College Park Sex Crimes Attorney

Experienced Attorneys Representing Clients for Sex Crimes in College Park, MD

A single accusation of a sex crime can come with serious damage to your reputation, but the penalties and stigma of a conviction are far worse. You could face years in prison and long-term, or even permanent registration on a sex offender list. If you stand accused of a sex crime in College Park, it is absolutely imperative that you seek out strong legal representation to defend you in court. At Salvado Law Offices, our attorneys provide comprehensive defense and counsel to clients accused of sex crimes. We are prepared to evaluate your case with a critical eye, going through witness statements and all available evidence to pursue your best defense.

Rape Charges

A rape conviction in Maryland comes with severe penalties that could decide the rest of your life, with penalties ranging from strict minimum prison sentences to life behind bars. Rape charges arise from non-consensual sex acts, usually under the threat of force, coercion, or with an unconscious or otherwise incapacitated victim. Per state legislature, rape charges are divided into the first and second degree.

Second degree rape covers forceful, non-consensual sex acts against a victim, including victims under 14 with a four-year age difference from an older perpetrator, and cases where the victim cannot due to physical or mental disability. For second degree charges, defendants face up to 20 years in prison, with the possibility of a mandatory 15-year or life sentence if an adult defendant was found to have raped a child under 13.

Rape charges can be aggravated to first degree under certain circumstances, such as making threats of serious harm or death, brandishing a weapon, or committing rape after making a forcible, unlawful entry into a residence. Rape charges of the first degree carry the potential for a life sentence.

Sexual Offenses

Sexual offenses are less serious than rape charges, but still incredibly damaging. These include statutory sex offenses with victims under the age of consent, such as sexual acts occurring between teachers or coaches with students. A fourth degree sexual offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a year in prison and a fine no greater than $1,000. Charges may escalate to a third degree sexual offense, a felony with a possible 10-year prison sentence, if the threat of force was involved. What separates a sexual offense from rape is whether or not vaginal intercourse was involved: if it was, you can be charged with rape.

Fighting Allegations of Sex Crimes

If you have been charged with rape, a sexual offense, or any other sex crime, our attorneys will put up a thorough defense on your behalf. We are prepared to engage with the bare facts of the case to uncover false accusations, looking for evidence of given consent, a malicious motive, a question of mistaken identity, or a lack of evidence to place you at the scene.

When these charges are taken to court, the prosecution must present strong enough case to prove your guilt beyond any reasonable doubt. We will put up a relentless defense on your behalf, attacking any weaknesses in the prosecution's argument and making a sound case for your innocence.

Contact a College Park, MD Sex Crimes Attorney Today

If you have been accused of a sex crime in College Park, you are likely to be panicked, at a loss for how to respond. With your personal freedoms at stake, the smartest choice you can make is to contact a criminal defense attorney as early as possible into the proceedings. The attorneys at Salvado Law Offices can work with you to develop a strong strategy for your defense. To schedule a free consultation, contact us today at 301-933-1814.