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Phoenix Child Molestation Lawyer

Phoenix Child Molestation LawyerHave you been taken into police custody on suspicion of molesting a minor in Phoenix, Arizona?

If so, you would be wise to begin taking steps to make it as challenging as possible for the prosecutor to transform your charge into a criminal conviction.

You can start by reaching out to an experienced Phoenix child molestation lawyer, like Craig Orent, who has years of experience handling all kinds of sex crimes.

Why You Should Hire a Phoenix Child Molestation Defense Lawyer

woman handcuffed

At the Orent Law Offices, we have a proud history of fighting for the people of Phoenix in their hour of need. When you hire us to defend you against your child molestation charge, our Phoenix criminal defense attorney will:

Protect Your Constitutional Rights

The Constitution of the United States affords all Arizona residents a set of inalienable rights that stop the government from interfering in their life.

When investigating and arresting you on suspicion of child molestation, police officers must respect those rights. Unfortunately, they do not always do so.

Over the years, attorney Craig Orent has become adept at the art of spotting constitutional rights violations as they occur. Should he see any during the course of your case, he will intervene immediately. If necessary, he will even raise the matter with the presiding judge.

Search for Exculpatory Evidence

Quite often, the best way to convince a judge or prosecutor to throw out a child molestation or sexual abuse case is to prove that it would not be possible for you to have committed the crime. However, if you wish to use this defense technique, you will need to gather a myriad of evidentiary materials, like:

  • Surveillance camera footage
  • Witness testimony
  • Communication records
  • GPS data

Attorney Craig Orent has been helping his clients locate evidence for many years. He knows who to consult with and where to look to find all of these materials. When you enlist his services, he will be happy to assist you with your search.

Negotiate with the Prosecution

During your child molestation case, the prosecuting attorney might reach out to offer you a plea bargain deal. Unfortunately, the terms outlined in their initial proposal are likely to be quite harsh. To have them put forth a more lenient deal, a period of negotiation might be necessary.

During his lengthy legal career, attorney Craig Orent has negotiated a plethora of plea bargain deals with local prosecutors. As such, he knows what it takes to persuade them to be a little more lenient. If you hire him, he will use this knowledge to try to secure a favorable deal for you.

Do you want to have an experienced Phoenix criminal defense attorney from our law firm assist you with your Arizona child molestation case? If so, please do not hesitate to give us a call or send us a message to schedule a free consultation at our offices in Phoenix. We know how to win cases like yours and are ready to go to battle on your behalf.

Defining Child Molestation Under Arizona Law

According to Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1410, it is unlawful for a person to intentionally or knowingly engage in sexual contact with a child who is younger than 15 years of age. It is not illegal, under this law, for a person to engage in sexual contact with the female breast of a minor.

When Arizona police officers find someone violating ARS § 13-1410, they can take that individual into custody and charge them with the molestation of a child.

The state of Arizona categorizes this sex offense as a class 2 felony. However, because it involves an alleged victim that is below the age of 15, it is also a dangerous crime against children. This designation opens offenders up to extraordinarily severe penalties.

Were you recently charged with child molestation in Phoenix, AZ? If so, please contact the skilled criminal defense lawyers at the Orent Law Offices today. Our team has been working on child molestation cases for years – and we are ready to use our experience to defend you against the state’s accusations.

Consequences of Child Molestation Convictions in Arizona

When the state of Arizona finds a Phoenix resident guilty of a crime such as child molestation, it penalizes them in two different ways – by sending them to prison and by mandating that they register as a sex offender.

Criminal Punishments After Child Molestation Convictions

Child molestation is a class 2 felony in Arizona. The typical sentence for offenses of this nature in the Grand Canyon State is as follows:

  • Up to 12.5 years in state prison
  • A fine of up to $150,000
  • A permanent criminal record

However, state law also classifies child molestation as a dangerous crime against children. This designation significantly increases the amount of time an individual can spend in prison if convicted of this offense.

First-time offenders may face the following terms of imprisonment:

  • Minimum sentence of 10 years in state prison
  • Presumptive sentence of 17 years in state prison
  • Maximum sentence of 24 years in state prison

For offenders with at least one previous predicate felony on their record, the potential terms of imprisonment increase to:

  • Minimum sentence of 21 years in state prison
  • Presumptive sentence of 28 years in state prison
  • Maximum sentence of 35 years in state prison

When the state of Arizona convicts someone of a dangerous crime against children, that individual must serve their entire prison term. It is not possible to secure early release for crimes of this nature.

Sex Offender Registration After Child Molestation Convictions

When it finds a person guilty of child molestation, Arizona does not just send them to prison. It also requires them to register as sexual offenders.

Offenders must typically register within ten days of being released from prison. In most cases, Arizona law requires them to remain on the registry for the rest of their lives.

Registered sex offenders in the state of Arizona must adhere to a set of strict rules and regulations. The most common restrictions are:

  • Notification Requirements: Registered sex offenders in the state of Arizona often have to tell their neighbors about their status.
  • Residential Restrictions: The state of Arizona does not permit sex offenders to live near schools.
  • Employment Restrictions: Sex offenders cannot work in any roles that cause them to interact with children or vulnerable adults.
  • Communication Restrictions: Registered sex offenders in the state of Arizona cannot communicate with any minors without seeking prior consent.
  • Alcohol Restrictions: Arizona law forbids many registered sex offenders to drink alcohol.
  • Computer Monitoring: State and local police officers have the ability to monitor the computer activities of registered sexual offenders.

Attorney Craig Orent knows how terrifying the consequences of a child molestation conviction can be. That is why he works tirelessly every day to try to help his clients avoid them. If you would like to have him stand up and fight for you, all you have to do is give us a call or contact us online at your earliest convenience.

Defenses Against Phoenix Child Molestation Charges

When Phoenix residents face child molestation charges, they often think that it is just a matter of time before the prosecution convicts them. In reality, however, this is rarely the case. With the help of an effective defense strategy, they can frequently get their charges dismissed or reduced.

A short sampling of some of the most commonly used molestation defenses would include:

Lack of Evidence

Arizona prosecutors must present evidence to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt if they wish to secure a conviction. If a defense attorney can successfully argue that the state did not present enough evidence, they may be able to convince the jury to render a not guilty verdict.

Unintentional Sexual Contact

To convict a Phoenix resident of child molestation, prosecutors must show that they intentionally or knowingly engaged in sexual conduct or contact with a minor. If a lawyer can prove that the touching was accidental, they should have no trouble getting the case thrown out.

False Allegations

It is, unfortunately, not at all uncommon for one parent to accuse the other of child abuse or molestation while working through a contentious custody battle. If an attorney can prove this deception, they may be able to get their client’s charge dismissed.

Would you like to have a skilled chile molestation attorney devise an effective defense strategy for you? Then please contact Craig Orent and his team at the Orent Law Offices in Phoenix today. We have an in-depth understanding of Arizona law and would be happy to assist you in any way we can.

The Premier Child Molestation Lawyer in Phoenix, AZ

When the people of Phoenix need an experienced lawyer to defend them against sex crime charges, they know they can always rely on the Orent Law Offices. We have been handling cases of this nature for years – achieving a plethora of favorable results along the way. To have us use our knowledge and skill to assist you with your child molestation case, all you have to do is pick up the phone and give us a call.

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Orent Law Offices, PLC

11811 N. Tatum Blvd. STE 3031

Phoenix, Arizona 85028

(480) 656-7301

 

Orent Law Offices Phoenix Criminal Defense Law Firm

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