Sex crime accusations represent a triple threat. A conviction may carry mandatory time in prison. The felony record itself has long-term consequences. And there is the burden and the stigma of registering as a sex offender for the rest of your life. The most serious sex offenders serve years in prison but are never released – following their prison sentence, they are “civilly committed” as sexually dangerous persons at the Massachusetts Treatment Center for the rest of their lives. If you have been accused of sex crimes, it is important to speak with a Concord sex offense defense lawyer. Call Attorney Chris Spring today at (617) 513-9444.
Attorney Spring understands what is at stake for clients charged with sex offenses. In many cases, pleading guilty, even to a lesser charge, is out of the question because of the devastating collateral consequences. Attorney Spring has successfully defended individuals charged with raping children, committing lewd and lascivious acts, and possessing child pornography.
If you have been arrested or believe you are under investigation for sex offenses, do not talk to investigators before you consult with a Middlesex County sex offenses attorney. Contact Attorney Chris Spring today to schedule a free consultation at your home. Attorney Spring represents clients in every city and town in Middlesex, Essex, Worcester, Suffolk, and Norfolk Counties.
Before dedicating his career to representing people charged with crimes, Chris Spring served as an assistant district attorney in Middlesex County. He spent years prosecuting these types of cases, and he now uses that experience to aggressively defend his clients charged with sex offenses. Attorney Spring is familiar with every type of sex offense and the life-changing penalties that his clients potentially face:
Contact our sex crime lawyer today for immediate legal assistance and representation.
Massachusetts sex crimes are complex. The specifics of the circumstances surrounding the alleged offense can affect the classification of the crime as a misdemeanor or felony, or even whether the alleged conduct is criminal. It’s important to carefully review the criminal charges against you and the specific allegations to determine whether such charges are proper.
Answers to the following questions can affect a sex crime charge:
Sex crimes that involve sexual penetration are punished more harshly than those that only include touching or other sexual contact. For example, a charge for rape requires showing sexual intercourse, which requires penetration.
Sexual offenses involving minors are prosecuted more aggressively and can result in much harsher penalties than those that do not. A conviction for a sex crime involving a minor could result in life in prison.
Whether a weapon was used in the commission of the act can affect the type of sex crime that is charged, as well as possible penalties. For example, if an alleged rape occurred that involved a gun, a conviction requires a mandatory minimum prison sentence of ten years. When a weapon is used during a criminal act, it is often considered a violent crime.
Another factor that can impact the types of sex crimes that are charged is whether force or coercion was involved. For example, aggravated rape occurs in some instances when the defendant compelled another person to submit by force or threat of bodily injury.
If the alleged victim suffered serious bodily injury in an act of rape, the offense can be considered aggravated. The same can occur for other types of sex crime offenses.
If the age difference between the defendant and the alleged victim is slight, there may be no crime, or prosecutors may opt not to file charges. However, if the age difference is more significant, the case may be prosecuted.
Sometimes, the relationship between the accused and the alleged victim can affect whether any criminal charges are brought. For example, if a law enforcement officer has sexual intercourse with a person in their charge, they can face rape charges, even if the sexual conduct would have been considered consensual under other circumstances. This is because the law presumes that people in this situation are unable to provide consent.
Sex offense lawyers understand how these factors can affect the charges against you. We can carefully review the exact charges against you and see if there are any errors in the charging documents. We can also offer legal advice on how to respond to these charges. Fill out our online contact form today to arrange a confidential consultation with an experienced sex crime lawyer. Our initial consultations are free.
A sex crime conviction can have a lasting impact on a criminal defendant’s freedom and reputation. Possible penalties include:
Penalties for sex crimes in Massachusetts are harsh. Many carry possible terms of imprisonment of 20 years in state prison. Subsequent convictions can result in life in prison.
If you are convicted of a sex crime, you can be required to register as a sex offender with the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board. The board compiles a list of people who have been convicted of various sex crimes and classifies them to educate the public about their perceived threat. Registration requires you to provide the following information in a public forum:
You must provide the board with your Social Security number, fingerprints, and any other information it deems useful in assessing your risk level.
Registration ranges from 20 years to life, depending on the type of sex offense you are convicted of. Registration for 20 years is necessary if you are convicted of a single sex offense or you committed the offense when you were a juvenile. Lifetime registration is required if the offense involved a child, is considered a violent offense, or you have prior convictions.
While on the sex offender registration list, you will be classified as a Level One, Two, or Three sex offender. The Sex Offender Registry Board recommends which classification you should receive based on your criminal history, the nature of the crime, the victim’s characteristics, the degree of harm, and other factors. These classifications are broken down as follows:
You can also be required to pay expensive fines as a penalty for the crimes you are convicted of.
In addition to the serious penalties discussed above, you can face additional penalties and collateral consequences if you are convicted of a sex crime. You can be ordered to lengthy terms of probation, which may include GPS monitoring with electronic devices. You can also be court-ordered to attend psychotherapy.
Many people who are convicted of sex crimes find their opportunities for employment, housing, and education limited.
If you are accused of a sex crime, it is important that you stay calm and remember your rights, which include:
Attorney Spring knows there is usually more to the alleged victim’s story, especially when the alleged victim and the accused know each other or when the allegations are being made by children. Was the sex consensual? Was there a dating relationship? Were alcohol or drugs involved? Did the alleged acts even occur? Does the alleged victim or the alleged victim’s parent have a motive to fabricate accusations?
Accurately answering the questions above may help criminal defense lawyers build an effective defense on your behalf. When you are accused of rape, child pornography, or other sexual misconduct, experienced sex offense attorneys can examine the specific facts and circumstances surrounding your charges and consider the best defense strategy to use, which may include:
Concord criminal defense attorney Chris Spring will sometimes negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce charges to a lesser offense that eliminates the possibility of prison time or sex offender registration. However, he always examines the case with the goal of getting charges dismissed entirely. Otherwise, Attorney Spring will prepare to take your case to trial. He has successfully defended every type of sex offense.