Weston Sexual Assault Lawyer
An accusation that you sexually assaulted another person can have serious consequences, regardless of whether you are ultimately acquitted in court. Enforcing your right to defend yourself and proactively pursuing a favorable case result f is much easier with support from a Weston sexual assault lawyer. Reach out to a qualified sex crimes defense attorney from The Law Offices of Mark Sherman to get started.
How State Law Categorizes Sexual Assault Offenses
Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) § 53a-70 through 53a-73a define four “degrees” of offenses that a person accused of sexual assault may be charged with. A combination of two factors primarily differentiates these: (1) whether the defendant engaged in sexual contact with the targeted individual, and (2) whether the defendant used or threatened to use force to compel that interaction. Generally, offenses involving sexual contact are less severe than those involving sexual intercourse, and offenses stemming from someone’s material inability to consent to sex are less stringent than those stemming from threatened or actual force.
Another factor that plays an important role in how a sexual assault offense may be prosecuted is the age of the person allegedly targeted by the defendant. If the targeted individual is under 16 years old, the severity of the defendant’s charge is increased by one degree. For example, Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree–which involves sexual contact without force with someone who materially could not consent—would change from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony.
The presence of certain aggravating factors may also result in Sexual Assault in the First Degree being classified as “aggravated sexual assault.” This allows the offense to be prosecuted as a Class A Felony with mandatory minimum prison terms that may be decades long. A mandatory minimum means that a certain period of jail time cannot be suspended in any way. A Weston sexual assault attorney could go into more specific detail during a private consultation about what penalties a particular defendant might face if convicted.
Building a Strong Defense Against Sexual Assault Charges
When it comes to proactively contesting sexual assault allegations, the right strategy for one defendant may be wildly different from the right strategy for another. It depends largely on what evidence is available, what parties were involved in the alleged offense, and what the prosecution can definitively prove happened versus what they can only infer from subjective evidence, like witness testimony.
With that in mind, guidance from an experienced defense attorney is especially vital when dealing with sexual assault charges in Weston. Their ability to collect, preserve, and – if necessary – seek to have certain evidence declared inadmissible is critical to combating accusations of this nature. Legal counsel also plays a central role in ensuring that a defendant does not make any statements or actions which might inadvertently damage their case.
Contact a Weston Sexual Assault Attorney for Assistance
Sexual assault allegations make for immensely challenging criminal cases, but that does not mean handling them in a proactive way is impossible for defendants. That said, trying to defend yourself in court alone against charges like this will almost always lead to a poor outcome, as will relying on an overworked public defender.
Seeking help from a skilled Weston sexual assault lawyer can make a world of difference in your future. Check out our Avvo.com profile with over 300 certified client reviews, and learn more by calling Mark Sherman Law today.