Hartford Sex Crime Defense Attorneys
Powerful criminal defense for rape and sexual assault in Hartford & Manchester, CT
Sexual assault is a terrible crime and can create a huge amount of emotional and physical damage from which it can take years to heal. It’s important that the perpetrators of such crimes are held responsible. However, if you are wrongly accused of sexual assault or rape, you are afforded to the right of presumption of innocence until proven guilty. You also have the right to defend yourself against any charges against you.
The Hartford criminal defense attorneys at Barry, Taylor & Levesque, LLC understand the seriousness of assault and rape allegations, and we also understand that terrible circumstances sometimes happen to good people. Whatever the case, we will listen to your story and provide discreet and strategic guidance. Talk to us today for aggressive protection of your legal rights.
Sex crimes and charges in Connecticut
Connecticut law states that sexual assault can be charged in the first, second, third or fourth degree. Each degree carries different penalties, with first-degree charges carrying the most severe. Sexual assault in the first degree can be a Class A or Class B felony charge, with up to 25 years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines. In any assault case, depending on the specifics of the situation, different factors can lead to aggravated or additional charges.
Sexual assault crimes and charges include:
- Sexual assault in the first degree
- Rape in the first degree
- Sexual assault in the second degree
- Rape in the second degree
- Sexual assault in the third degree
- Sexual assault in the fourth degree
A sex crime conviction will likely result in mandatory registration as a sex offender. Hiring an experienced Hartford defense attorney is your best avenue to a successful outcome and the opportunity to clear your name and your future.
What are the different types of sex crime charges in Hartford, CT?
It’s important to understand the charges against you, even if the truth is on your side. Following are some of the more common cases we see in our practice:
- Sexual assault. First- and second-degree sexual assault requires sexual intercourse.
- Sex trafficking. Illegally transporting people (across state lines or across countries) for the purpose of sexual exploitation is illegal at the state and federal level. State and federal agencies typically work together to handle these charges.
- Solicitation. Neither party needs to engage in a sexual act to be charged with solicitation as long as there was an agreement to exchange sexual acts for a fee.
- Voyeurism. Individuals who secretly photograph or film another without their knowledge or permission in order to satisfy a sexual need can be charged with voyeurism.
- Public indecency. Engaging in public sexual acts or exposing lewd body parts can result in these charges.
- Enticement of minors. These charges involved using a computer or other device to lure a minor under age 16 into any type of sexual activity.
- Child pornography. It’s a federal crime to send or receive images of a minor or individual who appears to be a minor engaging in any type of sexual activity.
- Failure to register as a sex offender. If you’ve been convicted of a sex crime, you’re required to register as a sex offender and update your contact information any time you change your address. Failure to do so is a criminal offense.
Our job is to help you through the legal process as smoothly as possible.
What are the penalties for a sex crime conviction?
The penalties for sex crimes and assaults are severe. In most cases, sex crimes are charged as felonies, and the penalties vary according to the degree of the crime.
- Sexual assault in the first degree. The most serious of sex crime charges, these can result in Class A or B felony charges, a prison sentence of 10 to 60 years, and fines of up to $20,000.
- Sexual assault in the second degree. These are considered Class B or Class C felonies, with prison sentences of one to 20 years and fines of $10,000 to $15,000.
- Sexual assault in the third degree. Third-degree assault is a Class D or Class D felony, with a prison sentence of one to 10 years and a fine of $5,000 to $10,000.
- Sexual assault in the fourth degree. Depending on certain factors, fourth-degree assault can be either a Class A misdemeanor or a Class D felony. A conviction can lead to a prison sentence of one to five years and fines of up to $5,000.
Will I have to register as a sex offender?
Sex offender registration is probably one of the biggest concerns of our clients, and for good reason. A sex offender registry includes an individual’s name, address and the crime for which they were convicted. This information is placed into a national registry and the general public also has access to it.
Sex offender status can negatively impact your housing status, your personal and career reputation, your access to your children, and the authorities may monitor your every move. However, information from the registry may not be used to harass or commit any crimes against you.
Remember – you are only required to register if you have been convicted, not arrested. We work to get your charges minimized or dropped and keep your record clean.
I was arrested for a sex crime. How can a Hartford sex crime defense attorney help?
You must act quickly if you’ve been arrested for, or are under investigation for, a sex offense. The defense attorneys at Barry, Taylor & Levesque dedicate themselves to our defense and provide strategic representation, including:
- Thorough analysis of your case, including a review of the prosecution’s case against you
- Negotiating to have your charges reduced or even dropped in certain instances
- Working to have evidence dismissed or declared inadmissible
- Using our relationships with local prosecutors to negotiate a plea deal or reduced bond
We put our decades of experience with these types of cases to work for you, and strive for the best possible outcome for your case.
Aggressive Hartford defense against sex crime charges
The criminal defense attorneys at Barry, Taylor & Levesque, LLC understand the seriousness of sexual assault or rape charges, as well as the stigma that comes along with them. We put our decades of experience to work for the best possible outcome for your case. With the potential consequences in these types of cases, you need strong lawyers on your side. Call us today. We’re located right off I-84 or I-384 in Manchester. To schedule a consultation with one of our criminal defense lawyers in Hartford or Manchester, please call 860-956-3071 or fill out our contact form.