Criminal Consequences of Sex with a Minor

Sex with a minor is a crime in the United States. Each state has different criminal law codes that carry different penalties. The age of the minor, the perpetrator and the circumstances of the act will determine the penalties associated with each case.

Criminal Penalties for Having Sex with a Minor

If you are convicted of a sex crime such as sex with a minor, you could face imprisonment, fines, probation, mandatory counseling or mandated sexual offender registration. The court has some discretion in each case as to the severity of a punishment, but there may be a mandatory minimum if you are convicted of a crime. Depending on your state's law, the following factors will be considered if you are facing charges for having sex with a minor:

• Age of the alleged victim. More serious penalties are often allowed if the victim was fourteen or thirteen or even younger. The age of consent or minority can be different in different states.
• Prior criminal history can play a large roll in the outcome of your case. Steeper penalties are generally allowed for repeat offenders.
• There are a number of crimes that may be charged including child molestation, statutory rape and sexual assault. They are all sex crimes and carry heavy penalties.
• Whether or not you were aware of the age of the minor is often not a defense to a sex with a minor charge. Discuss the viability of this and other possible defenses with your lawyer.

Sex crimes carry with them a stigma that can permanently damage your reputation. It may be hard to secure some kinds of employment after a sex crime conviction. Your face may appear on an Internet site or a public record indicating that you are a sex offender. Your address may also be made public. Avoid these possible consequences by preparing a proper defense to sex offense charges.

Getting Legal Help

If you are facing charges as a result of having sex with a minor, it is a good idea to talk to a criminal defense attorney who handles sexual offense cases in your jurisdiction. An attorney can help you fight the charges that have been made against you. You will need the assistance of an attorney to properly defend yourself against such serious accusations. No matter the circumstances, you will be better off with an experienced attorney who understands the criminal justice system, criminal law and criminal procedure.