Date Rape Penalties in Greenwich
A simple allegation that you sexually assaulted someone you were dating can wreak havoc in your personal and professional life, regardless of whether you’re ever convicted. For this reason, amongst others, it’s important to get a head start on your defense as soon as possible.
To best assist in your defense, you need to know the penalties for date rape in Greenwich. Once retained, a knowledgeable sexual assault attorney could explain how state law governs offenses of this nature and advocate tirelessly on your behalf from the beginning to end of your case.
What Are the Sentencing Guidelines for Greenwich Sexual Assault Offenses?
“Date Rape” is not a specific crime in Connecticut. Instead, if you are accused of sexual misconduct with a romantic date, you will likely be charged with some degree of sexual assault, and your case will likely be labeled domestic violence. The penalties upon conviction depend on a variety of factors like your criminal history and the specific allegations.
What Are Some of the Penalties for Date Rape?
The least severe consequences a date rape conviction may result in are those associated with fourth-degree sexual assault—meaning unlawful sexual contact without the use or threat of force—with someone 16 years or older. This offense is a class A misdemeanor punishable at most by a year in jail and a $2,000 fine. If that sexual contact was compelled by force, though, the offense becomes third-degree sexual assault, a class D felony.
Someone who has sexual intercourse with someone who is physically helpless or otherwise materially unable to consent may be charged with class C felony second-degree sexual assault. Sexual intercourse compelled through force or occurring under certain other circumstances is a class B felony first-degree sexual assault. Finally, the most severe repercussions that a date rape conviction could have, if the allegedly targeted individual is 16 or older, are those associated with aggravated first-degree sexual assault. This is a class B felony punishable by a minimum ten-year prison term with five years being mandatory.
What Does It Mean if My Case is Labeled Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence in Connecticut encompasses crimes committed against family or household members, including those who you date even if you never live with or marry them. A domestic violence designation on your file means you’ll have your arraignment on the next business day after your arrest, a protective order will be put in place, and, on the plus side, you may be eligible to work with Family Services to protect a clean criminal record. Follow this link to a website full of resources on domestic violence defense.
What Are the Sex Offender Registration Requirements in Greenwich?
Under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §54-251, any person convicted of a nonviolent sexual offense must register as a sex offender for at least 10 years after an initial conviction and for life after any subsequent offenses. Violent sexual offense convictions will result in mandatory lifetime registration after a first offense in accordance with C.G.S. §54-252. Sexual assault in the fourth degree is the only sexual assault offense in Connecticut that may be considered “non-violent” in nature. Every other degree of sexual assault is classified as “violent” in this regard.
Put simply, this means that a conviction for date rape will always mean becoming a registered sex offender and almost always mean remaining on that list for life, even after serving any jail or prison time imposed by the court. In some respects, this is one of the most severe penalties that can result from a date rape allegation in Greenwich. Follow this link to learn more about the ins and outs of the Sex Offender Registry, a penalty that long outlives your criminal case in Connecticut.
A Greenwich Attorney Could Explain Date Rape Penalties in More Detail
Despite not being a distinct crime defined under state law, date rape is still an immensely serious allegation that can have severe repercussions both in and out of court. If you were recently accused of committing this type of offense, securing capable legal counsel as soon as possible could make a huge difference in preserving your rights and freedoms.
A seasoned defense attorney, like the Avvo 5-star rated Attorneys at Mark Sherman Law, could discuss date rape penalties in Greenwich and how to potentially mitigate them in more detail during a confidential consultation. Schedule yours by calling today.