There are a handful of sexually-based crimes that could be committed in Alexandria. While each of these carries significant penalties, some also require convicted individuals to register as a sex offender.
If you have been accused of any of these offenses, hiring an Alexandria sex crimes lawyer might prove to be an important next step. With the help of a tenacious defense attorney, you could defend yourself against the serious accusation you are facing and work to protect your rights and interests.
Simply put, a sex crime is any type of sexual conduct that is prohibited by law. While some of these offenses require intercourse, many do not. Some offenses — like solicitation — do not even require any contact.
All sex crimes in Alexandria, however, carry stiff penalties. Beyond this, the penalties for any charge become elevated if the accusations involve conduct with minors. The specific nature of an offense could be explained by a knowledgeable Alexandria sex crimes attorney.
In the eyes of the law, rape is among the most severe sexually-based crime. Prohibited under Code of Virginia § 18.2-61, rape is defined as having someone else perform sexual intercourse against their will, using their mental or physical incapacity — or with any child under the age of 13.
A conviction for rape might result in a minimum prison sentence of 25 years, or, in the event that the charge is against a minor, a mandatory minimum term of life in prison. Due to the severity of these charges, a person facing allegations might benefit from speaking with an Alexandria sex crimes lawyer about their right to a defense.
A related sexual offense to the charge of rape is sexual battery. Prohibited by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-67.4, sexual battery involves the intentional touching of someone else’s intimate body parts. This offense could also be committed by forcing someone else to initiate the contact.
Virginia law places particular severity on punishments for sex crimes involving children. Therefore, Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-63 prohibits having any carnal knowledge of a child between the ages of 13 and 15. Furthermore, this law does not require the use of force in order to still be an offense. If force is used against a child, however, it might fall under the above-mentioned charge of rape.
Even if a charge does not allege intercourse or contact, a claim might still be pursued in Alexandria for the charge of an attempted sexual crime. Under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-67.5, even the attempted commission of any of the following sexual offenses is prohibited:
While the penalties for an attempted sex crime might be lower than those for a committed offense, they are still serious accusations to face. Furthermore, the social stigma of having a criminal history that includes a conviction for an attempted sex crime might still extremely difficult to overcome. As a result, anyone facing allegations of any sexually-related charge might consider speaking with a seasoned sex crimes attorney in Alexandria about how to protect their rights.
Being accused of a criminal act could be an overwhelming experience. Regardless of the offense you have been accused of committing, the penalties for a conviction might be significant and life-altering. Along with facing the potential for a jail sentence and a heavy fine, the blemish on a criminal record for a sexually-based crime conviction could present numerous obstacles and roadblocks in your professional and social life for years afterward.
If you were accused of a carnal offense, you might benefit from speaking with an Alexandria sex crime lawyer. By hiring a steadfast defense attorney, you could rest assured that a legal professional is working tirelessly to protect your rights. For more information about building your defense, call today.
Northern Virginia Criminal Defense Group
