Foxwoods Casino Rape Lawyer
In Connecticut, allegations of rape are taken very seriously. Matters only become more complicated if the alleged offense occurred on tribal land.
If you face charges for an alleged rape at or near Foxwoods Casino, you should immediately speak to a seasoned defense attorney. Contact Mark Sherman Law today to discuss your legal options with a Foxwoods Casino rape lawyer.
How Does State Law Addresses Rape?
The Mashantucket Pequod Tribal Police work closely with state law enforcement authorities to share records and make arrests for law violations at Foxwoods Casino. In light of this, the same state statutes that apply to rape anywhere else in Connecticut also apply at the casino.
The Connecticut Penal Code no longer uses the term “rape” to refer to someone who engages in sexual intercourse with another party who does not or cannot consent. Instead, actions of this nature are referred to as “sexual assault” in either the first or second degree. If someone engages in intercourse with another party who materially cannot consent and does not use or threaten force to do so, they may be charged with Sexual Assault in the Second Degree under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §53a-71. Non-consensual intercourse through the use or threat of force—or intercourse with a person under 13 years old if the perpetrator is over 15—constitutes Sexual Assault in the First Degree under C.G.S. §53a-70.
Furthermore, First-Degree Sexual Assault that occurs alongside any of the following circumstances may be prosecuted as Aggravated Sexual Assault in the First Degree under C.G.S. §53a-70a:
- The perpetrator is armed with or believably represents themselves as being armed with a deadly weapon;
- The perpetrator intentionally causes a permanent disabling and/or disfiguring injury to the targeted person;
- The perpetrator is aided by two or more other people during the assault;
- The perpetrator causes serious injury to the targeted person through reckless behavior, indicating an “extreme indifference to human life.”
If someone has further questions about whether an incident may qualify as First- or Second-Degree Sexual Assault, they should contact a rape attorney serving Foxwoods Casino.
What Are the Potential Penalties of a Rape Conviction?
In their basic forms, Sexual Assault in the Second Degree is a Class C felony in Connecticut, with maximum sanctions of 10 years imprisonment plus a $10,000 fine. Sexual Assault in the First Degree is a Class B felony, with maximum sanctions of 20 years imprisonment and up to $15,000 in fines. Both offenses also carry a mandatory minimum non-suspendable prison term—nine months for the former offense, two years for the latter—and mandatory sex offender registration.
Importantly, the severity of a sexual assault conviction automatically increases by one level if the offense is committed against a minor under 16. If this is the case, Sexual Assault in the Second Degree becomes a Class B felony, and Sexual Assault in the First Degree becomes a Class A felony punishable by 10 to 25 years in prison. Uniquely severe sanctions apply to charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault in the First Degree, as a Foxwoods Casino rape attorney can further explain.
Consider Working with a Foxwoods Casino Rape Attorney Today
Even if you do not have a prior criminal record, accusations of rape can have severe, life-altering repercussions. It is important to know that these consequences still apply to offenses completed on tribal land.
A seasoned attorney can advise you of your legal options if you face charges for a rape incident at or near Foxwoods Casino. Click here to read our over 300 certified client reviews on Avvo.com, and contact a Foxwoods Casino rape lawyer at Mark Sherman Law to start building your defense today.