Charged with Statutory Rape: How to Protect Your Rights

Statutory rape refers to a sexual act with an individual whose age is below 16 years. Cases involving the touching or holding of the sexual organ of a minor on purpose are also considered as statutory rape. The rape charges can be filed against you even if the sexual act was done with the consent of the minor. If the age of the minor is below 14 years, then the penalties are more severe with longer jail term and hefty monetary fine amounts. Under the federal laws, statutory rape is considered to be a strict liability crime and hence the offender will be held responsible for the problems caused to the minor.

Legal Consequences

Various strata of people like prosecutors, social workers, child rights protectors, police officers and many will investigate such cases rigorously. The accusation can ruin your life by spoiling your personal and professional reputation and you may even be shunned by the society. Since you do not have the support of others, your rights may be violated during the process of investigation. Penalties for this charge can be up to 15 years of imprisonment and registration with the sexual offenders’ registry for life time. Therefore, these legal consequences can be more devastating if you are not aware of your rights.

Rights of the Accused

All people with criminal charges have certain basic rights such as right of due process, protection from illegal seizures, protection from double jeopardy, right to fair and speedy public trial, and right to trial by jury as per the Bill of Rights in the US constitution.

Protect your Rights

• Educate yourself about the legal rights so that you can protest or seek support when they are violated.
• You have all legal rights to be represented by an attorney; so hire a sex crime defense attorney for defending your lawsuit and for protecting your human rights during the entire process of interrogation, trial and seizure.
• Remain silent during interrogation in the absence of your attorney.
• Confront the witnesses testifying against you to present the actual fact without any exaggeration.
• Enquire about the charges levied against you so that you can defend in the case of false charges and also negotiate for a lesser charge.

Getting Legal Advice

When you are involved in a statutory rape lawsuit, you have to hire a sex crime or criminal defense lawyer. Such a lawyer will certainly provide you with appropriate legal advice, negotiate charges and strongly defend your case.