Many criminal acts have a sexual component to them. These sex crimes span a wide spectrum of severity, ranging from simple misdemeanors to felonies punishable by years in prison. All of them, however, are serious accusations for defendants to face, as the penalties are significant and many convictions require registration as a sex offender.
If you were accused of committing a sex crime in Homewood, retaining a skilled personal injury attorney could be essential. By hiring a Homewood sex crimes lawyer, you could have professional assistance raising the defenses and arguments needed to effectively argue your position. By vigorously enforcing your rights and challenging the prosecutor’s case, your attorney may be able to help you to reach a positive outcome.
Common Kinds of Sex CrimesThere are numerous sex crimes on the proverbial books in Homewood, some of which are more severe than others. There are even some that do not require any physical contact to be made for the offense to be committed. Many have additional penalties if the offense was done to a minor or child, all of which a Homewood sex crimes attorney could go over with you in greater detail.
ProstitutionOne of the most pervasive sex crimes committed in Homewood is prostitution. Alabama Code §13A-12-121(c) prohibits engaging in sexual intercourse or even sexual contact with someone else for money, or in exchange for anything of value.
Rape and Statutory RapeTwo of the most serious sex crimes in Homewood are rape and statutory rape. Under AL Code §13A-6-61, rape is considered to be either forcible sexual intercourse with someone else, or sexual intercourse with someone who is unable to consent because of a physical or mental disability. Statutory rape, on the other hand, happens when someone older than 16 has sexual intercourse with someone under the age of 12.
In Homewood, rape is a Class A felony offense. The potential penalties for a conviction include a mandatory minimum of ten years in jail, with the sentence extending as long as 99 years. There is also a fine of up to $60,000. Having help from a sex crime lawyer in Homewood with defending against a rape allegation could be of paramount importance with these kinds of penalties on the table.
Sexual Abuse or MisconductAL Code §13A-6-65 addresses sexual abuse and misconduct. For men, sexual misconduct consists of engaging in sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent, but where the conduct falls short of an instance of rape. It also covers sexual intercourse obtained with her consent, but where the consent was fraudulently obtained.
For women, sexual abuse involves having intercourse with a man without his consent. Sexual misconduct of any variety is a Class A misdemeanor.
Child MolestationChild molestation is another sex crime in Homewood that carries severe penalties. As per AL Code §13A-6-69.1, child molestation occurs when someone 16 or older inappropriately touches someone else who is under the age of 12.
Speaking With a Homewood Sex Crime AttorneyIf you were accused of any sex crime in Homewood, hiring an attorney to help defend against the charges is often an important first step. By getting a lawyer involved early on in your case, you could prepare for the upcoming trip through the legal system by invoking your rights early and potentially depriving the prosecutor of opportunities to gather incriminating evidence.
A Homewood sex crimes lawyer could work with you to determine how best to proceed in your case, identify the strongest arguments in your defense, and provide the legal representation that you need to fight these charges. Call today to schedule a consultation.