Westport Rape Lawyer
If you have been accused of rape, you deserve quality representation from a top sex crimes attorney as much as anyone accused of any other offense. A seasoned Westport rape lawyer can stand by your side and tirelessly defend your rights and best interests throughout every stage of the case being made against you.
How Does State Law Define Unlawful Sexual Intercourse?
In previous years, rape was classified as a separate criminal offense from sexual assault under Connecticut’s penal code, but now the offense of forcing someone else to engage in sexual intercourse is prosecuted as a form of sexual assault. This means that penetration does not necessarily need to occur for someone to face criminal charges for first- or second-degree sexual assault, as the definition of “sexual intercourse” set out by Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §53a-65 includes certain non-penetrative actions and disregards the gender identity of either involved party.
What Do Most Cases Center Around?
Most cases that Westport rape attorneys deal with center around someone allegedly not consenting to the sexual intercourse forced upon them by the defendant. Importantly, however, sexual intercourse can still be nonconsensual even if the alleged victim did not physically or verbally demonstrate a lack of consent.
What Are Some Examples of Non-Consent?
For example, a person may be charged with and convicted of sexual assault for having sexual intercourse with someone who was physically or mentally impaired or incapacitated at the time the encounter in question occurred. Likewise, under Connecticut state law, no minor under the age of 16 can consent to sexual intercourse with a legal adult or with someone more than two years older than him under any circumstances.
What Are the Potential Consequences of Sexual Assault Convictions?
Any instance of sexual assault involving sexual intercourse would be prosecuted as a felony offense in Connecticut. Sexual assault committed by someone misusing a position of authority or against someone who is temporarily or permanently impaired would typically be classified as class C felony second-degree sexual assault, whereas compelling someone into sexual intercourse with violent force or having sex with a mentally incapacitated person is class B felony first-degree sexual assault.
If someone commits either of these degrees of sexual assault against a minor, the associated charges would be elevated to class B and class A felonies, respectively. Likewise, any forced sexual intercourse that involves the threat of serious physical harm, actual physical harm, or the use of a deadly weapon would constitute aggravated first-degree sexual assault.
What Will a Felony Conviction Result In?
Depending on the circumstances, a conviction for felony sexual assault can result in mandatory minimum prison sentences, fines of up to $20,000, and a permanent criminal record that results in the loss of certain civil privileges. Anyone accused of any kind of nonconsensual sexual intercourse should contact a rape lawyer in Westport sooner rather than later.
Talk to a Westport Rape Attorney Today
The best way to increase your odds of a positive case outcome is usually to have your case managed by a qualified legal professional. Get in touch with a Westport rape lawyer today to discuss your situation and start planning your legal defense. Do not hesitate; call Mark Sherman Law now.