Norfolk Sex Crimes Lawyer
If you have been accused of a sex crime in Norfolk, Virginia, you could be facing financial penalties, potential jail time, and a loss of reputation. There are several types and degrees of sex crimes in Norfolk, and being accused of any of these crimes can be an intimidating process. Fortunately, contacting a Norfolk sex crimes lawyer can be a good step in the right direction for minimizing the amount of harm this type of charge has on your life.
Sex Charges in Norfolk
Sex crimes in Norfolk, as a Norfolk sex crimes lawyer can explain, are generally defined as performing a non-consensual sexual act. While most sex crimes almost always involve some sort of physical touching, some do not. For example, indecent exposure is considered a sex crime in Norfolk.
A common sexual offense is sexual abuse. Sexual abuse can mean, that with the intent to sexually molest, arouse, or gratify someone, you:
- intentionally make physical contact with the victim’s intimate areas;
- force the victim to touch your intimate areas or those of the victim’s, or another person’s;
- cause or assist a victim under the age of 13 to touch your intimate areas, the victim’s own, or another person’s intimate areas; or
- force someone else to touch the victim’s intimate areas (Virginia Code Section 18.2-67.10(6) ).
Sex crimes are either categorized as sexual offenses or sexually violent offenses. Some examples of sexually violent offenses are:
- Abducting an individual for an immoral purpose (Virginia Code Section 18.2-48)
- Rape (Virginia Code Section 18.2-61)
- Forcible sodomy (Virginia Code Section 18.2-67.1)
- Aggravated sexual battery (Virginia Code Section 18.2-67.3)
Potential Penalties for Virginia Sex Crimes
Sex crimes are unique in that they are sometimes accompanied by the additional penalty of being required to register with the Sex Offender Registry. While it may seem like simply a name on a list, this penalty comes with a social stigma, as well as potential restrictions on where you may live and work. For this reason, as well as the more tangible penalties listed below, you should consider working with a Norfolk sex crimes lawyer immediately after being charged with any sex crime.
The penalties for sexual offenses can vary greatly depending on the circumstances of the crime and the identity of the victim. For example, the penalties can be much worse if the victim suffers from some sort of mental incapacitation (Virginia Code Section 18.2-67.10).
If you are convicted of rape, you can be subject to five years to life in prison. You could also be facing additional penalties if the circumstances of the rape meet certain conditions.
If the victim is less than 13 years old, the individual is more than 3 years older than the victim, and the rape occurred as part of an abduction or other violent crime, then you could face 25 years to life in prison.
You could be facing a lifetime in prison if you are 18 years or older and you are convicted of raping a victim under the age of 13 (Virginia Code Section 18.2-61).
Benefits of Hiring a Norfolk Sex Crimes Lawyer
Being convicted of a Sex crime in Norfolk, Virginia opens you up to some very serious penalties. If you have been charged with a sex crime, you may want to contact a Norfolk sex crimes lawyer and explore all of the options in front of you.
Call our firm in order to receive your free initial consultation today.
