Athens-Clarke County Sex Crime Lawyers

If you have been charged with a sex crime in the State of Georgia, you will need an experienced Athens-Clarke County sex crimes lawyer on your side every step of the way. A skilled defense attorney may be able to help you obtain a dismissal of your charge, plead down your offense to a lesser charge, and/or lessen your potential penalties and repercussions upon conviction. A local lawyer will know the nuances of your area’s court system and could predict how the prosecution will act based on their past experiences. Become acquainted with the following information to learn more about how a dedicated Athens-Clarke County sex crimes lawyer could make a difference in your case today.

Rape is governed by the Section 16-6-1 of the Georgia Criminal Code. Georgia law defines rape as having sexual intercourse with an individual against their will, or alternatively, having sexual intercourse with a child who is under the age of 10. Although extremely unlikely, Georgia law still allows for some form of capital punishment (including the death penalty) or a life sentence as the maximum penalty for a rape offense upon conviction. However, the more likely penalty upon conviction would include a lengthy prison sentence.

Statutory rape is governed by Section 16-6-3 of the Georgia Criminal Code. A person may be charged and/or convicted of statutory rape for having sexual relations with an individual who is under the age of 16 at the time of the alleged offense. The potential penalty for a statutory rape conviction can range anywhere from one to 20 years in prison. However, if the defendant is 18 years of age or younger (and the accuser is at least 14 years of age but not yet 16 years of age at the time of the alleged offense) the defendant may only be charged with a misdemeanor. An individual accused of these crimes should not hesitate to reach out to a seasoned defense attorney as soon as possible to gain an aggressive advocate for their defense.

An individual may be charged with a sexual battery offense for intentionally making physical contact with another’s intimate areas without their consent. These include one’s genitals, gluts, inner thighs, anus, or breasts. This crime may be aggravated if someone penetrates another individual without their consent either with their genitals or a foreign object. While sexual batteries are normally charged as misdemeanors, aggravated sexual batteries are typically charged as felonies, which may carry a potential life sentence along with them. In order to fight against these penalties, an individual should retain the protection of an experienced Athens-Clarke County sex crimes lawyer as soon as possible.

Sex crime charges and convictions are not treated lightly in the state of Georgia. While their penalties may seem daunting, know that you do not have to face them alone. A dedicated Athens-Clarke County sex crimes lawyer may be able to assist you with reducing the applicable charges and penalties upon conviction. A qualified attorney could gather evidence, interview key witnesses, and create a strong defense strategy on your behalf. If you wish to fight against your charges, reach out to a weathered Athens-Clarke County sex crimes lawyer today to schedule your initial consultation.