently obtain favorable outcomes for people accused of sex crimes.
What Is Sexual Battery?
Sexual battery is a traditional term describing intentional contact with someone’s intimate parts without consent that does not involve penetration. Connecticut General Statute §53a-73a covers these situations and calls the crime Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree. The purpose of the contact must be the sexual gratification of either party or the humiliation of the victim.
The law defines intimate parts as female breasts, genitals, groin, anus, and buttocks. Sexual battery includes contact with the intimate parts of either the alleged victim or the accused. For example, a woman who forces another person’s hand to make contact with her breast could be charged with sexual battery even though she did not touch the intimate parts of the alleged victim.
Contact need not be skin to skin and even slight contact could be charged as sexual battery. You must take the charge very seriously because a conviction could require you to register as a sex offender for ten years. Reach out to a Connecticut sex crimes defense attorney immediately if you face this charge.
Sexual Battery Against Vulnerable Victims
There are numerous situations described in the law that make any sexual contact a sexual battery, even if the alleged victim willingly participated. You may be in a consensual romantic relationship, but face a sexual battery charge because the law says your partner is unable to consent. Other cases involve situations where the law claims a power imbalance deprives the alleged victim of the power to refuse sexual contact.
This situation often arises when young people are romantically involved. Contact with intimate parts is sexual battery if the:
- Alleged victim is under 13 and the alleged perpetrator is more than 2 years older
- Alleged victim is between 13 and 15 and the alleged perpetrator is more than 3 years older
Intimate contact is also considered sexual battery if the alleged victim is under 18 and the accused is their parent, guardian, or someone responsible for their welfare.
You may face sexual battery charges for intimate contact with someone who is mentally incapacitated or physically helpless. Relationships between students and teachers, prison officials and inmates, and similar situations can also be sexual battery. Depending on the circumstances, a skilled Connecticut sex attorney can mount a vigorous defense to sexual battery charges based on insufficient evidence, lack of intent, mistake, or consent in some cases.
Penalties Upon Conviction
Sexual Assault is usually a Class A Misdemeanor. It can result in up to $2,000 in fines and up to one year in jail. If you are a first offender, an experienced Connecticut defense attorney could try to resolve the case through a diversion program that avoids a sex crime conviction.
Additionally, sexual battery can be charged as a Class D felony if the alleged victim is under 16. In that case, you could face up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.
Whether you are convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, you must register as a sex offender. You must provide your physical description, current address, vehicle information, and employment details, and keep the information updated. Appearing in the registry can severely impact your ability to secure housing, employment and limit educational and travel opportunities.
Present an Aggressive Defense to Connecticut Sexual Battery Charges With Our Attorneys
If you need a strong and relentless sex crimes defense attorney, contact the Connecticut sexual battery lawyer at Mark Sherman Law for help defeating your charges. Check out our verified reviews on Avvo to read what our former clients have to say.