A sex offense charge is among the most serious crimes. Not only is your freedom at stake, but so is your reputation and your ability to support a family. Given the gravity of the charges, this is a more important time than ever to have a legal advocate review your case and help you build a defense. You have rights, and you need a dedicated professional to look out for your interests.
Sex crimes can be either a misdemeanor or a felony. Various factors determine what the charge will be.
The team at Fortress Law Group will advise you on what to do next. We will give you an honest overview of what you face, but we will fight vigorously to help you get the best outcome.
In Ohio, as in other states in the country, the consequences of a sex crime conviction can be severe. Misdemeanor charges include public indecency or unlawful sex with a minor (depending on the minor’s age). Felony charges include:
At Fortress Law Group, we defend good people accused of bad things. Contact us today for a case evaluation to review your case and options.
As with other serious crimes, the penalties for sex crimes can vary depending on the age of the victim and whether the accused person has any prior offenses. First, if you are charged with a sex crime, you could face a negative stigma in the community in which you live. It will likely damage how people view and interact with you.
In Ohio, sex crimes come in three tiers. Tier I offenses are for minor sexual crimes. The more serious offenses are in Tier II and Tier III. A first-degree felony falls under Tier III. A conviction can carry several years of prison time. If you have additional counts, and if there were other circumstances surrounding your charge, you could face even more prison time. In addition, there are heavy fines for sex crimes. Plus, you will have to register as a sex offender, a requirement that could last for the rest of your life.
The sex offender registration requirement for Tier I convictions is to register once a year, for 15 years. In Tier II, the offender must register every 180 days, for 25 years. Tier III offenders must register every 90 days, for life.
Remember that everyone at trial is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Fortress Law Group will take the most effective, sensible approach to defending our clients. First, we will explore whether you had an alibi during the alleged incident or incidents. We will also consider whether any DNA evidence suggests that you are not guilty of the charges.
At Fortress Law Group, our legal team has a strong background in forensic evidence and molecular genetics. Forensic evidence can make a significant difference in your case, and this is a strength you want on your side.
In some sex crime charges, there may be other alleged perpetrators involved besides you, or perhaps someone else should have been charged instead of you. Schedule a case evaluation today, so we can help you determine the best options for your situation.
Extensive Experience – Established in 2009, our firm has represented thousands of clients in various kinds of criminal cases. Our criminal defense attorneys make sure each client is diligently represented and protected throughout the trial.
Professional and Reliable – We value the trust and confidence each client gives us. The criminal justice system is complex, but we are dedicated to guiding you throughout the process to ensure your rights are protected.
Comprehensive Criminal Defense – Our team of attorneys is knowledgeable and up to date with all the relevant case laws and procedural rules in court and will ensure all your bases are covered.
Flexible Consultation Times – Facing a criminal charge is a serious matter. You must communicate with a lawyer as soon as possible. That’s why our communication lines – online and via phone – are available for clients to reach out to us at any time.
If you are convicted of a sex crime, you may think that all hope is lost. However, at Fortress Law Group, we have many years of experience in appealing convictions and overturning them.
If you believe you have not been treated fairly or that your rights were violated, talk to us. We will thoroughly review the evidence for and against you. We understand the appeals process and whether you have a good chance of having your conviction overturned.
Our appeals strategies vary, but we will typically look at whether the judge should not have allowed certain evidence or witnesses in the case. A good outcome is for the judge to drop the charges or reduce the sentence.
With any charge, you have the right to legal counsel. If you face sex crimes charges, you need an experienced attorney on your side who understands the process and how the court proceedings will go. At Fortress Law Group, our founder’s background as a prosecutor further informs our knowledge and strategies for criminal defense cases.
A Willoughby sex offense attorney from the Fortress Law Group will help you build a case, gather and examine the evidence, and ensure that your rights are upheld.
You are at a big disadvantage if you do not have a qualified legal advocate on your side. Contact us today for a case evaluation so we can explore your defense options.
We defend good people accused of bad things.
A sex crimes attorney with our firm, Fortress Law Group, can review your case and its evidence to determine if you had an alibi when the offense occurred and if the DNA evidence demonstrates that you weren’t present. If the case alleges the involvement of other potential suspects, we can review the likelihood that a known cohort of the other suspects might have been involved.
Sex crimes fall under three tiers in Ohio. Tier I is primarily for minor sex crimes, while Tiers II and III are for more serious offenses. Whichever tier a conviction falls under dictates when and how often a sex crimes convict will have to update their sex offender registration.
Common misdemeanor sex crimes include:
Common felony sex crimes include:
You may have your Ohio criminal defense attorney file an appeal after a conviction for a sex offense. If you feel that your defense attorney failed to represent you well in your case, contact us to have experienced sex crimes attorney Matthew C. Bangerter manage your appeal.
Be aware that you only have 30 days to file an appeal or an extension for an appeal to the court.
If you need a sex offenses attorney to represent you in Northeast Ohio, turn to our experienced team at Fortress Law Group, led by Attorney Matthew C. Bangerter. Since 2009, we’ve represented many people accused of sex offenses. Our strategy is to assess forensic evidence, look for witnesses, and secure an alibi to disprove the prosecution’s accusations. Call our offices in Cleveland Metro at (440) 340-1740 to schedule a case review.
At Fortress Law Group, we want to provide you with a clear understanding of the criminal charges you may be facing and their implications for your future. We maintain a collection of resources to educate and prepare you for effective coordination with your legal team.
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