Child Sexual Abuse Attorney in Phoenix, AZ
Child sexual abuse can refer to either a specific crime with that name or a constellation of sex crimes involving children. Whether you’re facing the legal charge of child sexual abuse or you’ve been accused of committing a related crime doesn’t matter. You need to hire a Phoenix child sexual abuse lawyer to defend your rights and advocate for you throughout this difficult legal process.
For a free legal consultation with a child sexual abuse lawyer serving Phoenix, call 480-400-5555
Trust Grand Canyon Law Group
The team here at Grand Canyon Law Group has what it takes to defend clients against serious charges, including sexual offenses against children. If you need a Phoenix sex crime lawyer, you can trust us to help. We’re committed to providing every client with personalized attention and robust legal representation that takes into account the sensitive nature of the charges being levied against them. Find out how we can help you by contacting our firm today.
Phoenix Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near Me 480-400-5555
Why Hire a Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer?
As of 2024, there were 1,588,175 children under the age of 18 living in Arizona. In 2022, 84,730 referrals were made to CPS for child abuse and neglect. Of those cases, 4.2% involved sexual abuse. As you can see, a large number of children in our state are subjected to abuse of this kind.
Because it’s such a sensitive topic, people accused of child sexual abuse face a serious social stigma, even prior to their conviction. The last thing you need is a conviction on your record. The good news is that you are entitled to hire a child sexual abuse lawyer to help you avoid conviction. Your lawyer can:
- Explain the charges
- Collect evidence
- Analyze the prosecution’s case
- Try to get statements or evidence thrown out
- Come up with an effective defense strategy
- Represent you in court
- Help you decide whether to take a plea deal
Having a dedicated Phoenix child sexual abuse attorney on your side is the most effective way to get a positive outcome in your case. Facing these kinds of allegations is incredibly stressful. You deserve to have someone on your team who can handle the legal aspects of the case and take some of the stress off you during this difficult time in Phoenix.
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What Is Child Sexual Abuse?
In Arizona, child sexual abuse refers specifically to the touching of the female breast of someone under the age of 15 or non-consensual sexual contact with someone over the age of 15. However, there are also other forms of sexual abuse charges that can be brought against adults. They include:
- Sexual assault: Sexual assault involves engaging in sexual intercourse or having oral sexual contact with a person without their consent. If the person is under the age of 15, sexual assault can be tried as a dangerous crime against children.
- Molestation of a child: Molestation of a child involves engaging in sexual contact, with the exception of contact with the female breast, with any child who is under the age of 15. Molestation of a child doesn’t have to involve skin-to-skin contact. This crime can still be tried as a dangerous crime against children even if it involved touching that occurred over the clothes.
- Sexual conduct with a minor: Sexual conduct with a minor involves engaging in either sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with someone who is under the age of consent. If the alleged victim was under 15 at the time of the contact, it can be tried as a dangerous crime against children.
- Continuous sexual abuse of a child: Continuous sexual abuse of a child involves three or more acts of sexual abuse that take place over the course of at least three months involving a child under 14 years of age. It’s a Class 2 felony.
- Sexual exploitation of a minor: Sexual exploitation of a minor typically involves the creation, distribution, or ownership of child pornography. Arizona is unique in that possession of child pornography carries the same Class 2 felony designation as manufacturing it.
- Indecent exposure: Indecent exposure involves exposing private parts, including the female breast, in the presence of another person without regard to whether they would be upset. Indecent exposure involving minor victims under 15 is a felony offense.
- Public sexual indecency: Public sexual indecency involves having sexual intercourse, oral sex, or the touching of another person’s private parts without regard to whether it would upset another person. If the alleged victim is a minor under 15, it’s a felony offense.
As you can see, sex crimes against children that can be referred to using the common term sexual assault vary significantly in severity. Some are misdemeanors, as would be the case with indecent exposure involving a minor over the age of 15, while others are Class 2 felonies, as with sexual assault.
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Understanding the DCAC Designation
Certain crimes, typically those involving victims under the age of 15, are considered dangerous crimes against children under A.R.S. 13-705. DCAC crimes typically carry more significant prison terms than those that involve older children. There are mandatory sentencing requirements for these crimes, which means you need to serve the entire sentence without being eligible for parole, probation, or early release if you are convicted of a DCAC.
Under this statute, certain offenses against children under 12 can carry life sentences. Sexual assault and sexual conduct can both fall under this category. Even if you don’t get a life sentence for a sex crime involving a younger child, you can wind up facing significant prison time under DCAC. Prison sentences are generally served consecutively rather than concurrently, as well, leading to even more significant incarceration times.
Sex Offender Registration and Child Sexual Abuse
People convicted of child sexual abuse and other related crimes are typically required to register with Arizona’s sex offender database. This database is publicly accessible. Becoming a registered sex offender has additional impacts on a person’s life beyond social shaming. You are not able to live within a certain proximity of schools like Alhambra High School or work in a job involving children.
Common Defenses Against Child Sexual Abuse Charges
The defense strategy your lawyer chooses to employ may vary depending on the circumstances of your charges and the specific crime you’re being accused of having committed. In some cases, your defense lawyer may be able to argue that you didn’t know the alleged victim was under the age of 18. In other cases, your lawyer may claim that false allegations were made against you.
Finally, there are certain rules and procedures that law enforcement officers must follow when they collect evidence and interview witnesses. If any of them were violated, the evidence or statements obtained as a result could be thrown out, leaving the prosecution with insufficient evidence to continue pursuing charges against you.
FAQs About Child Sexual Abuse in Arizona
What Is the Statute Concerning Child Sexual Abuse in Arizona?
The statute concerning child sexual abuse in Arizona is A.R.S. 13-1404. It defines the sexual abuse of a child as sexual contact involving only the female breast of someone under the age of 15. This statute also applies to non-consensual sexual contact with a person over the age of 15. Charges related to child sexual abuse include molestation of a child, sexual conduct with a minor, and continuous sexual abuse of a child.
What Is the Romeo and Juliet Law in Arizona?
The Romeo and Juliet law in Arizona is covered in A.R.S. 13-1407(e). This close-in-age exemption to sexual conduct with a minor provides protection from criminal prosecution to people who are close in age and engaged in consensual sexual relationships with people under the age of 18. To be applicable, the defendant must be no more than 19 years of age, still in high school, and less than two years older than the alleged victim.
What Happens When a Parent Is Accused of Sexual Abuse?
When a parent is accused of sexual abuse in Arizona, law enforcement and the Department of Child Safety launch a joint investigation that can lead to the emergency removal of the children or the suspension of parenting time. The child, parents, and any witnesses can be interviewed, and criminal charges may be filed if there is sufficient evidence of the parent’s guilt.
What Evidence Do You Need to Prove Sexual Abuse of a Child in Arizona?
The evidence you need to prove sexual abuse of a child in Arizona includes forensic, medical, and testimonial evidence. Physical evidence is not required. The forensic and medical evidence typically includes findings from pediatric sexual assault exams. Testimony can include the child’s statement, witness interviews, and the testimony of expert witnesses. Behavioral and mental health records can also play a role in proving the abuse.
Your Phoenix Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Whether you’re facing actual charges of sexual abuse of a minor or a related sex offense such as sexual conduct with a minor or molestation of a child, you need to work with a skilled Phoenix child sexual abuse lawyer. The team here at Grand Canyon Law Group has years of experience in representing clients facing these serious charges and interpreting child sexual abuse laws. You can trust us to provide aggressive advocacy. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
Call or text 480-400-5555 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
