Annapolis Sex Crimes Lawyer
Some of the most devastating and life-changing offenses that a person may be charged with is a sex crime. Not only does a conviction of any of the various Maryland sex crimes carry harsh punishments, but the mere fact that a person is accused of these crimes can carry a harsh social stigma.
Annapolis sex crimes lawyers work to protect individuals not just in the courtroom, but also in the public arena. They understand the harsh effect that these charges can have on a person’s life and strive to handle these cases with both compassion and diligence. Contact a professional defense attorney today.
Maryland’s Sex Crime Laws
Sex crimes in Annapolis range from the most severe, to the misdemeanor level. The most serious of these offenses is Maryland Code 3-303, rape in the first degree. This involves the classic definition of rape with an aggravating factor of the use of a dangerous weapon. Alternatively, a person may be charged with this offense if they commit a rape during the commission of a burglary.
The potential punishment for this most severe accusation is a life term in prison. However, in some cases, such as where the alleged victim is a child under the age of 13, a conviction also carries a minimum prison sentence of 25 years. A lesser, but still very serious version of rape is rape in the second degree. According to Maryland Code 3-304, this is a rape where there is no use of a deadly weapon, or where the abused party is a mentally impaired individual. In these cases, a maximum sentence is 20 years in prison and should result in contact with an Annapolis sex crimes lawyer.
Sexual Offenses
All other sex crimes in Maryland that are not considered rape are encompassed in the sexual offense category. Essentially, these cover any sex act that is not vaginal intercourse. For a sexual offense in the first or second degree, many of the considering factors that determine whether a rape is a first or second-degree offense apply. For example, a first-degree sexual offense involves the use of a deadly weapon or an offense committed during a burglary according to Maryland Code 3-305. Accordingly, the potential penalties are identical to those for first-degree rape. The same connection can be made between second-degree rape and sexual offenses.
The charges of sexual offense in the third and fourth-degree involve only sexual contact with another, unwilling person. In essence, this is similar to all other allegations of sexual contact, but no penetration occurs. A third-degree conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. A fourth-degree sexual offense involves any sexual contact without a threat of force, or a sexual contact between an adult who works in a school and a student. These actions are only a misdemeanor offense in many situations resulting in a maximum sentence of one year in jail. However, a conviction under any of these statutes will require the defendant to register as a sex offender.
How an Annapolis Sex Crimes Attorney Can Help
Annapolis sex crimes lawyers understand Maryland’s laws concerning sex crimes and how to defend against them. They examine all of the evidence in a case to evaluate the prosecutor’s charge, the trustworthiness of the witnesses, and the quality of the police’s investigations.
They combine pre-trial motions and arguments with effective trial advocacy to provide individuals with a thorough, multi-layered defense. Keeping in mind that merely being charged with a sex crime is enough to change a person’s life. They also handle all of the cases with the utmost confidentiality and tact. A conviction under any Maryland sex offense will remain on a person’s criminal record and will require a person to register as a sex offender. The stakes could not be higher. Contact an Annapolis sex crimes attorney today.