Being accused of a sex crime in Alabama is incredibly serious. A conviction will have a lifetime of adverse consequences that includes a host of penalties and the requirement that you register as a sex offender. In many communities, a registered sex offender can’t live in a neighborhood near a school or playground.
It is not surprising that just facing these types of charges have ruined longstanding reputations, led to job termination, and destroyed family relationships. Even a completely innocent person that is accused of one of these offenses will suffer repercussions.
Whether you have already been arrested or have received word that you are under investigation for a sex crime, time is not on your side. At Alsobrook Law Group, our experienced Alabama sex crimes defense attorneys will act quickly to ensure that your rights are protected at every turn.
We will be by your side during any questioning by law enforcement so that you can avoid any missteps that could worsen your situation. Our firm also conducts an independent investigation into every criminal case so that we can uncover evidence to help mount your defense.
If you have been arrested for a sex crime in the Auburn area or fear that you will be charged soon, contact our office immediately to discuss your situation.
Alsobrook Law Group defends clients charged with serious federal and state sex crimes in Alabama, including:
Many sex crimes in Alabama are classified as felonies, which will result in serious penalties upon conviction. Even a misdemeanor sex crime, such as sexual misconduct, brings the possibility of substantial fines and jail time.
First-degree rape, or intercourse by force, is a Class A felony and is one of the most common sexual assault crimes that we deal with in Alabama. Penalties for this crime upon conviction include a maximum fine of $60,000 and up to 10 years in prison. If the offender was 21 years or older and the victim 6 years or younger, the penalty increases to life in prison.
While the criminal penalties for sex crimes are severe, the other consequences are also serious and life-changing. These include:
The attorneys at Alsobrook Law Group understand the devastating nature of a sex crimes charge. No matter what you have been accused of, we believe that everyone is deserving of a thorough and aggressive defense. Because sex crimes cases can quickly grab headlines, it is possible that law enforcement will hastily attempt to build a case against you, even cutting some corners in their process.
Our legal team conducts its own exhaustive investigation into your case to uncover these flaws, which could point to a violation of your rights or other weak evidence. In some cases, these items can get charges either reduce or dropped completely:
If your case is forced to go to trial to prove your innocence, our legal team is prepared to hire expert witnesses and investigators to counter evidence produced by the prosecution. In some sex crimes cases, we will have clients meet with a psychologist. If the medical expert finds that you do not fit the profile of someone who typically commits this type of crime, this information could be entered into evidence.
Many sex crimes come down to “he said/she said” cases, meaning it is one person’s word against the other. By undermining the credibility of your accuser, our attorneys may be able to convince the court that this is someone whose word can’t be trusted. In other words, you have the more believable version of events and should have the charges dropped.
It is important to remember that the state still must prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and hiring a skilled sex crimes defense attorney puts you in the best possible position to secure a positive outcome.
When sexual assault occurs on a college campus or involves university students, there are additional complications. Independent of a criminal investigation by the local authorities, the college or university can conduct its own investigation and impose penalties under Title IX.
Title IX is a federal law that was enacted in 1972 to provide protections to students under certain conditions. Specifically, it prohibits any discrimination on the basis of sex by a school that receives federal funding. The language of the statute is broad, and campuses have assumed a wide range of powers under its umbrella.
Because a victim of a sexual assault could feel that they are being harassed or subject to a hostile environment, most schools will conduct an investigation if there are sexual assault charges by law enforcement. This is often an unfair process, even though schools are not supposed to rely on the conclusions of a criminal investigation to resolve their complaints.
If you were arrested for sexual assault on campus, or a crime involving another student, the university might still pursue action against you even if the criminal charges are dropped. You might face consequences from the school such as suspension, expulsion, or other academic penalties.
This alone could have a significant effect on your future, even if the criminal case goes nowhere. If you are kicked out of school, you might also be prevented from transferring to another institution and pursuing the degree and career of your choice.
Title IX provisions can be complex and inequitable, even though they were created to even the playing field. If you find yourself in this situation, you still have the right to counsel, and the defense attorneys at Alsobrook Law Group can help protect your rights and future as you navigate this process.
The attorneys at Alsobrook Law Group possess the skills and knowledge to effectively interpret Alabama sex crime laws to your advantage. Being in proximity to a major university, we also have extensive experience defending students for crimes allegedly committed on campus.
