Westport Sexual Misconduct Lawyer
The term sexual misconduct can apply to many different charges since there is no specific offense defined in the Connecticut Penal Code under that particular term. However, if you have been accused of inappropriate and unlawful sexual behavior, that accusation could fundamentally alter the course of your life even if you have no past criminal record and even if you are not convicted of any criminal wrongdoing in court.
Fortunately, you have support available from an experienced Westport sexual misconduct lawyer who knows through experience how to effectively handle all types of sex crime charges. Whether you are facing misdemeanor or felony-level allegations, our defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Mark Sherman could work tirelessly to protect your best interests and help you construct a strong defense strategy tailored to your unique circumstances.
How Does State Law Classify Sexual Misconduct?
As your Westport attorney can further explain, the state broadly groups criminal offenses that might be referred to as sexual misconduct into one of three categories: crimes against minors, non-violent sexual offenses, and sexually violent offenses. The first category covers offenses that specifically target or otherwise directly harm people under the age of 18, including Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material in the Third through First Degrees, certain forms of Sexual Assault in the Third through First Degrees, and Public Indecency under certain circumstances.
The second category is the most narrowly defined, as it only includes two offenses: Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree and Voyeurism if committed in specific ways for the purpose of sexual arousal and gratification. Finally, the third category covers offenses that involve the use or threat of physical force, including most forms of Sexual Assault in the Third through First Degrees, Aggravated Sexual Assault in the First Degree, and Kidnapping in the First Degree if done expressly for sexual purposes.
Understanding Sex Offender Registration
All three of the aforementioned types of sexual misconduct can include mandatory sex offender registration as a penalty, alongside other sanctions such as fines and prison time. Someone who is convicted of a sex offense categorized as a crime against minors must register for 10 years after a first-time conviction and for life after any subsequent conviction for an offense of the same nature. The same rules apply to someone convicted of a nonviolent sexual offense.
However, someone convicted of a sexually violent offense must register as a sex offender for life regardless of whether they have any prior criminal record. State criminal courts also have the authority to require 10 years of sex offender registration upon conviction for any felony offense deemed to have been committed for a sexual purpose, a presumption that a lawyer in Westport could contest if needed.
Contact a Westport Attorney for Help With Your Sex Offense Charges
Sexual misconduct allegations could affect your life long after any ensuing criminal proceedings conclude, even if those proceedings end without you being convicted. It is vital to be as calm and proactive as possible while you contest accusations of this nature, and assistance from a knowledgeable legal professional could be essential.
A Westport sexual misconduct lawyer from our firm could guide you through every stage of your criminal case and help you manage the non-criminal aspects of your charge(s) as well. Call The Law Offices of Mark Sherman today to learn more, or read some of the 300+ verified reviews on our Avvo.com profile by clicking here.