Sex Crimes

It can be terrifying to face a sex crime charge. The social stigma and media attention given to alleged "sex offenders" and sex crimes is so great that you must do everything you can to protect yourself and your good name if you have been charged with a sexual crime. If you are convicted, you could be forced to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life. You could be denied access to your own home, your family and your children. You could be forced to spend an extended period of time in jail or even prison.

State Regulation on Sexual Offenses

There are many types of offenses that fall under the umbrella of "sex offenses," including rape, sexual assault, molestation, possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, sexual battery, indecent exposure, lewd or lascivious conduct, solicitation, prostitution, statutory rape, date rape, obscenity and many, many more. A charge can be a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the accusations of criminal activity and the involved circumstances. Sexual assault will typically be charged as a Felony 2, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse a Felony 1 and Indecent assault a felony 2.

When It’s Illegal

Under Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §3121 rape is considered a felony consisting of sexual intercourse by force, with an unconscious person, by threat, where the individual impaired the victims ability to restrain or express refusal or with an individual with a mental disability. Sexual offenses can be carried out through these same means, such as forcing someone into an action they have said “no” to.

When both parties are not in favor, then the action can be considered illegal. Charges can even occur between a couple that has been sexual before, if one of them declines in even one instance. Through 42 Pa.C.S. § 9798.1, information regarding sex offenders will be available to the public through an online registry maintained by the police. A sex crime conviction can not only be humiliating, along with damaging to your relationship with your family, your career and social life.