Sex Offenses in Connecticut

Contact the Law Offices of Mark Sherman if you have been charged or are under investigation for a sex crime. Our attorneys have extensive experience representing people charged with sex offenses in Connecticut. We know how to get you the best result possible in these circumstances.

Explanation of Common Charges

Rape is not the only serious sex crime. There are dozens of potential sexual offense charges prosecutors could bring depending on the particular circumstances.

The severity of the charge could vary depending on factors like whether the incident involved a weapon, whether the alleged victim was vulnerable due to age or disability, and whether you have prior convictions. Below are some of the more commonly charged offenses. A Connecticut sex crimes defense attorney can explain the charges you face and the potential penalties in more detail.

Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault in the First Degree is forcible sexual intercourse, commonly called rape. Connecticut General Statutes (“C.G.S.”) §53a-70 designates it a Class B felony. Aggravated Sexual Assault in the First Degree, C.G.S. §53a-70 (a), may be charged as a Class A or Class B felony. It is usually the charge when the alleged incident involved a weapon, serious bodily harm or the threat of serious bodily harm, multiple assailants, or the alleged victim was younger than 14 or mentally incapacitated.

C.G.S. §53a-72a describes Sexual Assault in the Third Degree as forcible sexual contact, which typically does not involve penetration. It is a Class C or Class D felony.

Sex Crimes Involving Minors

When a minor is the alleged victim of a sexual offense, criminal charges are more severe, penalties are harsher, and judges have less discretion in sentencing. The law prevents them from suspending a significant part of a prison sentence in some cases.

There are several sexual offenses that are charged only when the alleged victim is a minor. For example, C.G.S. §53a-70(c) applies to sexual assaults of children under 13 when there is an additional aggravating factor, and it is a Class A felony. The mandatory minimum sentence is 25 years in prison and the offender must serve the entire sentence.

What Is the Sex Offender Registry?

When you have been convicted of a sexual offense, your punishment does not end when your sentence is served. You will have to register as a sex offender and keep your current personal information in a database that can be searched by the public.

People who are listed in the registry cannot live near schools or work with children. Registrants’ applications for rental housing may be denied on the basis of their status and offenders frequently have trouble finding employment.

Offenders stay on the registry for ten years for minor offenses. If you were convicted of a violent or more serious sex crime, lifetime registration is required. A skilled sex crime defense attorney would negotiate aggressively with prosecutors to reduce a charge to an offense that does not mandate lifetime sex offender registration. In some cases taking a case to trial to try to win an acquittal is the best strategy to avoid sex offender registration.

Contact an Attorney at Mark Sherman Law If You Face Sex Crime Charges in Connecticut

Convictions for sex offenses in Connecticut can impact every aspect of your life forever. You must work with an experienced defense attorney who knows what is at stake and has the knowledge and skills to achieve a favorable outcome.

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