Milford Sex Crimes Lawyer
Law enforcement authorities and court officials in Connecticut take an especially harsh view towards all unlawful sexual conduct, especially if it allegedly involves the abuse or molestation of children. As serious as an accusation of this nature always is, though, it is still possible to achieve a favorable outcome from an ensuing criminal case if you act proactively to protect your rights and have help from a qualified Milford sex crimes lawyer who has handled similar situations successfully in the past.
What Qualifies as a “Sex Crime”?
While the term “sex crime” is not specifically defined in the Connecticut Penal Code, it is generally used to refer to criminal offenses which—in addition to terms of incarceration, monetary fines, and other sanctions—are punishable upon conviction by mandatory registration with the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection as a sex offender. Depending on the nature of the offense and sometimes on the defendant’s history of similar convictions, sex offender registration may be required for a minimum of 10 years or the rest of a defendant’s life after their release from incarceration.
Almost all criminal offenses carrying sex offender registration as a consequence of conviction are classified as felonies, with the only exception being Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree—targeting someone who is at least 16 years old—which can be prosecuted as a Class A misdemeanor. Specific offenses that are commonly categorized in this way include:
- Risk of Injury to a Child involving Unlawful Sexual Contact with a Minor, as defined in Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) § 53-21(a)(2)
- Sexual Assault in the First through Fourth Degrees, as defined in G.S. §§ 53a-70 through 53a-73a
- Promotion of Prostitution in the First Degree involving someone under the age of 18, as defined in C.G.S. §53a-86(a)(2)
- Enticing a Minor Through a Computer Service, as defined in C.G.S. §53a-90a
- Voyeurism if committed specifically for sexual gratification, as defined in C.G.S. §53a-189a
- Employing or Promoting a Minor in an Obscene Performance, as defined in C.G.S. §§53a-196a and 53a-196b
- Importing or Possessing Child Pornography, as defined in C.G.S. §§53a-196c through 53a-196f
Building a Strong Defense Against Sex Crime Allegations
All criminal prosecutions are theoretically built around proving the defendant’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt” based on as much objective evidence as possible. In reality, though, circumstantial and subjective testimonial evidence may play a significant role in the average criminal case, and especially in cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct.
This is a big reason why it can be so important to have help from a seasoned sex crimes defense lawyer in Milford when dealing with a charge of this nature. Skilled legal counsel can get legally inadmissible evidence struck from the court record, cross-examine witnesses on a defendant’s behalf, and above all ensure that a defendant does not inadvertently harm their own defense by saying or doing the wrong thing while their case is ongoing.
Contact a Milford Sex Crimes Attorney for Assistance
No two “sex crime” cases are exactly alike, and the optimal defense strategy for one person’s case may be entirely inappropriate for yours even if the same criminal charge is at the heart of each case. No matter what, though, you should make sure you have the best possible legal support on your side by speaking with a Milford sex crimes lawyer as soon as possible after first being accused of a crime like this. Call Mark Sherman Law today to discuss your options during a confidential consultation and click here to view feedback from previous clients.