Virginia law provides for various types of sex crimes, all of which carry potentially serious consequences, including long prison terms. The penalties become even more severe when minors are involved in the offense. Consulting an Arlington sex crimes attorney may be crucial when facing these types of charges.
Rape, sexual battery, prostitution, solicitation, and various sexual offenses involving minors all are examples of sex crimes under Virginia law. A sex offense conviction can have lifelong implications, including mandatory sex offender registration and restrictions on where you can live and work.
Getting advice from an Arlington criminal defense lawyer may enable you to become aware of your options and make the decisions that are right for you.
One of the most common sex crimes is sexual battery, which is defined at Va. Code § 18.2-67.4. Generally, sexual battery occurs when individuals sexually abuse others against their will by using force, intimidation, threats, or deception. There are also various relationships defined in this section involving sexual abuse that qualify as sexual battery, which primarily involve individuals who are in positions of authority over others.
Sexual battery encompasses a wide range of sexual contact that involves the molestation, gratification, or arousal of any individual. This offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a potential jail sentence of up to 12 months and a fine of up to $2,500.
Another of the more common sex crimes is rape, as set forth in Va. Code § 18.2-61. Rape occurs when individuals cause others to engage in sexual intercourse with them or others in the following situations:
The age of the individuals involved have a direct bearing on the potential penalties for the crime. Depending on the circumstances, a rape conviction carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence that ranges from five years to life.
Va. Code § 18.2-346 considers both prostitution and solicitation to be offenses of the same level and with the same potential consequences. Prostitution involves performing or offering to perform sexual acts in exchange for money or something of value, whereas solicitation involves offering money or something of value in exchange for performing sexual acts. In either case, there must be evidence of some significant act toward carrying out the transaction.
Both prostitution and solicitation are Class 1 misdemeanor offenses under Virginia law. The potential sentence for these offenses includes up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
Various sex offenses under Virginia law specifically involve minors and the penalties for these offenses often depend upon the age of the individuals involved and the circumstances surrounding the incident. For instance, carnal knowledge of a child between the ages of 13 and 15, which includes both intercourse and other sexual acts, under § 18.2-63 is a Class 4 felony.
However, this offense may be a misdemeanor or less serious felony charge depending on the existence of consent by the minor and the relative ages of the parties involved.
Forcible sodomy pursuant to § 18.2-67.1 involves individuals who engage in various sexual acts with others, or cause them to be performed with others, when minors under the age of 13 are involved. This offense also includes acts that occur against the will of the minors by using force, threat, intimidation, incapacity, or helplessness.
Under Virginia law, forcible sodomy is a felony offense that can result in a prison sentence ranging from five years to life.
When you are facing charges of this potential magnitude, the potential consequences of a conviction can be devastating for years to come. A conviction could cause you to lose your freedom for a significant period of time, but the nature of these offenses may subject you to additional repercussions.
An Arlington sex crimes lawyer may be able to investigate the facts of your case and work toward a more positive resolution in your case.
Conviction for a sex-related crime can impact your ability to work at your choice of jobs, live in your choice of locations, and enjoy a host of other benefits. Avoiding or minimizing these potential consequences of a conviction may be a possibility with the assistance of experienced legal counsel.
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