The mere accusation of a sex crime can lead to reputational harm. Sex offenders are often seen as more than criminals. To many, they represent an ongoing public danger, even after they serve their time. Anyone charged with a sex crime can rely on a White Plains sex crime lawyer to fight their charges. A White Plains criminal defense lawyer can scrutinize the evidence used against their client to develop an effective strategy for having charges dropped or reduced.
The criminal defense team at Greco Neyland, PC, isn’t afraid to take on complex and serious sex crime cases. We believe that everyone has the right to a strong defense that puts the burden on prosecutors to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
A strategic defense can challenge the prosecution’s case by uncovering the full context of the incident and introducing reasonable doubt about the charges. Any steps we take that weaken the prosecution’s case can improve your chances of a favorable resolution to your charges. If the prosecution does not offer a fair solution, we can argue your case before a judge or jury.
Sex crimes in New York include a wide range of offenses, with rape being just one of them. There are varying degrees of rape that are prosecuted as felonies. Factors that can lead to harsher penalties include the age of the victim and the degree of violence used during the offense. Aggravated sexual abuse can involve various forms of penetration, including the use of foreign objects.
Other common sex crimes that result in felony charges are:
Several sex crimes are generally prosecuted as misdemeanors in New York. These include sexual misconduct, forcible touching, and sexual abuse. The offense commonly known as indecent exposure is called public lewdness in New York, and it is typically a misdemeanor offense.
New York takes a zero-tolerance approach to prosecuting sex crimes, and prosecutors often seek the harshest penalties under the law. Many sex crimes can result in serious jail or prison sentences, and certain felony convictions can lead to mandatory minimum sentences.
Once a sentence is served, a sex crime conviction can lead to restrictions on where a sex offender can live, work, or visit. Anyone convicted of a sex crime offense must register as a sex offender in New York. Any offender who moves to New York from an outside jurisdiction must register within 10 days. New York classifies sex offenders into three levels based on the offender’s perceived risk to the community.
New York’s Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders can add one of three designations to the offender’s classification: sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predicate sex offender. These classifications govern how long the offender must remain registered as a sex offender.
A sex crime charge is a serious accusation that could lead to the loss of your freedom and reputation. A criminal defense attorney can compellingly advocate in your favor, investing the time and legal resources needed to prove that you did not commit the crime you are accused of.
An attorney can closely examine the evidence used against you to find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. If the victim is an adult, your lawyer can consider their testimony and any past relationship you had with them to determine if the acts were truly non-consensual. In some cases, you may have been misidentified as the perpetrator.
If the prosecution does not have sufficient evidence to prove that you committed a crime beyond a reasonable doubt, your lawyer can call for your charges to be reduced or dropped in White Plains. In some cases, a strong defense can lead prosecutors to offer a favorable plea bargain, which can allow you to put the entire ordeal behind you.
A: Any defendant can have a strong defense through the work of a criminal defense attorney. Defending against a sex crime requires examining the evidence used by prosecutors for weaknesses and inconsistencies. By gathering additional evidence that shows how the elements of the offense are not met, your attorney can build an argument to secure a favorable outcome to the case.
A: One defense strategy involves arguing that either no crime was committed or that you were misidentified as the assailant. If the alleged sexual crime was consensual and between two adults, a criminal defense attorney could argue that criminal charges are not warranted. If the victim is a past romantic partner, that could complicate the prosecution’s case, particularly if the victim has a motive for maligning the defendant’s reputation.
A: A sex crime lawyer represents defendants who are accused of committing sex crimes. In New York, sex crimes are a special class of criminal offense that requires strong evidence, criminal intent, and reliable victim statements. By working to question whether the incident contained the elements of an offense, a sex crime lawyer can pursue outcomes that help their client avoid serious punishments.
A: Sex crime cases in New York are investigated through a combination of law enforcement procedures, forensic analysis, and legal scrutiny. Police typically begin by interviewing the accuser, gathering statements from witnesses, and collecting any physical evidence, such as medical reports or surveillance footage. Law enforcement may use forensic tools, like DNA testing, to corroborate allegations.
Being charged with a sex crime can be an unsettling and profoundly stressful ordeal. It is important to remember that being charged with a crime does not mean that you are guilty of that crime.
The criminal defense team at Greco Neyland, PC, is not intimidated by the tactics used by prosecutors. We can methodically focus on the evidence at hand and uncover new evidence to weaken the state’s case against you. To start the process, contact our office today to schedule your criminal defense consultation.