Richmond Sex Crimes Lawyers

Providing a Vigorous Defense for Clients Accused of Sex Offenses

Being accused of a sex crime can be life-changing. The charges alone can jeopardize your reputation even if you’re ultimately cleared of wrongdoing at the end of your case. Of course, the consequences of being convicted are far worse, since your punishment could include prison time and the requirement to add your name to the sex offender registry. This is why you should not face your sex crime charges alone. You need a highly skilled Richmond sex crimes attorney fighting for you throughout your defense case.

At Jurach, Tacey & Quitiquit, PLC, our criminal defense attorneys have defended numerous clients from serious accusations. We know the damage a sex crime conviction can result in for the accused, so we work hard to get the best possible result on every case we take on. If you’re concerned about your future as you face felony charges, call our Richmond, Virginia law firm to discuss your case with an experienced sex crimes lawyer.

What Are Sex Crimes in Virginia?

In this state, you can be accused of a sex crime if someone claims you performed a sexual act with them without their consent. In some cases, the alleged victim cannot legally give consent, such as if they’re impaired by drugs or alcohol, have a mental or physical disability, or are under the age of 16.

Note that you can be charged with certain sex crimes even without physical contact, as is the case for indecent exposure and internet sex crimes. Fortunately, a skilled Richmond sex crimes lawyer can provide a suitable defense strategy regardless of the sexual acts you’ve been accused of. Some of the most common sex crimes Virginia attorneys defend clients from include:

Date rape
Statutory rape
Marital rape
Forcible sodomy
Sexual battery
Child sexual abuse
Sexual assault
Aggravated sexual battery
Infected sexual battery
Crimes against nature
Attempted sex crimes
Forcible fondling
Internet sex crimes
Prostitution
Indecent exposure
Incest
Object sexual penetration
Child pornography
Taking indecent liberties with a child
Carnal knowledge of minors

If you were accused of committing any of these or similar sex crimes, you need to contact an experienced Richmond sex crimes attorney for legal advice. You deserve the chance to tell your side of the story rather than immediately pleading guilty to a sex crime, since the consequences of conviction could include years in prison and difficulty getting a job after you’ve served your time. If you want to discuss your legal options with a compassionate Richmond sex crimes lawyer ready to defend you, contact our trusted Virginia law firm for a free initial consultation.

What Penalties Will You Get If Proven Guilty of a Sex Crime?

Sex crimes can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, so the penalties range from monetary fines to decades in prison. The punishment you get for a conviction will depend on whether the crime is considered violent, since violent offenses are charged as felonies that result in prison time. Other factors include the age and vulnerability of the victim, as being convicted of sex crimes against minors and those with disabilities can lead to very harsh penalties.

Your criminal history also plays a role in the punishment you get. A first offense will involve the minimum penalties, while a second or third offense will usually result in the maximum fines and jail time for the sexual act. Trusted Richmond sexual abuse attorneys will let you know what penalties you face based on these factors so you know what to expect from the legal process.
Some examples of penalties for different types of sex crimes in Virginia include:

Sexual battery: Class 1 misdemeanor punished by up to 12 months in prison and fines of up to $2,500.
Aggravated sexual battery: Class 6 felony punished by one to 20 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines
Sexual abuse of a child under 15: Class 1 misdemeanor punished by up to one year in jail and fines up to $2,500
Date rape: Class 4 felony punished by five years to life in prison and up to $100,000 in fines
Carnal knowledge of a minor between ages 13 and 15: Class 4 felony punished by two to ten years in prison and fines up to $100,000
Carnal knowledge of certain minors: Class 6 felony punished by one to five years in prison and up to $2,500 in fines
Third conviction of a sex crime misdemeanor: Class 6 felony punished by one to five years in prison and fines up to $2,500

Whether you face jail time, fines, or other consequences for your sex crime charges, it’s critical that you talk to an experienced sex crimes lawyer in Richmond for help protecting your freedom and reputation. You’re entitled to have a fair trial that allows you to refute serious allegations, during which you will want a Richmond attorney present to vigorously defend you throughout your case. Contact us today for legal assistance from a trusted Virginia sex crimes lawyer.

Will You Have to Register as a Sex Offender If Convicted?

One of the worst aspects of being convicted of a sex crime is the possibility that your name will be added to the Virginia sex offender registry. This is a public list that anyone can look up to see your name, picture, address, and the nature of your conviction. This means that your friends, family, neighbors, and potential employers will be able to easily see that you’re a registered sex offender in Virginia.

Not all sex crimes require you to add your name to this registry, but many do, including violent sexual acts and crimes against minors. In particular, being convicted of one or more of the following sex crimes will require you to register:

Rape
Forcible sodomy
Object sexual penetration
Sexual battery of a victim under age 6
Taking indecent liberties with a minor
Sex trafficking of a minor
Carnal knowledge of certain minors
Carnal knowledge of a child between 13 and 15
Breaking and entering with intent to commit rape

These are only some of the sex offenses that would require you to register. Your attorney will let you know if your crime would lead to the same punishment after a conviction. If it would, and you’re worried about the impact this would have on your life, you need criminal defense help from a skilled Richmond sex crimes lawyer. The right attorney for your case will fight to get your charges dismissed or reduced to avoid severe penalties. Call our Richmond, VA law firm today to learn more about how a skilled lawyer can assist you.

How Can Richmond Sex Crimes Lawyers Help You?

When you’re accused of sexual abuse, assault, or other sex crimes in Virginia, it’s difficult to think clearly about the steps to take to protect yourself during your case. This is why you should leave the legal details to a Richmond sex crimes lawyer who can use their knowledge of the law to come to your defense.

Even if you think there’s too much evidence against you, it’s important to talk to a lawyer about your case to determine if there’s a defense angle you didn’t consider. Some defense options for sex crime charges might include:

The victim consented
The victim misidentified you
The accusations are false
You have an alibi or witnesses to prove your innocence
The police violated your constitutional rights
There is a lack of solid evidence against you

An experienced lawyer can review the details of your case to decide which angle is likely to have the best possible result based on the evidence. This requires them to collect lab results, witness statements, video surveillance footage, medical records, police reports, and pictures. They’ll also stay informed on the details of the legal process, including court deadlines, legal forms that must be filed, and statutes of limitations.

If you don’t know where to begin when it comes to defending yourself from serious accusations, that’s okay. You can count on a skilled lawyer in Richmond to do the work for you, whether that means attempting to get your charges dropped, negotiating a plea deal, or arguing on your behalf during trial. Regardless of the details of your situation, you deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing your criminal defense case is in good hands.

If you’re ready to get your questions answered at the start of your case, contact Jurach, Tacey & Quitiquit, PLC. Our lawyers used to be prosecutors, giving them the unique insight they need to defend clients. When you call our Richmond, Virginia law office to discuss your legal needs, you’ll speak with a trusted defense attorney who has won numerous sexual abuse cases for clients. Call 804-531-5524 for a free initial consultation.