banner
Contact Us
Case Evaluation
close

    Greenwich Sexual Assault Lawyer

    As severe as the repercussions of a sexual assault allegation can be, you still have important legal rights that are important to enforce. With support from a Greenwich sexual assault lawyer, you could have much better chances of building a comprehensive defense to your specific charges. Contact our firm to speak with a dedicated sex crimes attorney today.

    How Does State Law Classify Degrees of Sexual Assault?

    In Connecticut you get charged with a specific degree of sexual assault, first through fourth. Each degree is a different level of severity and is differentiated from the other by a combination of two factors:

    • Whether the defendant engaged in non-consensual sexual contact or non-consensual sexual intercourse;
    • If the defendant used or threatened force to compel sexual activity or whether some other circumstances made the other party unable to consent.

    A knowledgeable Greenwich sexual assault attorney’s guidance can be crucial to understanding why you were charged with this crime and how to defend against allegations.

    Sexual Contact vs. Sexual Intercourse

    Someone who engages in non-consensual sexual contact with someone materially unable to consent has committed fourth-degree sexual assault under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) § 53a-73a. Sexual contact compelled through force or the threat of force constitutes a third-degree offense under C.G.S. § 53a-72a.

    Partaking in in sexual intercourse with a minor —sometimes called “statutory rape”—is considered second-degree sexual assault per C.G.S. § 53a-71. Additionally, intercourse occurring as the result of violence or other aggravated circumstances is defined under C.G.S. § 53a-70 as first-degree sexual assault.

    Any degree of sexual assault committed against someone younger than 16 at the time is automatically elevated by one degree in severity. For example, fourth-degree sexual assault becomes a class D felony as opposed to a Class A misdemeanor.

    What Are the Possible Consequences of a Conviction?

    Based on the degree, sexual assault can be anywhere from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class A felony. That covers a wide berth of penalties, and knowing exactly what you may face can be difficult to understand without the help of a sexual assault defense attorney.

    Punishment can include a sentence of 25 years in prison that cannot be suspended or reduced, and up to a maximum 50-year term. In addition, anyone convicted of a sexual assault offense must register as a sex offender after serving jail or prison time.

    First-time offenders convicted of a non-violent sex crime or any offenses against a minor must register for a minimum of 10 years. Any second-time offenders, as well as first-time violent offenders, must register for life. A sexual assault lawyer in Greenwich could go into further detail about how courts approach and enforce this requirement. To learn more in general about the Sex Offender Registry, click here.

    Contact a Greenwich Sexual Assault Attorney Today

    Sexual assault charges can lead to serious consequences in your personal and professional life, even if they do not end with a conviction in criminal court. If you are found guilty of an offense like this, you could face imprisonment, steep monetary fines, and often mandatory permanent registration as a sex offender.

    Effectively contesting these accusations can be complex, but putting forward the most comprehensive defense possible is vital to minimizing long-term damage. A Greenwich sexual assault lawyer can work diligently to protect your rights throughout every stage of your case. Contact Mark Sherman Law today for guidance you can depend on.