Vienna, VA Sex Crimes Lawyers

Skilled Attorneys Defending Clients Accused of Sex Crimes in Vienna, Virginia

An allegation of a sex crime can be severely damaging to your reputation. The criminal consequences of a conviction can be even worse. If convicted, you could be incarcerated for years, fined, and placed on the sex offender registry. During this stressful chapter of your life, a Vienna criminal defense lawyer can give you insightful legal advice and represent you in court.

At Salvado Law Offices, we understand the serious implications of a sex crime accusation. Our firm can provide you with guidance to help you fight various sex crime charges, and we will provide you with an aggressive defense against harsh prosecution.

Rape Charges

In Virginia, you can be charged with rape under the following circumstances:

• Having sex with a person against their will, whether by force, intimidation, or the threat of harm
• Having sex with a person who is physically or mentally helpless
• Having sex with a minor under the age of 13

If convicted, you face the possibility of life imprisonment, with a minimum sentence of no less than five years. The minimum prison sentence increases to 25 years if the victim was under 13 and the offender was at least three years older.

At Salvado Law Offices, we are ready to defend you against allegations of rape. We may question if you were falsely accused by a complaining witness with an ulterior motive. In other cases, there might have been sexual intercourse, but very clear consent may have been given. Alternatively, we could argue that you were mistaken for somebody else.

Prostitution and Solicitation

Any transaction involving prostitution is illegal in Virginia. The state specifically outlaws sexual acts or intercourse in exchange for "money or its equivalent," so if you accept anything of value in exchange for sex, you could be charged with a crime. Prostitution is a Class 1 misdemeanor, carrying a jail sentence of up to 12 months and/or a fine of up to $2,500 fine.

Likewise, soliciting a prostitute is also a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, soliciting an underage prostitute carries enhanced felony penalties, up to a Class 5 felony for soliciting a prostitute under the age of 16. A Class 5 felony is punishable by up to a decade in prison, with a minimum sentence of one year.

Lack of intent may be a strong defense against a prostitution or solicitation charge. If the prosecution cannot prove that there was a transaction for something of value for a sexual act, then the case against you could be dismissed.

Internet Sex Crimes

Virginia takes internet sex crimes very seriously. At Salvado Law Offices, we defend clients accused of:

• The possession, distribution, promotion, or creation of child pornography
• Soliciting a minor for sex online
• Revenge porn
• Promoting or soliciting prostitution

These offenses can range from misdemeanors to felonies, and convictions may result in mandatory registration as a sex offender. If you have been accused of an internet sex crime, you should avoid speaking to anyone about your case except for your attorney.

Depending on the circumstances, we may be able to get the charges against you reduced or dropped with a strong defense. For instance, if the evidence against you was seized in an illegal search, we might be able to get it excluded from your case, weakening the prosecution's case.

In other cases, we can negotiate for a favorable outcome with the prosecution, such as a reduced prison sentence or a lesser charge that does not entail registration as a sex offender.

Meet With a Vienna Sex Crimes Defense Attorney Today

At Salvado Law Offices, our Vienna sex crimes attorneys can put up an aggressive defense on your behalf. Call us at 301-933-1814 or reach out to us online to get started with a free consultation.