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Mesa Sex Crimes Lawyer

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Mesa Sex Crimes Attorney

Any criminal charge could negatively impact on your life, but sex crimes carry a certain stigma that often result in irreparable personal and professional damage. If you face charges for a sex crime, it is crucial to take immediate action in order to defend your rights and protect your future. Penalties for sex crime convictions can be steep in arizona, and building a solid legal defense is imperative.

At grand canyon law group, we understand how to defend our clients from sex crime accusations. Our mesa sex crimes lawyers have handled thousands of cases, and we are confident in our ability to provide outstanding legal defense.

In Arizona, sex crimes are governed under Title 13 in Chapter 14 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. This area of criminal law describes an overarching set of behaviors that occur without a person’s consent or with a person who is unable to consent due to various reasons, such as their age. Sex crimes could also include acts that involve an invasion of private or public space, such as public indecency or voyeurism.

Sexually based offenses are some of the most severely punished crimes in Arizona. Many convictions come with mandatory jail sentences and sex offender registration, which can stigmatize a person for the rest of their life. If you are accused of any of the following types of sex crimes in Mesa, reach out to the skilled attorneys at Grand Canyon Law Group to aggressively defend your rights and protect your way of life.

WHAT IS A SEX CRIME?

There are at least a dozen separate offenses that constitute sex crimes in Mesa. Incidents involving adults typically involve behavior that occurs without a person’s consent, such as:

  • Voyeurism (recording or viewing a person in the state of undress in an area where they expect privacy)
  • Indecent exposure or public sexual indecency
  • Sexual abuse (touching the private parts or the breast of an adult person without that person’s consent)
  • Sexual assault (sexual conduct or intercourse without a person’s consent)

Sex crimes also encompass various offenses involving children:

Offenses involving minors are among the most serious of sexual crimes and come with harsh punishments, usually including mandatory prison sentences. Any Mesa resident facing these types of sex crime charges should consult our experienced attorneys immediately.

SENTENCING FOR SEX OFFENSES IN MESA

The consequences of a sex crime conviction can be huge, and a person convicted of a sexual offense may face life in prison. Sometimes, prison sentences are over ten years for every single offense that is charged. An indictment can have a dozen or more counts, which can put a person in prison for hundreds of years.

In addition to harsh prison sentences, a sexual crime conviction could come with mandatory sex offender registration, which may impact a person’s reputation and future prospects in various ways. A criminal record of this sort can jeopardize one’s housing options, employment and educational opportunities, or chances of receiving certain types of licensing.

ARE THERE SEX CRIME PENALTIES BESIDES JAIL?

Although sentencing for sexual offense charges often involves prison time, a rigorous, proactive legal defense from our Mesa lawyers could help to get charges reduced or even dismissed. Probation is one alternative outcome for a sex crimes case, as well as counseling, therapy, or other court sanctions. Some misdemeanor offenses may only come with a fine.

However, there are other kinds of serious penalties besides jail sentences that could accompany sex crime charges. A person could lose the ability to be around minors or family members, travel freely in the community, or even use a computer. Because there are many different factors at play in Mesa sex crime cases, those facing these types of charges should work with our former legal prosecutors on a strong, well-tailored defense.

arizona state laws

In the state of arizona, sex crimes can fall under a number of different categories. The charges depend on the age of the alleged victim, the type of incident that occurred, and the relationship between the defended and the alleged victim, among other factors.

Arizona sex crimes include:

  • child molestation: charges for child molestation involve knowingly and intentionally touching a child under the age of 15 inappropriately and sexually. Classified as a class 2 felony, conviction could result in up to 27 years in prison.
  • statutory rape: also referred to as sexual conduct with a minor, statutory rape is any sexual contact with a person under the age of 15, even if they were willing. Persons under the age of 15 are considered too young to legally provide consent. Statutory rape is classified as a class 6 felony but could be classified as a class 2 if the defendant was a parent or legal guardian of the minor in question, a teacher, or a clergyman.
  • indecent exposure: if a person reveals private body parts to another person in an offensive way, it could be considered indecent exposure. This could be classified as a class 1 misdemeanor, or a class 6 if the offended person was a child.
  • sexual exploitation of a minor: a few different crimes could be classified as sexual exploitation of children, including commercial exploitation in a sexual way, such as filming a child or using digital communication to solicit sexual conduct with a minor.
  • sexual abuse: a person commits an act of sexual abuse by knowingly engaging in sexual contact with a person over the age of 15 who has not given consent. Sexual abuse also includes intentional contact with the female breast with a person under the age of 15. If the victim is an adult, the crime is classified as a class 5 felony or class 3 for children.
  • prostitution: in arizona, prostitution crimes extend to include any active involvement with prostitution, like procuring individuals for prostitution, receiving prostitution earnings, and other such activities. Depending on the type of involvement, the crime can be classified as a misdemeanor or felony.
  • sexual assault: also referred to as rape, sexual assault is defined as engaging in sexual intercourse or oral contact with a person without their consent. Sexual assault is a class 2 felony and could result in serious penalties, especially if the victim was physically harmed or date-rape drugs were involved.

HOW DO THE POLICE INVESTIGATE SEX CRIMES?

In conducting a sex crime investigation, the police may use various tactics. One common strategy is a confrontation call or one-party consent call, which involves setting up phone calls or texting between the alleged victim and the suspect to try to get them to make an incriminating statement. The police will then monitor and record the interaction to potentially use as evidence in the court case.

There are many types of information that the Mesa police may seek in a sex crime investigation, such as medical records or DNA evidence. Recently, digital or electronic investigations have also become increasingly common for sexual offenses such as child pornography charges. In these kinds of sex crime cases, the police may investigate using complex computer programs to locate and trace the IP address for a suspect’s home in Mesa. Then, they could obtain a search warrant to further inspect for illegal activity.

DEFENDING A SEX CRIME CASE IN THE INVESTIGATIVE STAGE

When a sex crime has not yet been charged, time is of the essence for anyone under investigation. If a suspect waits too long to contact legal counsel, they allow the police to obtain more information from them, including statements about the case or even confessions from confrontation calls. To prevent the creation of incriminatory evidence in a Mesa sex crime investigation, it is crucial for a suspect to seek dedicated representation from our attorneys who can intervene on their behalf.

If the police are still investigating a case, they are trying to determine if they have a basis for charges. Our legal team can work to decrease the likelihood of a Mesa resident being charged by protecting them from giving statements or otherwise implicating themselves of sex crimes. Because the police rely on confessions from their suspect, aggressive defensive measures by a skilled attorney early on in the investigation can be critical in preventing sex crime charges from ever being brought.

SEEK LEGAL DEFENSE NOW FOR SEX CRIME INVESTIGATIONS IN MESA

Because the police may use various creative tactics for sex crimes investigations in Mesa, it is necessary to retain an equally savvy attorney to protect your rights. The police are skilled in interviewing suspects and obtaining admissions of fault, but our former prosecutors at Grand Canyon Law Group know what investigative tactics to look out for and can advise you on the best protective measures to take against them.

Sex crimes are unique from most other types of criminal charges, as there are often no witnesses to the offense other than the alleged victim and perpetrator. Accordingly, special police tactics and various legal complexities may be used to investigate and prosecute these types of cases.

SEX CRIMES PROBATION TERMINATION IN MESA

When a person is convicted of a sex crime under Arizona state law, they could face substantial criminal penalties. One of the more severe and long-lasting consequences is an extensive probationary period. In some cases, probation could even be set to last a lifetime.

If you are currently on probation for committing a sex crime and seek to have that period terminated early, the skilled attorneys at Grand Canyon Law Group can provide the legal support need to accomplish this. For more information on sex crimes probation termination in Mesa, speak with our experienced legal team today.

PROCESS TO TERMINATE A SEX OFFENDER PROBATION PERIOD EARLY

In Mesa, a court may terminate a person’s probationary period on its own volition or by request of the defendant under § 13-901(E) of the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.). To grant the early termination of probation for a sex crime, the court will first take multiple factors into consideration.

The legal process for terminating a probation period early in Arizona can be found under 16A A.R.S. Rules Crim.Proc., Rule 27.4. A knowledgeable attorney at our firm can assess the facts of a defendant’s case to determine whether they qualify for early probation termination in Mesa. If a defendant qualifies, our legal team is experienced in filing for early termination under the state’s laws and can assist with the process.

FACTORS TO QUALIFY FOR EARLY TERMINATION OF SEX CRIMES PROBATION

There are several factors a court may consider when deciding whether to terminate a sex crime probation period early. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Support of probation officer (or lack thereof) to terminate probation early
  • Length of time already spent on probation
  • Correspondence from family and friends evidencing support of early probation termination
  • Status of compliance with the Adult Probation Department (e.g., payment of any fees due and compliance with the conditions of probation)
  • Support of therapist (or lack thereof) to terminate probation early
  • Evaluation from a licensed professional (e.g., psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist) evidencing that the person is not a danger to the community
  • Polygraph test results

After reviewing and considering these factors, the Mesa court can make a determination as to whether a sex offender’s probationary period may be terminated early. However, the court will not consider ending a probation period until a Petition to Terminate is filed. Once retained, our persistent lawyers will properly prepare and file a Petition to Terminate a sex crimes probation period on behalf of a Mesa defendant.

CONSULT AN ATTORNEY ON SEX CRIMES PROBATION TERMINATION IN MESA

Although it is possible to terminate a sex crimes probation period early, it is not easy to achieve without well-practiced legal assistance. Fortunately, the seasoned legal team at Grand Canyon Law has handled many of these types of cases and can assist with the process.

If you have spent time on probation for a sex crime under Arizona state law, you may be eligible for an early end to your sentence by filing a Petition to Terminate with a state court. By retaining a dedicated legal advocate who is familiar with sex crimes probation termination in Mesa, you could increase your chances of a successful outcome to your case. Call our team today to get started.

LEGAL STRATEGIES FOR DEFENDING SEX CRIME CHARGES

For a sexual offense case, our skilled Mesa lawyers will first investigate and evaluate the evidence that the state is relying on to bring charges. Using our experience and knowledge as former prosecutors, we will work to understand how they intend to get a conviction. Essentially, our job in defending a person accused of a sex crime is to know every aspect of the case against them to find and challenge the weaknesses.

Additionally, GCLG attorneys will evaluate the accused person and present them to the court as a valuable member of society. Maybe there is a justification or mitigation that could help in negotiating for lesser charges or sentencing or could serve as a defense. At every stage, the legal team at Grand Canyon Law Group will assess the available argument to determine an effective strategy for defending against the sexual offense charges.

CLIENT-ATTORNEY RELATIONSHIP IN A MESA SEXUAL OFFENSE CASE

It is important that a lawyer and their client can speak freely to, rely on, and trust one another in order to achieve the best result. As such, defendants should work with a trustworthy sex crimes lawyer who knows how to handle the unique nature of these offenses.

These cases are often sensitive and involve complicated investigations. The role of a local attorney is to understand the different aspects of a sex crimes case and explain them to their client. Our lawyers also understand the damage that sexual allegations can have on a person’s future, and we are prepared to mitigate the consequences of a criminal conviction. We always communicate without judgment and a focus only on defending our clients.

WORKING WITH EXPERTS IN A SEXUAL OFFENSE CASE

In defending against sex crime accusations, a lawyer will work with experts and use them in the client’s defense. Besides having a legal understanding of sex crimes, an attorney must know the psychological and emotional nature of these types of offenses. They should have experience preparing for and cross-examining the state’s experts, including detectives, computer experts, and psychiatric or psychological experts.

The legal professionals at Grand Canyon Law Group are trained in this field and understand how all these pieces work together in a sex crimes case. Additionally, we know the best available experts and have a working relationship and trust built up with years of working together. This well-rounded knowledge is crucial in creating an effective defense.

BENEFITS OF RETAINING A SEX CRIMES LAWYER

For one, a lawyer can help a defendant understand how sex crimes cases are investigated, charged, and prosecuted. Knowing the legal processes is key in obtaining a positive outcome. Additionally, our attorneys have worked with many of the prosecutors and people who handle these cases on the other side. We have developed strong relationships in the legal community and know how to negotiate for the best results in sex crimes cases.

Finally, we are prepared to dedicate the time and effort necessary to successfully defend against these serious charges. Our lawyers believe in our clients and will fight to protect their quality of life.

If you are accused of a sexually based offense, you deserve the best legal team to protect your life. It really is that serious. You should be able to expect that your lawyer is knowledgeable, experienced, and communicative about your case.

If you are accused of a sexual offense, you need a lawyer to defend you. The role of an attorney in a Mesa sex crimes case is to understand every aspect of the charges against you and fight to mitigate or avoid the penalties of a conviction.

Combatting the prosecution requires significant legal knowledge and expertise, so it is crucial to choose the right attorney who can dedicate the time that your case deserves. It is important to hire an attorney with specific experience, knowledge in training is sex-related cases. It is a very specific type of case. Be careful of hiring general “criminal lawyers” who do not have this background or dedication to it in their practice. The prosecutors who do this type of case know the attorneys who are knowledgeable and have the tools to take them to task on these cases. It will make a major difference to your case.

defend your rights with the help of a mesa sex crimes attorney

No matter the specific charge you face, you have rights and freedoms that are worth protecting. Our skilled legal team at the Grand Canyon Law Group has experience successfully defending against sexually based charges. We can use that knowledge and skill in cases involving various types of sex crimes in Mesa.

The penalties for sexual crimes can be severe, sometimes resulting in lifetime imprisonment and thousands of dollars in fines. We conveniently have two office locations to better serve clients in the gilbert and mesa areas. To protect your reputation and your future, contact a mesa sex crimes lawyer for legal guidance today.

Schedule A Consultation With The Grand Canyon Attorney Who Can Help