Lincoln Sex Crimes Lawyer

If the police arrested you for a sex crime, it is imperative that you take immediate action to ensure your rights are defended. Due to the serious and complex nature of these charges, we strongly advise against facing the legal system alone. Without our supportive assistance and personalized legal solutions, you could be risking your future and jeopardizing your rights.

Do not sit back and wait for your charges to blow over. Ensure your rights are protected by contacting an experienced Lincoln sex crimes lawyer. At Berry Law, we will exhaust our resources to defend your rights, reputation, and future. With more than 250 years of combined legal experience, our criminal defense attorneys can provide you the high-quality legal representation you need.

Common Sex Crime Cases

There are many types of sex offenses for which an individual may face criminal charges. Some of the most common crimes include:

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

These sexual misconduct offenses can result in steep penalties if you are convicted, so it could prove vital to hire a dedicated lawyer in Lincoln to help develop your defense.

When Do Statutory Rape Laws Apply?

Statutory rape laws are complex. The statutes generally ban sexual contact between adults and minors, but there are some important nuances to this offense that are important to understand.

State law applies a “Romeo and Juliet” exception to these cases—which protects younger adults from criminal charges following consensual sexual acts with individuals close to their age. This exception shields any person aged 18 or younger from prosecution for statutory rape.

Unfortunately, the “Romeo and Juliet” exemption does not apply to people 19 and over. It is also important to note that claiming a mistake of age is not a viable defense to statutory rape. The state can charge someone even when the minor actively misrepresented his or her age at the time. For more information about how these laws can impact your case, speak with a knowledgeable sex crimes attorney right away.

A Lawyer Can Challenge Your Sex Crime Allegations

Sex crimes tend to hold a greater social stigma than any other criminal offense. Despite their serious nature, some charges for sexual misconduct result from false allegations. For example, mistaken identity may lead someone to accuse you instead of the true assailant.

In situations such as these, our sex crimes attorneys can help you fight your charges and work to prove your innocence. The legal team at Berry Law will tirelessly fight to protect your future and defend your rights.

When is Consent a Viable Defense to a Sex Crime Charge?

Of all the potential defenses for a sex offense, consent is one of the most common arguments lawyers use. Unlike many other options, a consent defense does not require you to disprove that sexual contact never happened.

Instead, this defense relies on evidence that the encounter with the accuser occurred with his or her consent. Ultimately, any consensual sexual act between two adults cannot result in a sex crime conviction.

There are situations where a consent defense is not a valid argument. This defense is only an option if the accuser had the capacity to consent at the time of the encounter. For example, if the opposing party was too intoxicated to consent, you may not use this defense. The same is true for minors who are legally unable to consent to sexual activity.

Is Failing to Register as a Sex Offender Illegal?

Even with a strong defense, it is not always possible to escape conviction. When the court convicts someone of a sex crime, he or she must register as a sex offender within three days of sentencing. Failure to do so can result in additional criminal charges.

Convicted individuals also have a responsibility to ensure their information in the sex offender’s registry is up to date. Keeping old information on the registry can also result in additional charges. For assistance navigating the registry after a conviction for a sex crime, get in touch with a local attorney.

Consult a Lincoln Sex Crimes Attorney Right Away

If the court convicts you of a sex crime, the immediate penalties and permanent consequences can be devastating. You may be punished with large fines and prison time. Additionally, the court will require you to register as a sex offender.

A criminal record can have a severe impact on your future opportunities and make it difficult for you to secure employment or housing. At Berry Law, we believe that you have a right to explain your side of the story, and we are prepared to fight for you. Our Lincoln sex crimes lawyers have experience defending the rights of individuals facing serious criminal charges. Contact us today to schedule a confidential case evaluation.