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Were you arrested on sexual assault charges in the Phoenix area? It’s important to aggressively defend your rights to protect your future.
Don’t jeopardize your freedom by wasting another minute. Call an experienced Phoenix Sexual Assault Defense Lawyer at Orent Law Offices, PLC for a free consultation today.
Facing a criminal charge is never easy. A sexual assault and battery charge can be even more overwhelming.
The prosecution will do everything they can to win–and in a sex crimes case, they often have a clear advantage. The stigma of the allegations alone can make you feel guilty before a trial has even begun.
When you choose Orent Law Offices, PLC to protect your rights, you’ll have more than 30 years of defense experience in your corner. Our law firm has proven time and time again that we have what it takes to successfully defend even the most serious of crimes.
Here are just some of the ways an experienced Phoenix criminal defense lawyer can work to minimize the fallout in your case:
Importantly, we have a track record of winning where it matters most–in the courtroom. We might negotiate to reach a plea bargain that works to your advantage, but we’re always prepared to fiercely defend you at trial.
When you’re facing the most serious choices of your life, don’t trust an inexperienced attorney or public defender with your future. Our founding attorney is a certified Arizona State Bar Criminal Law Specialist. We’re ready to put these skills to work for you. Just give our law offices a call to schedule your free consultation today.
Sexual assault is defined under Arizona Criminal Code Section 13-1406. In Arizona, sexual assault is the legal term for rape.
Sexual assault and battery charges can be based on a range of actions–and it’s important that you know what you’re up against.
You can be charged with sexual assault for intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact without the other person’s consent.
“Consent” is a key issue in any sexual assault case. The prosecution might try to show that consent was lacking if the victim was:
In most cases, sexual assault is a class two felony in Arizona. The charges can be elevated in a number of circumstances. Sometimes, sexual assault/battery charges are charged in addition to another crime.
Regardless of the specifics, it’s always important to hire the best criminal defense attorney possible when you’re facing sexual assault charges. When your future is hanging in the balance, your lawyer’s skill and dedication can make or break your case.
Assault and battery are two different charges, both in the criminal and civil context. When a violent crime or personal injury is alleged, assault and battery usually go hand in hand. In the civil assault context, you might be required to compensate the victim for things like medical expenses and lost wages. In criminal assault cases, your freedom is literally on the line.
Assault is the act that puts the victim in fear of physical danger. Battery is the actual physical contact that causes the battery plaintiff physical harm.
The law in Phoenix, AZ merges assault and battery together in the criminal code’s definition of sexual assault.
Sexual assault is a class 2 felony. Under Arizona law, a presumptive minimum and presumptive maximum sentence will come into play. If it’s your first offense, that means you could serve between 5.25 years and 15 years in prison if convicted of sexual assault. The presumptive sentence will be seven years.
For repeat offenders, the following sentence ranges:
The presumptive minimum and maximum terms can also be increased by three years if you’re convicted of using the date rape drug in committing the crime.
Prosecutors and judges also consider a range of “aggravating factors” that can lead to even harsher punishment. Most of those aggravating factors are spelled out in Arizona Criminal Code Section 13-701.
You can face the maximum prison sentence if the prosecutor can prove:
The Arizona criminal justice system takes crimes involving children extremely seriously. If you were at least 18 and the victim was under the age of 13, you’ll face life in prison without possibility of parole. You can also face enhanced sentencing if the victim was younger than 15.
If you’re convicted on sexual assault/battery charges in Phoenix, you’ll also be required to register as a sex offender. Megan’s Law sex offender registry requirements can last a lifetime.
You’ll be required to provide certain information, including:
This information is available to the public. It can impact your ability to get a job, find housing, or even take out a bank loan.
As a crime that’s often considered an act of domestic violence, you might also face limitations if you’re served with a restraining order.
At Orent Law Offices, PLC, we take an aggressive approach to every case we take on. That means we’ll immediately go to work to identify all available defense strategies that might work in your case.
Every case is unique. We give every client the personal attention they deserve–so that your rape defense strategy will be custom-tailored to the specific facts of your case. We’ll identify technical defenses, evidentiary issues, and any strategy that can be used in your favor.
A comprehensive sexual assault defense strategy might include one or more of the following:
In modern sexual assault cases, the prosecution might be relying upon DNA or other scientific evidence. We know how to challenge the reliability of this evidence. On the other hand, we might be able to present our own scientific evidence if the prosecution’s case lacks physical evidence–as they often do.
Sometimes, the prosecution relies heavily upon statements made by your accuser and other witnesses. Unfortunately, false allegations are common in sexual assault/battery cases. Challenging your accuser’s motivation can create the reasonable doubt we need to beat the charges.
Our sexual assault/battery attorneys may be able to question the accuser’s motives based upon:
Accusers in sexual assault cases often know the defendant personally. Consent is almost always an issue in these cases. Despite this, it can be tough to prove what actually happened.
At Orent Law Offices, PLC, our seasoned Phoenix sexual assault defense lawyers conduct an exhaustive pre-trial investigation to get the facts. That means analyzing the prosecution’s evidence, interviewing witnesses, visiting the crime scene, and working with experts to strengthen your defense.
If you’ve already been arrested–or suspect that you’re under investigation–don’t wait another minute. Call to schedule your free case evaluation today.
Sexual assault and battery charges are among the most serious you can ever face. At Orent Law Offices, PLC, our defense attorneys have the solid understanding of the criminal justice system that you need. Call or contact an experienced Phoenix sexual assault defense lawyer at our law firm for a free consultation today.