Greenwich Rape Lawyer
The penalties associated with rape charges could have a severe impact on your personal and professional life and may remain on your record forever without help from an aggressive sex crimes attorney. Fortunately, an experienced Greenwich rape lawyer can fight those allegations on your behalf and effectively preserve your reputation.
How Does State Law Address Rape as a Criminal Offense?
The Connecticut Penal Code no longer uses the term “rape” to refer to someone using or threatening to use physical force to compel another individual to engage in sexual intercourse. Instead, this criminal act, defined under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §53a-70, is considered Sexual Assault in the First Degree. In most situations, this charge is a Class B felony and is punishable by one to 20 years of prison time and a $15,000 maximum fine.
However, there are several circumstances under which an alleged act of rape could have more serious criminal penalties in Connecticut. For example, if someone commits First Degree Sexual Assault against someone under 16, a court will charge them with a Class A felony, punishable by a minimum five-year prison term (ineligible for suspension or reduction) and up to a maximum 25-year sentence. The mandatory minimum increases to 10 years if the alleged targeted individual is under ten years old.
Furthermore, C.G.S. §53a-70a defines any of the following acts as Aggravated Sexual Assault in the First Degree:
- The use or believable threat of using a deadly weapon;
- Severe and permanent physical disfigurement of the targeted person;
- The presence of two or more individuals during the commission of the assault; and
- An act that causes serious bodily injury to the targeted person through behavior “evincing an extreme indifference to human life.”
As a Greenwich rape attorney could further explain, this offense—along with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Minor defined under C.G.S. §53a-70c—has unique penalties. Likewise, the severity of the charge will vary depending on the alleged victim’s age.
Is It Possible to Contest Rape Allegations in Greenwich?
There is no one-size-fits-all way to contest a criminal case effectively, and this is particularly true in cases involving allegations of First Degree Sexual Assault. Depending on the circumstances, a comprehensive defense to a rape accusation in Connecticut may involve countering specific arguments and pieces of evidence presented by the prosecution and questioning a witness’s recollections. Additionally, it may be possible to establish that the other party consented to sexual intercourse.
The most crucial thing for those facing these charges to remember is that anything they say to anyone during an ongoing investigation or prosecution can be used against them. Because of this, anyone dealing with rape allegations in Greenwich should contact a defense attorney as quickly as possible and let them take the lead in defending their interests.
Seek Legal Help from a Greenwich Rape Attorney
Regardless of the type of offense an alleged defendant is accused of, they are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Understanding that you are not necessarily guilty for the crime you were charged with is essential to remember when facing accusations of rape, especially considering the social stigma associated with such an offense.
A dedicated Greenwich rape lawyer can provide the custom-tailored guidance and support you may need and help you protect your prospects in and out of the courtroom. Call Mark Sherman Law today, and click here to read what past clients have to say about working with us.