Council Bluffs Sex Crime Lawyer

If you have been arrested for a sex crime, you must act immediately to guarantee your rights are protected. We highly advise against addressing the legal system alone due to the severity and complex nature of these charges. 

Berry Law strives to provide excellence. Our sex crime lawyers in Council Bluffs work hard to handle your case with expediency, effectiveness, and exceptional client service. We want our clients to feel at ease and informed while we conduct the legal process.

What Is Considered a Sex Crime in Iowa?

There are numerous different sex offenses that can result in criminal charges. Among the most typical offenses are:

• Prostitution
• Indecent exposure
• Child molestation
• Sexual assault
• Solicitation of a minor
• Child pornography
• Rape
• Date rape
• Statutory rape

The state of Iowa divides sex offenses into three tiers. If you are found guilty of these sexual misconduct violations, you could face severe penalties. It is essential to work with a committed criminal defense attorney to build your defense.

Rights of Those Accused of a Sex Crime

When you’re a part of a sex crime investigation, it is easy to forget that you have fundamental rights. Hiring a skilled sex crime attorney in Council Bluffs, IA, will provide you with the greatest defense possible, but it is important to know that:

You don’t Have to Talk to the Police

When in doubt, reinforce your Miranda rights. As terrifying or frustrating as the situation could be, especially if an authority figure is questioning you, keep in mind that you are under no need to respond or say anything. Your best defense is to remain silent. 

Not All Information Is Honest Information

You need to be aware that what police and detectives are telling you may not always be truthful when they’re trying to persuade you to talk. They are free to omit information or tell lies in an effort to get you to speak.

They might even claim they can guarantee you the minimum punishment if you confess to the crime. Do not accept this.

You Are Allowed to Have a Lawyer

You are entitled to legal representation. If you are unable to pay for one, one will be appointed on your behalf. The second clause of the Miranda warnings advises you to hire a defense attorney to speak on your behalf if at all possible.

Iowa Penalties for Sex Crimes

Depending on the type of crime, the punishment for a sexual offense can be very different. A sentence for a minor sex crime conviction (such as indecent exposure) may include probation, a fine, community service, counseling, or a short period of time in jail. 

On the other hand, a felony may result in a lengthy prison sentence and a large fine. Additionally, sex offenders who have been freed from prison must register. Multiple convictions will result in harsher penalties for the offender.

Win Your Sex Crimes Case With a Strong Defense Approach!

When it comes to sex crime defense techniques and strategies for refuting a sex offense claim, there is no one size fits all strategy. However, these common approaches can be distinctly applied to successfully win your case:  

Innocence

Proving you did not commit the offense is one of the simplest and most straightforward ways to defend against a sex crime prosecution. 

A sex crime lawyer in Council Bluffs, IA, may attempt to show that the complainant is unreliable and untrustworthy.  

Tainted Evidence

In the case of child sex offenses, biases and misleading interviews can often “taint” the evidence. Adults who question children frequently fail to recognize the suggestive nature of their loaded questions, which can lead to false stories about what happened. 

Mental Illness

Insanity or mental illness, if proven, can result in a more lenient sentence from the jury and judge due to a lack of knowledge or understanding of the criminality of their actions.

The Motive to Make False Claims

Expert witnesses and a thorough investigation can be used to unearth evidence that could jeopardize the prosecution’s case. For example, are false child sex abuse allegations being used to gain an advantage in a child custody dispute or as a means of retaliation?

A skilled sex defense lawyer will investigate on your behalf to reveal motive, bias, and other threats to your case. 

Legal Representation for Sex Crime Charges in Iowa

We continuously see false accusations happen on a regular basis. If you are charged with a sex crime your best option is to hire a skilled defense attorney to help navigate the system. 

The criminal defense attorneys of Berry Law have over 250 years of collective legal experience that they’ve recently brought to Iowa. Each member of our legal team is essential to the success of the case, whether they are crafting strong arguments, timely presenting evidence, or reviewing client-friendly pleas.

Contact a Council Bluffs sex crime lawyer right away for a free consultation so that you can start protecting yourself as much as possible.