DeKalb County Sex Crime Lawyer

DeKalb County Sex Crime Attorney

A sex crime charge or even a sex crime accusation can have a lasting negative impact on your life. This type of charge can affect your social standing, your personal relationships, your financial future, and even your employment prospects. When facing sex crime allegations, it is vital that you consult with an experienced sex crime lawyer to understand what your options may be. If you are facing such charges, reach out to a DeKalb County sex crime lawyer.

Sex crime cases deal with high stakes, life-altering consequences, and conclusions that can permanently impact your reputation. Hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer can be the defining choice that makes or breaks your case, especially if you choose to represent yourself. The legal team at Miller North & Brill understands the kind of help you need and can assist you in building a solid case to defend yourself.

Common Defenses Against Sex Crimes

One of the most important things you can have in a sex crime case in DeKalb County, GA is an impenetrable defense. You need to be able to explain your situation, and your lawyer can help you develop a defense that does just that. Some of the more common defenses that defendants often use when charged with a sex crime include:

• Alibi: The most basic defense in any criminal investigation is to claim innocence. The burden of proof rests with the prosecution in a criminal case, which means it is up to them to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If you have an airtight alibi, it can go a long way toward proving your innocence and possibly getting your charges dropped. Your lawyer may attempt to find proof of your alibi during their own investigation.
• Consent: The absence of consent is often the defining factor in a sex crime case, particularly in cases of rape. In Georgia, rape is defined as a forced sexual encounter with a woman by a man. If you can prove that the sexual encounter was a consensual one between two adults, it can destroy the prosecution’s case. Compelling evidence could be text messages, written consent in the alleged victim’s handwriting, or witnesses.
• Misidentification: There are times when a simple case of mistaken identity can completely shatter someone’s life by resulting in them being accused of a sex crime when, in fact, they had nothing to do with any of it. Eyewitness testimony is not always completely reliable, especially when the eyewitness has gone through a great deal of trauma.Your lawyer may argue the victim’s memory’s effectiveness in the event of a traumatic situation. Raising doubts of any kind can be beneficial to your case, especially with the high stakes of a sex crime case.
• False Accusations: There are times when an alleged sex crime victim will make up an entire story of sexual assault just to ruin somebody’s life. It could happen out of revenge, out of spite, or simply out of malice. Regardless, the law may take those accusations seriously, and someone could be arrested for a crime that has never happened. Your lawyer could argue that the prosecution is making a false accusation.
• DNA Evidence: Forensic evidence can be vitally important in a sex crime case. When DNA is found at the scene, it can be one of the most significant elements of the prosecution’s case. However, a lack of DNA evidence can be just as beneficial for your defense. If your DNA is nowhere near the scene, your lawyer can use that as evidence that you had nothing to do with the crime.

FAQs About DeKalb County, GA Sex Crime Laws

What Is the Romeo and Juliet Law in Georgia?

The “Romeo and Juliet Law” in Georgia refers to Georgia’s statutory rape law that provides lesser charges to younger offenders. Under this law, if the victim of statutory rape is at least 14 years old but no older than 16, and the offender is 18 years old or no less than four years older than the victim, the alleged offender may only be charged with a misdemeanor. Apart from this exception, someone who is convicted of statutory rape could face a possible 20-year sentence.

What Can Sex Offenders Not Do in Georgia?

Under Georgia state law, there are multiple things that registered sex offenders cannot legally do while in the state of Georgia. For example, sex offenders are not allowed to hang around any public area where minors tend to congregate. This includes schools, public and private parks, playgrounds, skating rinks, recreation centers, public swimming pools, bus stops, gyms, public libraries, and childcare facilities. Doing so is likely to be considered a violation.

Is Georgia Harsh on Sex Offenders?

Yes, Georgia is harsh on sex offenders. Sex crimes are taken very seriously by the Georgia court system. When it comes to registered sex offenders, Georgia law requires them to stay far away from any area where there could be children. In addition, the sex offender registry is open for public viewing online to ensure that anybody who might be concerned about their safety or their children’s safety can know exactly who to avoid.

Can a Sex Offender Live With His Family in Georgia?

A sex offender cannot live with his family in Georgia if the family has any children in the home that are under 18 years old. The sex offender in question is not allowed to have any interaction with children under 18, even their own. The court has to approve such a request in writing. In fact, a sex offender cannot marry or even date someone else who has children under 18 years old.

Reach Out to a DeKalb County Sex Crime Defense Lawyer Today

Facing sex crime charges can be immeasurably stressful, especially if you don’t know what to do to protect yourself. The very first thing you should do is consult with an experienced sex crime defense attorney and figure out what your options are. The legal team at Miller North & Brill handles these kinds of cases all the time and will create a compelling defense for your situation. Reach out to schedule a consultation today.