Concord Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer

If you are placed under arrest or suspect you are under investigation for a sex crime, contact an experienced Concord sex crimes attorney, like Attorney Chris Spring, before speaking with investigators.  Attorney Spring will meet with you in your home for a complimentary meeting to discuss your charges and a plan of action. Contact Attorney Spring today at (617) 513-9444.

The founder and owner of Spring & Spring, Attorney Chris Spring has:

• Practiced criminal law throughout Massachusetts for twenty years;
• Owned his criminal law firm for fifteen years; and
• Successfully resolved hundreds of criminal law cases, including sex crimes, for his clients.

Concord criminal defense attorney Spring is an aggressive advocate who will not back down from a fight.  He is available to clients on nights and weekends, and his fees are transparent.  Contact Spring & Spring to schedule your case consultation now.

How an Experienced Concord Sex Crimes Defense Attorney Can Help You

Attorney Spring has experience on both the prosecutorial and defense side of sex crime cases.  As a former Middlesex County assistant district attorney, he prosecuted sex crimes cases for the Commonwealth.  Now he uses the tactics and information learned as a prosecutor to defend clients charged with these crimes.

As a seasoned and successful Concord sex crimes attorney, Attorney Spring investigates the bigger story such as:

• The relationship between the alleged victim and perpetrator;
• The presence of drugs and alcohol;
• The truth of the accusations;
• Consent of the parties; and
• The possible motive behind the accusations.

Attorney Chris Spring analyzes and attacks your charges from every angle.  If an outright dismissal is not an option, he will work to either lessen your charges or discuss your option for trial with you.

Types of Sex Crimes in Concord, MA

There are various types of sex crimes in Massachusetts.  Many fall in the realm of sexual assault and rape, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Indecent exposure;
• Open and gross lewd and lascivious behavior;
• Indecent assault and battery;
• Assault with intent to rape; and
• Rape.

Typical cases involving children are statutory rape and distribution or possession of child pornography.  Any sex crime has the potential to dramatically impact a defendant throughout his lifetime, affecting where he may live, work, and the kinds of employment he may hold.

Indecent Exposure

To convict a defendant of a sex crime, the Commonwealth must prove the defendant satisfied each element in the statutory definition of that crime beyond a reasonable doubt.  For instance, indecent exposure, a lesser sex crime, requires the Commonwealth to prove the defendant:

1. Intentionally expose his or her genitals to another person; and
2. At least one person was offended by the exposure.

A defendant convicted of indecent exposure may serve a short jail sentence or be ordered to pay a fine.

Lewd and Lascivious Behavior

Any sexual behavior that would be shocking or alarming to the average person could constitute open and gross lewdness and lascivious behavior. Any crime against human decency, chastity, morality or good order can constitute this crime in the Commonwealth. To convict someone of lewd and lascivious behavior, the prosecution must prove the defendant:

1. Intentionally exposed his or her genitals, breasts (for a female) or buttocks;
2. Openly and with reckless disregard to public exposure;
3. In a manner that is shocking or alarming; and
4. At least one person was shocked or alarmed by the exposure.

A conviction for this crime comes with a penalty of up to three years in prison and/or a fine of $300.

Indecent Assault and Battery

Indecent assault and battery, a much more severe sex crime, can occur between married persons, strangers, or as a crime on a person under the age of fourteen (the elements are the same except for the age).  The elements of indecent assault and battery are as follows:

1. The alleged victim was at least fourteen years old at the time of the alleged offense;
2. The defendant intentionally touched the alleged victim without legal justification or excuse;
3. The defendant touched a part of the body that is commonly thought private, such as the genital area or buttocks, or the breasts of a female; and
4. The alleged victim did not consent to the touching.

A conviction for indecent assault and battery carries a possible state prison sentence and registration as a sex offender.

Assault With Intent to Rape

This crime describes any attack or assault if the assailant had the intent to rape the victim. To convict someone of this crime, the prosecution must show beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:

1. Assaulted the victim; and
2. Had the specific intent to rape the victim.

Punishment for assault with intent to rape in the Commonwealth can include up to 20 years in prison or 2.5 years in jail. A second offense is punishable with life in prison.

Rape

Convicted rapists must register as sex offenders.  They may serve up to a life prison sentence or be subject to indefinite commitment to a treatment center.

To convict a defendant of rape, the Commonwealth must prove:

1. The defendant engaged in either natural or unnatural intercourse with the alleged victim; and
2. The defendant compelled the alleged victim to submit by force or threat of bodily injury against his or her will.

To learn more about rape, or any sex crimes in Concord, call Attorney Chris Spring.  He is experienced in all areas of sex crime litigation and can help you understand any charges you are facing regardless of whether it is domestic violence or OUI.  It is vital to contact Attorney Spring right away so he may begin building your case as soon as possible.

Penalties for a Sex Crime Conviction in Massachusetts

The criminal consequences of a sex crime conviction will depend on the alleged crime. The criminal courts in Massachusetts penalize sex crimes differently based on their severity and nature. Potential penalties include jail or prison time, fines, restitution to the victim, community service, probation, and registration on Massachusetts’ sex offender list. These penalties can strip you of your rights and freedom. Aggravated circumstances, such as a sex crime committed with a deadly weapon, will result in more severe penalties.

• Assault with intent to rape. Maximum sentence: 2.5 years in jail or 20 years in prison.
• Indecent assault and battery (victim over 14). Maximum sentence: 2.5 years in jail or 5 years in prison.
• Indecent assault and battery (victim under 14). Maximum sentence: 2.5 years in jail or 10 years in prison.
• Indecent exposure. Maximum sentence: six months in jail.
• Lewd and lascivious with a child under 16. Maximum sentence: 2.5 years in jail or 5 years in prison.
• Open and gross lewdness. Maximum sentence: 2 years in jail or 3 years in prison.
• Rape, statutory rape or rape of a child under 16. Maximum sentence: life in prison.

The most effective way to protect yourself from severe penalties is to hire an aggressive defense attorney. A Concord sex crimes lawyer will have the information, experience, personnel, resources and connections to the courts to help you. At Spring & Spring, for example, we will do our best to counter the charges against you. If this is not an option, we will seek ways to reduce the charges and save you from the most severe consequences.

Possible Defenses to Sex Crime Charges in Concord

Do not assume there is no usable defense available to you. Working with the right attorney can open your eyes to various defense possibilities, either to refute the charges brought against you or mitigate them for a lesser sentence. At Spring & Spring, our sex crime defense lawyers take the time to personalize their legal strategies for each specific client and case. Once we fully evaluate the charges against you, we will build a defense strategy accordingly.

• No sex crime actually occurred
• False accusation
• Illicit motive or retaliation
• Tainted testimony
• Insufficient evidence
• Lack of intent to commit a sex crime
• Wrong defendant or alibi
• Consent

The right defense strategy could save you from life-changing criminal penalties. Your lawyer could help you avoid a conviction entirely, giving you a clean record and the chance to start again. If this is not possible, your lawyer can still protect you by reducing the charges you face or negotiating for a lighter sentence. You can rest assured your criminal defense attorney will do everything possible to help you out of an extremely tough situation.

Tips If You Have Been Accused of a Sex Crime

It is imperative to protect yourself and safeguard your rights as someone accused of a sex crime in the Commonwealth. Even a mere accusation could change your life and lead to substantial consequences. Take action to protect yourself right away.

1. Do not talk to the police or criminal investigators without a lawyer present. You are not required to answer an investigator’s questions without an attorney. Even if you think you have a handle on things, have a Concord sex crime lawyer by your side during questioning. Saying the wrong thing could incriminate you.
2. Do not talk to the accuser. Although it may be tempting to contact the accuser yourself to try to clear up the matter, this could make things worse. Saying the wrong thing to the accuser – or saying anything at all – could serve as evidence against you.
3. Be careful what you say on the phone. During phone calls at a police station, do not admit to committing a crime or even being in the same place at the same time as the alleged victim. Any incriminating statement you voluntarily make as someone not in custody at the police station can be used against you.
4. Do not consent to a search of your property. If an officer or investigator asks your permission to search your home, vehicle, laptop, cellphone or another property, politely decline. This will force the investigator to obtain a search warrant from a judge before searching your property if there is no probable cause.
5. Create a timeline of events. While the day or night in question is still fresh in your mind, write down a timeline of events. Be as specific as possible, with a minute-by-minute breakdown of where you were and who you were with. Include a list of witnesses who saw you where you say you were. A detailed and accurate timeline could give you an alibi.

Taking the right steps can make a critical difference to a criminal case against you. Most importantly, contact a criminal defense lawyer near you right away for legal advice. A lawyer will not let you do anything that could hurt your case.

Contact Our Concord Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers Today

Speak to a defense lawyer in Concord if you are facing potential charges under any of Massachusetts’ sex offense laws. A conviction could have consequences that follow you for life, including having your name on the sex offender registry, which can impact your ability to find a job and housing. Working with a qualified sex crimes defense lawyer from the beginning of your case is the best way to protect your rights. Contact Spring & Spring 24/7 for a free and 100% confidential case review.