Sex crimes are among the most serious offenses prosecuted in Brunswick County. The consequences of a conviction or even an accusation could have lifelong implications. It is wise for anyone accused of a sex crime to consult a knowledgeable Brunswick County sex crimes lawyer as soon as feasible.
A seasoned criminal defense attorney with experience handling sex offenses could provide advice as to how to proceed to minimize the negative impact, and how to avoid taking actions or making statements that could jeopardize your case. An experienced attorney could serve as your advocate and counselor throughout the process to help you reach a positive outcome.
The Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Act requires those convicted of violent sex crimes to comply with certain registration and review requirements. These requirements apply to anyone convicted after 1994, including many juvenile offenders. Registration requirements also apply to those found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Not every sex crime triggers the registration requirements, but many do, even if they were committed in another jurisdiction. Va. Code Ann. §9.1-902 specifies the offenses which require registration. These may include:
As part of the sex offender registry requirements, those convicted of one of the qualifying offenses need to register personal information with local law enforcement to enable police to conduct check-ups every six months at a minimum. Police may also visit the workplace of a registered offender. Registration requirements must be fulfilled within three days of release from imprisonment, or three days from the disposition of the case if there is no imprisonment.
Much of the information will be made available to the public. If the offense involved was not violent individuals may seek to have their names removed from the registry after a substantial period of time has passed. This could include offenses involving child pornography Violent offenders may not have their names removed. Individuals facing sex crime allegations are recommended to speak with a Brunswick County sex crime lawyer to begin building a defense. A dedicated lawyer could champion a defendant’s case.
Many of the statutes describing prohibited conduct and penalties for sex crimes are located in Chapter 4 of the Virginia code, “Crimes Against the Person,” under Article 7 “Criminal Sexual Assault.” These statutes define rape, statutory rape (which goes under various names such as carnal knowledge of a minor), sexual battery, sexual abuse, sexual assault, and other offenses.
Other sex crimes are defined in Article 3 and Article 5 of Chapter 8, “Crimes Involving Morals and Decency.” Offenses in this chapter include prostitution, fornication, possession of child pornography and commercial sex trafficking. The penalties for many sex crimes may vary by the age of the individuals involved and other circumstances. A sex crimes attorney in Brunswick County could go into detail about how sex crimes laws affect their criminal case.
Most sex crimes in Brunswick County could be prosecuted as felonies. Sex crimes cases classified as misdemeanors are also of a serious nature. The penalties may include lengthy terms of imprisonment and heavy fines, and the other consequences of conviction of a sex crime. This could include registry requirements, social stigma, and a criminal record that may cause complications with employment, housing and other aspects of life.
A knowledgeable Brunswick County sex crimes lawyer may be able to help. When you work with an experienced criminal defense attorney, your legal advocate could begin right away to collect evidence to build the strongest possible defense for your case. Call now for a consultation to learn how to protect your rights and your future.