Ridgefield Sexual Assault Lawyer

If you are accused of committing sexual assault, you should retain the services of an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible. An experienced Ridgefield sexual assault lawyer attorney could be by your side every step of the way.

What Is Sexual Assault?

What used to be referred to as rape now falls under the umbrella term of “sexual assault”. Connecticut General Statutes §53a-65 defines various terms that you need to understand if you’re accused of sexual assault including “sexual contact” and “sexual intercourse.”

Sexual contact involves an actor knowingly and intentionally contacting another person’s intimate parts—which include the genitals, groin, breasts, buttocks, and inner thighs—either with the intent to derive sexual pleasure from it or to humiliate or degrade the targeted person. Sexual intercourse covers any kind of penetrative oral, anal, or vaginal sexual conduct, whether it involves the actor’s genitals or any other object or body part.

What Are The Four Degrees of Sexual Assault?

Like many crimes, sexual assault has varying degrees depending on the conduct involved and the age and status of the victim. Connecticut General Statutes §§53a-70 through 53a-73a establishes these degrees of sexual assault. Sexual assault in the fourth degree involves sexual conduct with someone who materially cannot consent to sex and is the least severe sexual assault offense, while sexual assault in the first degree involves nonconsensual sexual intercourse through the use of force. On the other end of the spectrum, sexual assault in the first degree involves compelling another to engage in sexual intercourse by use of force or the threat of force.

What is Domestic Violence in a Sexual Assault Investigation?

Domestic violence is not a specific crime, but instead a category that crimes can fall into. If the victim of a sex assault is a household member or relative, the case can be categorized as domestic violence. When this happens, you will appear in court quicker, you’ll be subject to protective orders, and you may be paid a visit from DCF. To learn more about domestic violence defense, click here. If the Department of Children and Families is investigating you as well, click here to learn more about the process of their investigation. A Ridgefield defense attorney can help you understand the specific intricacies of your case.

What Consequences Could a Conviction Lead to?

The only form of sexual assault considered a misdemeanor offense in Connecticut is fourth-degree sexual assault of a person over 16 years of age, which is a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to $2,000 in fines and a maximum one-year jail sentence. All other forms of sexual assault are felonies punishable by at least one year in prison on top of substantial fines, and many such offenses have mandatory minimum sentences established under state law.

All allegations should be taken with the utmost seriousness regardless of whether they are misdemeanors or felonies A sexual assault lawyer in Ridgefield could clarify what repercussions may come from a conviction for a particular offense and help determine potential defense strategies.

A Ridgefield Sexual Assault Attorney Could Help

If you have been accused of committing an act of sexual assault, you likely need to take action quickly if you want to preserve both your legal prospects and your public reputation.  Retaining a skilled Ridgefield sexual assault lawyer could make all the difference in how your case plays out and what your future looks like after your case ends. To learn more about working with the Law Offices of Mark Sherman, click here to see our hundreds of certified reviews. Get started today.

Live Chat