Summerville Sex Crimes Lawyer

When you are charged with a sex crime, your freedom and reputation are both at risk. Defending against these types of charges is incredibly important. It requires a great deal of skill, strategy, and work ethic to fight back against the allegations. Prosecutors tend to fight hard in these types of cases, so you need a defense attorney who fights back even harder.

If you are charged with a sex crime in Summerville, an experienced and local defense attorney can help your case. A seasoned Summerville sex crimes lawyer can best defend your case and protect your constitutional rights. Let our team help you build a strong defense.

Types of Sex Crimes

Under South Carolina law, there are many different sexual acts that are considered illegal. Many of these range from less severe to more severe, with some carrying incredibly serious penalties that may result in years in state prison.

These sex crimes include, but are not limited to:

• Criminal Sexual Conduct (rape) in the first, second, or third degree
• Assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct
• Prostitution
• Solicitation
• Criminal Sexual Conduct on a minor (statutory rape) in the first, second, or third degree
• Child pornography charges

Sex crimes can range in penalty from just a few years in jail to up to thirty years in prison. Many of these charges are felonies that will create a permanent criminal record that will follow a defendant for the rest of their lives. It is incredibly important that a defendant who faces sex crime allegations work with a knowledgeable sex crimes defense lawyer. Most sex crimes carry a requirement of being placed on the Sex Offender Registry, which in South Carolina is a public, life-long punishment with no opportunity to be taken off.

Defending a Sex Crimes Case

The methods of defending a sex crimes case will vary depending on the facts of the defendant’s unique case. However, some commonly available and sometimes successful defenses can protect the defendant’s rights. Certain defenses may result in a reduction of the charges, or may even result in a dismissal of the charges altogether. This depends entirely on the unique facts of the case, but every effort should be made by the defense attorney to protect the rights of the defendant.

Common defenses to sex crimes include, but are not limited to:

• Plead consent as affirmative defense
• Cross-examine state’s witnesses for inconsistencies
• Present reasonable doubt
• File a suppression motion
• Attack credibility of witnesses

How each defense is used in a case will vary depending on the defendant’s situation. A skilled Summerville sex crimes attorney knows how to utilize these defenses to their best potential.

Understanding Sex Offender Registration

Certain sex crimes require registration as a sex offender within the state. When registration is required, it mandates that a convicted defendant register with the police. To do this, the defendant provides their information to law enforcement and that information is placed on a nationwide database for the public to see. The public is then able to access much of the sex offender’s personal information, such as:

• Address
• Work location
• Conviction information
• A picture
• Other identifying information

In South Carolina, sex offender registration is lifelong. This will restrict where the defendant can live, work, or travel. There are reporting requirements and a need to update information any time it changes. Additionally, there are some sex crimes that require GPS tracking of the defendant for at least 10 years.

The best way to avoid having to register as a sex offender is to defend the case to avoid charges that carry registration requirements.

A Sex Crimes Attorney in Summerville Could Help Defend Your Case

Every sex crime allegation is serious and carries significant criminal penalties. Whether your charges range from misdemeanors to serious felonies it is crucial you fight back against your charges. You should not assume you are guilty just because you are charged with a sex crime.

If you face sex charges, a Summerville sex crimes lawyer is ready to help defend your case. It is very important for an attorney to start working on the case from the beginning. Contact us today.