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Perhaps what you thought was consensual sex is now being called sexual assault or rape. Perhaps the alleged victim has a reason to cover up what really happened. Perhaps the victim is a minor who cannot legally give consent.
Rape, sexual assault and sexual battery are serious sex crimes. These charges can lead to prison time and years of registering as a sexual offender. You need legal counsel immediately.
The experienced criminal defense attorneys of Greg S. Law, provide aggressive representation for rape and related charges in the Salt Lake City area and statewide Utah. We know how to handle these sensitive cases to challenge the allegations while protecting the privacy of all involved. Contact us to consult with a Utah sexual assault defense lawyer.
Utah Rape and Sexual Assault Offenses
When sexual contact is charged as a crime, it can range from a class B misdemeanor all the way to a first-degree felony, depending on the age of the victim and the circumstances. Often a person may be charged with several different offenses and multiple counts.
Rape refers to non-consensual intercourse, sodomy or oral sex, using force or coercion, or taking advantage of a person who is unable to give consent because of intoxication, mental capacity or legal age. Sexual assault refers to non-consensual touching of breasts or genitals. Sexual battery refers to groping and other unwanted sexual touching over clothing.
The actual charges may vary when the victim is underage: rape of a child age 13 or under, unlawful sexual activity with a minor (age 14 or 15) involving intercourse or penetration, sexual abuse of a minor (age 14 or 15) involving other sexual touching, or any unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year-old by a person who is at least 10 years older than the victim. If you are convicted of sexually assaulting or even having “consensual” sex with a minor or child, the penalties can include many years to life in prison and lifetime sex offender registration.
Raising Reasonable Doubt
In the vast majority of sexual assault and battery cases, the victim and the accused know each other and have a dating or casual relationship. Thus the crux of the case is often whether the acts were consensual or nonconsensual. With your freedom, your reputation and the label of sexual predator or sex offender on the line, we will exhaust every possible defense:
Was there flirting or sexual innuendo? There some consensual sexual activity? Was there a clear “no” at any point? Was alcohol involved? How long after the fact was the alleged rape or battery reported? Is there DNA evidence? Was a condom used? Is there a motivation to deny consensual acts, such as the victim’s husband, boyfriend or disapproving parent?
Contact Us To Access Strong Legal Defense Against Rape Charges
We realize what is at stake, and make every effort to get unfounded charges dropped. Negotiating to a lesser offense would still involve sex offender registry in most cases, which means it is often necessary to go to trial. Our proven trial lawyers are fully prepared to do so.
Call Greg S. Law, PLLC, at 801-261-6228 local or 801-261-6228 toll free.
For a free consultation with one of our Salt Lake City rape defense attorneys, call either of the two numbers listed above or contact us with a brief e-mail message. We offer a free initial consultation, and we accept major credit cards.