Our office receives phone calls nearly every day from young men or their parents seeking representation against false allegations. We also receive calls from women who have been accused. One of the first things most clients report is that they were in a consensual relationship.
How is it that young men and women in consensual relationships are so frequently accused of a a sex crime? What is at stake when it happens? What steps can I take to defend myself if I’m accused of a sex crime by someone with whom I have been in a consensual relationship?
Chapter 2907 of the Ohio Revised Code defines and addresses a variety of sex crimes. This article will explain why being accused of any of them is nothing to take lightly and what to do if someone has made such an accusation.
Common Sex Offense Charges
- Rape (F1)
- Sexual Battery (F3 or F2)
- Gross Sexual Imposition (F4 or F3)
- Importuning (F3 or F2)
- Voyeurism (M1, M2, M3, or M5)
- Pandering Obscenity (F5 or F4)
- Pandering Sexually Oriented Material (F3 or F4)
A conviction for any of these offenses can result in a lengthy prison sentence and having to register as a sex offender. The implications of being on the sex offender registry are far-reaching and can last the rest of your life.
Why Would They Accuse Me?
Although it may be difficult, young people in a relationship should communicate clearly about their expectations for intimacy, and they should do so with a clear mind and body. Even with good communication, there are a number of reasons why sexual assault accusations are made. Revenge, remorse or regret, leverage, jealously, and mental illness are some of the reasons a person may make a sexual assault allegation. When a relationship goes south, photos or text messages that are stored on cell phones indefinitely may be used against the accused. While many cases have similar motives, no two cases are exactly the same.
How Do I Convince Others I Didn’t Do It?
Being considered a sex offender will wreak havoc on the life of the accused. Family and friends may bombard the accused with questions, cease to interact with them at all, or worse. The accused should not engage in conversations about the events of the accusation and should not speak with police. The best course of action is to seek the immediate advice of an Ohio sex crime defense attorney. If an attorney is secured in the beginning stages of the investigation, it is possible to avoid some of the social fallout.
How Can an Attorney Help?
An experienced sex crimes defense attorney can intervene to help maintain important relationships and launch their own investigation. They can present information about your relationship history and may be able to use collected information to dissuade law enforcement officers from ever filing charges.
If charges are filed, an experienced attorney can help work out communication with authorities, terms of surrender, bail, and greatly improve the accused’s access to resources while navigating the legal processes.Every US citizen who is suspected or accused of a crime has the right to representation. The purpose is to ensure fairness for the accused whether they are guilty or innocent. Experienced legal representation can help ensure that each of the many steps in the criminal proceedings are appropriately followed and provide the best opportunity for a fair and just outcome.
Written by The Law Office of Brian Jones, LLC
- Dr. Benjamin Jackoby
- Dr. Hank Jackoby