Annapolis, MD Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers

Sex crimes cover a wide array of offenses, with some considered worse than others. Whether the act is completed or threatened, these crimes involve a sexual component without the victim's consent. The victim may be harmed physically, emotionally, and mentally. These crimes can be committed in various ways, including over the internet.

Rape consists of sexual intercourse without consent, often accomplished with the use of force or by threatening to use force. Charges may include first-degree or second-degree rape, depending on case-specific factors, which include the victim's age and mental capacity, whether a weapon was used or threatened to be used, and whether another crime was being committed simultaneously.

A sexual offense includes sex acts other than intercourse committed without a person's consent. These acts generally involve sexual contact in which someone touches someone else's private parts for the purposes of sexual gratification. Sexual offenses range in severity from third- to fourth-degree depending on factors such as the use of a weapon or the infliction of injuries.

Attempted sexual offenses or rape are illegal and are usually charged as felonies. A conviction can carry a sentence of up to a lifetime in prison without the possibility of parole.

If you are convicted of a sex crime in Maryland, it is mandatory to register with the Maryland Sex Offender Registry. Conviction not only includes being found guilty in court, but it could also apply to those who enter a no-contest plea, are given probation before judgment, or are found not criminally responsible by reason of insanity.

There are three tiers of offenders on Maryland's sex offender registry, and these tiers refer to the length of time that person will remain on the registry. Tier I offenders remain on the list for 15 years, Tier II last for 25 years, and Tier III offenders remain on the registry until they die. The tier level corresponds to the specific sex crime conviction.

Whether charges involve statutory rape, child pornography, solicitation, or another offense, sex crimes involving children are considered worse than many other types of offenses. The severity of the punishment may vary according to the child's age, the age discrepancy between the offender and victim, and the nature of the crime.

Most sex crimes are felonies. A conviction could mean a long prison sentence, fines, mandatory registration and monitoring with the state's sex offender registry, and a criminal record that might not be eligible for expungement. In addition, your parental rights could be affected.