Being wrongfully charged with a sex crime can impact your life in many ways. Aside from the social stigma that comes with a sex crime charge or conviction, there’s also the real possibility that you’ll face major repercussions if you don’t hire a lawyer to navigate the delicate situation. Jail time and the possibility of being forced to register on a Predatory Offenders list can affect you for the rest of your life, so it’s essential that you connect with a lawyer to figure out the best path forward for your case.
Minnesota Sex Crimes Lawyer
Sex crimes often have a real stigma attached to them. Police, prosecutors and judges may automatically assume you are guilty given the sensitive nature of the topic, which is dangerous because the penalties for these types of crimes are oftentimes quite severe. You should never leave things to chance when facing criminal charges, but that’s especially true when dealing with a sex crime.
We understand the ins and outs of the criminal system and are familiar with handling these high stakes sex crime charges. We’ve helped clients navigate these tricky situations in the past, and we can do the same for you.
“Avery did an exceptional job helping my son navigate through a difficult situation. The knowledge, and experience he brings, his pragmatic, nonjudgmental demeanor and his perseverance provided hope and ultimately, the best possible outcome. He works with his heart and his intellect, and in tough times it’s sure nice to have both. He’s a true professional that is great to have on your team!”
Common Sex Crimes In Minnesota
There are a variety of sex crimes on the books in Minnesota, but some of the most common include:
- Child Pornography
- Sexual Assault
- Statutory Rape
- Date Rape
- Indecent Exposure
- Sexual Harassment
- Sex Offender Registration
- Prostitution
- Sex Trafficking
- Child Molestation
- Internet and Computer Sex Crimes
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be charged with criminal sexual conduct for your alleged crime. In Minnesota, there are five degrees of criminal sexual conduct that a person can be charged with, ranging from a gross misdemeanor for inappropriate touching or groping to serious felony-level charges with severe mandatory minimum sentences. You can learn more about the five degrees of criminal sexual conduct on this page we created.
Sex Crimes – Penalties And Defenses
Needless to say, criminal sexual conduct convictions carry some of the most serious penalties outside of homicide in the state of Minnesota. Even the lowest degree of criminal sexual conduct can lead to seven years in prison if you have prior offenses, so know that defense isn’t something you should just wing.
If it does come down to a he-said, she-said argument, you need a professional in your corner who can construct a valid narrative for your defense. Whether that means effectively conveying your message or poking holes in unreliable testimony from the other side, we know how to build a defense and react appropriately in real time as the case unfolds. You need that experience in your corner.
All defenses will be based on what’s best for your unique case, but some common defenses put forth in sexual assault and criminal sexual conduct cases include:
- Consensual Contact – Perhaps the most common defense is that you admit that the sexual contact occurred, but you contend that the action was consensual.
- Assault Never Occurred – We have seen cases where an ex or a former lover falsely accused their former partner of sexual assault as a way to seek revenge for a real or perceived slight.
- Mistake of Fact– If you believe that the victim or police have honed in on the wrong individual responsible for the assault, you and your lawyer may argue that a mistake of fact has led to charges against the wrong person.
- Improper Evidence Collection – If police violated a search order while collecting evidence in your case, it may be enough to get the charges thrown out.
Twin Cities Sex Crimes Lawyer
There are some criminal charges where you can navigate the court system on your own, but a sex crime charge is not one of those. The stakes are simply too high to leave things to chance. We know that things can feel overwhelming and scary, but take a breath, reach out to Appelman Law Firm and let us help you avoid a worst case scenario. For more information, or to set up a free strategy session with a lawyer, give our team a call today at (952) 224-2277.
