Federal, state and local prosecutors expend a significant amount of resources investigating and prosecuting individuals who commit sex crimes. The Pennsylvania criminal statutes covering sexual offenses address a wide range of behavior, from indecent exposure to rape.
Police and prosecutors often file sex offense charges based solely on the accuser’s word and without thoroughly investigating the allegations. Unfortunately, a person can be charged with a sex crime based entirely on a false accusation. In some cases, the false accusations are made out of revenge or a desire for financial gain, or to gain leverage in a child custody matter.
Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction
A sex crime conviction can result in devastating life-long consequences, both personally and professionally. An individual convicted of a sex crime often faces a lengthy prison sentence, loss of employment, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. Under Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law, an individual convicted of an enumerated sex offense in Pennsylvania will be subject to a 15 year, 25 year or lifetime sex offender registration. In addition, any individual determined by the court to be a “sexually violent predator” shall be subject to a lifetime sex offender registration even if a conviction for the offense carries a lower registration requirement. Therefore, it is important to have a knowledgeable and dedicated criminal defense attorney on your side if you are charged with a sexual offense.
Bucks County Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer
I have over a decade of experience providing skilled and aggressive representation to individuals facing charges for sexual offenses in Bucks County, Montgomery County and the surrounding counties. Contact me at (215) 752-5282 for a free initial consultation or fill out the confidential contact form for an immediate response. Appointments are available after business hours and on weekends.
Evidence used in a Sex Crime Case
The quantity and quality of evidence in a sex offense case varies greatly. In some cases, forensic evidence – such as blood, DNA, hair, fingerprints and fibers – may be recovered. In some cases, forensic evidence – such as blood, DNA, semen, fingerprints, hair and fibers – may be recovered from the crime scene. Certain sex offense cases are referred to as “testimonial” cases. In a testimonial sex offense case, the primary evidence in the case comes from the accuser’s statements and testimony regarding the alleged crime. I am highly experienced in evaluating the strength or weakness of the various types of evidence used in a sex crime prosecution.
Categories of PA Sex Offenses
I have extensive trial experience defending individuals charged with a wide range of sex offenses, including:
- Rape
- Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse
- Statutory sexual assault
- Sexual assault
- Aggravated indecent assault
- Sexting
- Indecent assault
- Indecent exposure
- Open lewdness
- Prostitution
- Failure to register (SORNA, Megan’s Law)
Pennsylvania Sex Crime Defense
At the outset of the case, I will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances of the allegation to develop the most effective defense strategy. In their attempt to establish the accused’s guilt, most sex crime prosecutors rely on the testimony of police officers, medical personnel, sex assault nurse examiners (SANE nurse), DNA specialists and other forensic experts. The accuracy and credibility of the opinions and conclusions of the prosecutor’s experts can often be successfully challenged in court.
Sex Offense Defense Investigation
The majority of serious sex offense cases will require the use of an independent defense investigator. An impartial defense investigator often uncovers evidence that the police overlook. My professional network includes a number of highly skilled defense investigators who have assisted me in the successful defense of sex offense cases in the past. It is important to begin conducting the independent defense investigation of the case as soon as you are under investigation or under arrest for a sex offense.
The Role of a Defense Investigator in a Sex Offense Case
Depending on the facts of the case, a defense investigator may be used to locate, interview and subpoena witnesses who are able to provide testimony and other evidence favorable to the defense. An investigator may also be used to obtain phone records, medical records, surveillance video, social media postings and other evidence demonstrating that the accused has been falsely accused of a crime.
Defense Experts in a Sex Offense Case
In many cases, I have used highly experienced forensic experts in the fields of police practices and procedures, toxicology, DNA, digital forensics, medical treatment and sexual assault nurse examination (SANE) protocols to rebut the evidence presented by the prosecutor at trial. The defense forensic experts are often able to directly refute the opinions and conclusions offered by the prosecutions experts during the trial.
Common Defenses in a Sex Offense Case
Some of the most common defenses used in sex offense cases include:
- Consent
- Involuntary intoxication
- Mistake of age
- Misidentification of the accused
- Alibi
- Exoneration through DNA evidence
- Incompetent and unreliable investigation by the police
Start with a Strong Defense
If you have been charged with a sex offense in Bucks County, Montgomery County or the surrounding counties, it is critical that you act quickly to protect your rights and build the strongest possible defense against the charges. Phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day at (215) 752-5282. Contact me for a free initial consultation or fill out the confidential contact form for an immediate response.
