Norwalk Statutory Rape Arrests

Were you arrested for statutory rape or second-degree sexual assault in Norwalk, CT? Contact a top defense attorney for help with your case.

What Happens After a Statutory Rape Arrest in Norwalk, CT?

After an arrest has been made and the charges are filed with the court, the defendant will receive the first court date, which is known as the arraignment. If the accused turns themselves in and is able to make bond, arraignment will be scheduled within two weeks. If they are not able to make bond, the arraignment will be within 48 hours, if the arrest occurs on the weekend.

If the arrest occurs during the week, the first court date will be scheduled for the next business day. This will be a bond hearing, in which the person can either hire an attorney or will be assigned one to argue bond conditions of release.

After the initial arraignment, there will be court dates assigned, at which the person’s lawyer is able to check-in and begin negotiating with the prosecutor. They will get access to the evidence that the prosecutor has against the defendant, and motions will be filed to preserve the evidence. A plea negotiation will be entered, or the charges will go to trial.

Are There Programs Available for First-Time Offenders?

Yes. A person charged with statutory rape may be eligible for the accelerated rehabilitation program under certain circumstances. They cannot be charged with anything higher than a Class C felony, and they can never have used the program before. They also must not have any prior convictions on their record. However, this is rare in statutory rape cases, and asking the court to grant it would be an uphill battle.

What is the Accelerated Rehabilitation Program in Connecticut?

The accelerated rehabilitation program is a pre-trial diversionary program that is offered through the court for first-time offenders. The defendant needs to show good cause regarding why they should be granted the program. This program suspends the prosecution of the charges for a period of time imposed by a judge lasting no longer than two years. At the end of the time period imposed by the judge, the charges will be dismissed from the defendant’s record.

Contact a Norwalk Statutory Rape Attorney

If you were arrested for statutory rape in Norwalk, you should contact an attorney immediately because these charges are incredibly serious. A felony conviction can impact the rest of your life. The sooner a top defense attorney gets involved in a case, the sooner they can start gathering evidence and negotiating with the prosecutor. Call Mark Sherman Law today to schedule a consultation.