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If your time as a student or professor at a college in Phoenix resulted in sexual assault allegations against you, it is critical to contact a criminal defense lawyer at AZ Defenders as soon as possible for legal representation. Our lawyers will help you understand and defend your rights and protect your future through every phase of the criminal justice process.
We understand what is at stake and the stigma associated with sex offenses. Our Phoenix college campus sexual assault lawyers will ensure that you get a fair chance to defend yourself against serious accusations. We know how to develop compelling criminal defenses and have had success defending even the most difficult sex crime cases. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case.
How the AZ Defenders Can Help
Defining Sexual Assault Under Arizona Laws
Potential Penalties for College Crimes in Arizona
Why Do You Need a Lawyer?
Types of College Sex Crime Cases the AZ Defenders Handle
How Are College Crimes Addressed by the Police?
What Defenses May Be Raised for a College Crime?
What Happens if I’m Convicted as a Sex Offender in Arizona?
Steps to Take if You’re Wrongfully Accused of College Campus Sexual Assault
What to Look for in a Defense Lawyer
Speak to an Attorney Today
The state’s definition of sexual assault can be found in Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Section 13-1406. This law states that “a person commits sexual assault by intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact” without the victim’s consent. Under this law, the crime of rape falls under the definition of sexual assault, as do other forms of sexual violence. Sexual assault is a class 2 felony in Arizona.
The crime of sexual abuse is often interchanged with sexual assault and vice versa. However, these two crimes have different definitions in Arizona. Under ARS § 13-1404, a person commits the crime of sexual abuse by intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual contact of any kind with a person who is at least 15 years old without the consent of that person. It is also sexual abuse to touch the breast of a female who is under the age of 15 years old.
Sexual abuse can refer to any nonconsensual sexual contact, including touching of the private parts, groping or fondling, kissing, penetration, forced oral copulation, sodomy, rape, and statutory rape. ARS § 13-1404 goes on to say that it is not a usable defense to state that the defendant was 15, 16 or 17 years of age if the defendant was in a position of trust. Sexual abuse in Arizona is a class 5 felony, increased to a class 3 felony if the victim is under 15 years of age.
It is extremely important to take college campus sexual assault allegations against you seriously. This crime goes well beyond potential ramifications at the college level, such as being expelled from Arizona State University and having a black mark on your academic record. There are real-world consequences associated with sexual assault convictions – penalties that could change your life forever.
The consequences surrounding a sexual assault conviction depend on the exact charge and circumstances of the case. They could include:
Aggravating circumstances will increase the sentence chosen for someone convicted of campus sexual assault in Arizona. For example, if the assault involved the administration of drugs or intoxicants to the victim, such as a date-rape drug, the sentence is automatically increased by three years. Crimes involving children under the age of 15 are class 2 felonies, punishable with 3 to 12.5 years in prison. If the assault resulted in serious physical injury to the victim, the defendant could face life imprisonment.
This list of potential penalties does not include those arranged by your specific college in Phoenix, which can include a meeting with the interdisciplinary committee, academic probation, exclusion from clubs and sports, and the loss of scholarships – if you are not expelled for the conviction. A defense attorney is critical for protecting you from the worst possible penalties associated with campus sexual assault criminal charges.
Your life could change in major ways if you are convicted of a sex crime at your college institution. The best way to protect yourself during this frightening time in your life is by hiring an exceptional criminal defense lawyer. A lawyer can help you create a strong and aggressive defense strategy against grave criminal charges. Your lawyer will know exactly how to navigate Arizona’s criminal laws and the justice system to your advantage. Throughout your case, your lawyer will give you personalized legal advice to help you protect yourself, your rights and your future.
It is important to find a criminal defense lawyer with experience handling your type of case. This will give your lawyer more extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in your practice area. At AZ Defenders, our lawyers have the ability to defend our clients against virtually any type of alleged sex crime, including:
A variety of sex crimes fall under these statutes, including cyberstalking, internet sex crimes, hazing sexual assault, sex crimes involving minors, drug-induced rape (“date rape”), collegiate sports sexual assault, revenge porn, prostitution, exhibitionism and spousal rape. Anyone at a Phoenix college could face charges and serious penalties for these sex crimes, including professors, teacher’s aides, coaches, administrators, janitors and fellow students.
In our years of experience defending clients from sex crime charges in Arizona, we have dealt with almost every type of case imaginable. We are not intimidated by even the most severe college campus sexual assault allegations at Northern Arizona University or Arizona State University. No matter what type of charge you are facing, we can help as your defense attorneys. We will do whatever we can to protect you from the most severe penalties associated with the charge(s) against you.
Being in college does not give you a free pass in the eyes of the criminal justice system. It does not mean that the case will only be under the jurisdiction of the college. When the police are informed about an alleged sexual assault or another sex crime committed on campus at a Phoenix college, they will act as they would when called to apprehend any other suspect. This means you will most likely get arrested.
You will be taken into police custody, fingerprinted and your mugshots will be taken. You may then be held on bail or released while you await your first court hearing, known as the arraignment. It is important to contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if you get arrested for sexual assault on a college campus. Your lawyer can help you with the early stages of your case, such as which plea to enter at your arraignment.
If you are accused of sexual assault or another crime while in college, a criminal defense lawyer in Phoenix will carefully analyze your situation to create the strongest possible argument in your defense. This could allow you to escape the charges with case dismissal or acquittal, or reduce the charges and/or penalties that you face. The defense available to you will depend on the circumstances. It may involve:
At AZ Defenders, we don’t take college criminal charges lightly. We will treat your case with the same respect and attention as any other criminal case, putting in the work that is necessary to craft a solid defense on your behalf. This can mean launching an investigation to find out what happened, discovering what evidence the prosecution has against you, poking holes in the prosecutor’s case and hiring experts to strengthen your defense.
If you get convicted of sexual assault or another crime that marks you as a sex offender, the courts will require you to put your name on a list that is made available to the public. This means anyone will be able to find your name on the list of convicted sex offenders – colleges, potential employers, landlords, neighbors and the general public.
Being on the sex offender list will also require you to register where you live and your whereabouts. You will have restrictions regarding where you can live and what types of jobs you can have. Finally, as someone with a felony conviction on your record, you will lose certain rights and freedoms, including the right to vote and bear arms.
If you’ve been wrongfully accused of sexual assault at a college campus in Arizona, take it seriously. Take the following steps to minimize the repercussions after this type of accusation:
Once you’ve contacted an attorney, he or she can help you take other steps to deal with the legal process ahead. Your lawyer will help you avoid the consequences that can stem from a false accusation.
When searching for the right criminal defense lawyer to hire for your Phoenix college campus sexual assault case, look for someone with years of experience defending clients. You want an advocate who has a deep and thorough understanding of the criminal court system in Maricopa County – and the specific charges you are facing – to provide reliable representation.
You should also look for good communication skills so that you can remain in frequent contact with your attorney throughout your case. Aggressiveness is important in your defense lawyer, as your future is on the line. Finally, you should choose a compassionate and understanding attorney who cares about your future.
Sexual assault accusations can be brought against you in many circumstances, such as by someone you were romantically involved with or hazing that went too far. A permanent criminal record is a high price to pay for a single mistake. At AZ Defenders, we know that people sometimes make bad decisions – especially in college. We also passionately defend those who have been wrongfully accused of sexual assault. No matter what the circumstances are, we will work relentlessly to protect you from criminal consequences as your attorneys.
It is especially difficult to face criminal charges as serious as an alleged sex offense at the start of your adulthood. As a student attending a Phoenix college, you have your whole life ahead of you. Protect your future by hiring a highly experienced and aggressive criminal defense lawyer at AZ Defenders. Before you talk to anyone else about your case, consult with our criminal defense team about the sexual assault charges being brought against you. Call (480) 456-6400 or contact us online 24/7 to schedule a free case consultation.