Danbury Sex Crimes Lawyer
Even if you have no prior criminal record, a single conviction for engaging in sexual misconduct of any kind could have life-altering repercussions. Put simply, an allegation of this nature is not something you want to try handling alone. Retaining a qualified Danbury sex crimes defense lawyer will give you dependable legal guidance and representation throughout your entire case.
Dealing With Sexual Assault Allegations
The most common form of sex crime that defense attorneys in Danbury deal with on a regular basis is sexual assault, mainly because “Sexual Assault” in the Connecticut Penal Code is a somewhat wide-reaching term that covers numerous distinct forms of sexual misconduct. There are four degrees of this charge established under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §§53a-70 through 53a-73a, which can be broadly summarized as follows:
- Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree – sexual contact with a person who materially cannot consent to sex;
- Sexual Assault in the Third Degree – sexual contact with a non-consenting person which is compelled with the use or threat of force;
- Sexual Assault in the Second Degree – sexual intercourse with a person who materially cannot consent to sex; and/or
- Sexual Assault in the First Degree – sexual intercourse with a non-consenting person which is compelled with the use or threat of force.
The presence of certain aggravating conditions in the course of committing Sexual Assault in the First Degree can result in enhanced criminal penalties in the event of a conviction, and any form of sexual assault targeting a person under the age of 16 will be upgraded by one degree of severity in terms of its criminal classification. With the exception of Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree of someone over 16, which is a Class A misdemeanor, all forms of Sexual Assault are felony offenses punishable by multiple years of prison time, thousands of dollars in fines, and mandatory sex offender registration for a minimum of 10 years and potentially for life.
Contesting Other Types of Sex Crimes Accusations
The possession, distribution, promotion, and/or production of Child Pornography is another example of a sex crime in Danbury which may warrant assistance from a defense lawyer experienced with handling this unique type of case. As per C.G.S. §§53a-196a through 53a-196h, this offense is always classified as a felony if committed by an adult over the age of 18, and it carries mandatory sex offender registration as well even if it is a nonviolent offense.
Certain other criminal offenses may be recategorized as sex crimes and punishable by mandatory sex offender registration if they are allegedly performed for sexual purposes and/or involve sexual misconduct with a minor. For example, the variant of Risk of Injury to a Child defined under C.G.S. §53-21(a)(2) may be treated as a sex crime in Danbury, since it entails contact with the intimate area(s) of a person under 16 years old “in a sexual and indecent manner.”
Consider Working With a Danbury Sex Crimes Attorney
Sex crimes can be uniquely difficult to contest in proactive ways, and they often carry harsh consequences in terms of both criminal sanctions and damage to your professional and personal reputation. That said, you still have rights that should be enforced through every stage of a case like this, as well as assistance available from knowledgeable private legal counsel. Call Mark Sherman Law today to discuss your options with a Danbury sex crimes lawyer, and click here to find out what our previous clients have to say about working with our trusted team.