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While a conviction for any type of crime can change your life in a big way, a sex crime can be especially damaging. No other type of crime injures a person’s reputation as significantly as a sex crime so speak with a qualified Chandler sex crimes attorney as soon as possible following charges.
At AZ Defenders, we know how frightening it can be to face allegations for a sex crime. Our sex crimes lawyers are committed to defending the accused and getting to the bottom of each case. Find out how we can help you. Call (480) 456-6400 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation.
If you have been accused of a sex crime in Chandler, you need to contact a defense attorney right away. A lawyer can protect you from the very beginning – immediately after your arrest. Your lawyer can be present with you during interrogations with a police officer, for example, to advise you on what to say and what not to say. This can help prevent self-incrimination, accidental admissions and coerced confessions. Waiting too long to consult a lawyer, on the other hand, could help the prosecutors build a sex crimes case against you.
Your lawyer can attend the arraignment hearing (the first hearing) with you and counsel you on how to plead: guilty, not guilty or no contest. This can determine the rest of your legal process. Your attorney can help you take an aggressive stance in your defense early on to optimize the chances of achieving a positive case outcome. If it is not possible to have the charges against you dismissed, your lawyer will customize the best possible legal strategy moving forward. This may be a plea deal for reduced penalties or pleading not guilty and arguing your case in court.
A sex crime describes any nonconsensual, forced or coerced sexual activity with another person. It can also refer to consensual sexual acts between an adult and a minor or two people in a protected relationship, such as a therapist and client. Arizona law lists many different types of sex crimes.
If you are facing any type of sex crime allegation, protect yourself immediately by speaking to a Chandler criminal defense attorney. You have a lot on the line as a sex crime defendant in Chandler, AZ.
Arizona penalizes sex crimes intensely. The penalties for a criminal conviction can vary widely according to the type and severity of the crime allegedly committed. If convicted of a sex crime in Arizona, you could face consequences such as imprisonment for months, years or life; a prison sentence without the chance of parole; expensive fines; mandatory treatment; and lifelong registry on the Sex Offender List.
Being put on the Sex Offender List in Arizona means your name will be on a publicly available list for the rest of your life. If you are put on the list as a Level 3 sex offender (the most severe type), the community where you live will also be notified. If you move, you will be legally required to notify the local police department where you will be moving. Being on the list can affect where you can live, your reputation, personal relationships and job opportunities.
One example of a potential penalty is up to 15 years imprisonment for a first-offense federal child pornography charge. This is the punishment under the Child Pornography Prevention Act of 1996. Under this law, anyone who knowingly receives or distributes child pornography via the internet or other means faces 15 years in prison as a first-time offender. The state of Arizona also has some of the toughest sex offense sentencing laws in the country; for example, the presumptive term for sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 15 is 20 years in prison.
It is possible to defend against sex crime charges in Arizona. An attorney will carefully analyze your case to identify the best defense tactics for your situation. Your lawyer will use information such as the evidence the prosecution has against you, your criminal history and the circumstances of the accusation to protect you as much as possible
Examples of possible defenses include:
Do not lose hope as someone accused of a sex crime in Chandler, Arizona. The right Chandler sex crimes attorney can protect your rights and save you from the most severe penalties for the charges you face. Your lawyer can customize an aggressive and creative legal strategy according to the specifics of your case for the best possible outcome. The severity of a potential criminal sentence if you are convicted of a sexual offense in Arizona makes it critical to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to represent you. Your lawyer will use smart legal strategies to minimize the penalties that you face as much as possible.
If you get accused of or arrested for an alleged sex crime in Chandler, there are steps that you need to take right away to protect yourself. Do not admit to having committed the crime. Use your right to remain silent and do not answer any questions about the incident until you have a defense attorney present. Do not attempt to speak to or contact the alleged victim.
After your arrest and booking, you will be given one phone call. Know that the police can listen in on this phone call unless it is to a defense lawyer. Use your call to either tell a family member to contact an attorney for you or to call AZ Defenders directly at (480) 908-9321. We can attend interrogations with you and help you with your case from there.
After you are arrested for an alleged sex crime, formal charges must be filed against you within 48 hours. The police cannot hold you longer than this without you being charged. If charges for a sex crime are filed, your attorney may attempt to negotiate a plea bargain, depending on the facts of your case. A plea bargain will prevent the case from going to trial and may result in a reduced penalty and lighter sentence. Otherwise, you will plead not guilty and your case will go to trial (after preliminary hearings).
A criminal trial will begin with both sides of the case giving opening statements. Then, the prosecution and defense will have the chance to present evidence and witnesses to argue each side of the case. The prosecution has the burden of proof to establish that you committed the crime being alleged beyond a reasonable doubt. Your defense lawyer will work to show a jury that the prosecutor has not met the burden of proof.
Different states have different statutes of limitations on criminal cases, or legal deadlines for bringing official charges against a suspect. In Arizona, the government has seven years from the time that they identify a suspect to press charges. However, the police can identify a suspect at any time, with no statute of limitations. There are no statutes of limitations on violent sexual assault charges, including assault involving a child under 15 and rape.
If you have been accused of a sex crime in Chandler, you need to consult with one of our experienced Arizona criminal defense lawyers as soon as possible. Do not wait to be arrested; contact us right away so that we can help you from the earliest stages of your case. An attorney from AZ Defenders can benefit you by:
You do not have to face charges as serious as an alleged sex crime alone. Hiring one of our attorneys from the very beginning of your case is the best way to protect your rights and deal with a potentially life-changing charge. Our lawyers will work with you every step of the way to make sure you have what you need during this difficult time. We are aggressive and dedicated sex crime defense attorneys.
At AZ Defenders, we know criminal defense strategies are not one-size-fits-all. We take the time to dig deep and find the perfect defense strategy for each unique client, case and circumstance. Our team of experienced and compassionate defense lawyers go the extra mile for their clients; especially clients who are facing life-changing charges such as sex crimes. Consult with a top Chandler sex crimes attorney at our law firm today during a free, 100% confidential consultation in Chandler, AZ. Call our local law office at (480) 456-6400 or contact us online.