Sex crimes involving a number of criminal charges, including sexual assault, indecent exposure, prostitution and the possession of child pornography. The vast majority of these offenses constitute a felony. If you’ve been charged with a sex crime, you can rely on our 20 years of courtroom experience.
charges
Child Molestation
Child molestation charges can be filed anytime there is illegal sexual activity involving a minor child below the age of 18. A child molestation crime is a felony, and the penalties are very strict. If you are convicted of child molestation, you will face prison time and be required to register in a federal sex offender registry. This will follow you for the rest of your life.
Child Pornography
Child pornography involves the creation, distribution, sharing, or storing of any illicit images or videos containing minor children under the age of eighteen. Charges are often leveled against the individuals responsible for the creation, or distribution of, child pornography, but these are not the only cases. You can be charged with child pornography simply because you downloaded or accessed an image on your computer, or phone.
Criminal Sexual Misconduct
In the state of Minnesota, there are six degrees of criminal sexual misconduct. The most serious charge is first-degree criminal sexual misconduct. The degree of a sexual misconduct charged is based on a variety of factors, including injury, level of threat, and age of both the victim and the defendant.
Indecent Exposure
Many people who are charged with indecent exposure had no intention of hurting anyone. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t face serious charges, or harsh punishments. An act of indecent exposure can be charged as a misdemeanor, or a felony. In some cases, it may even qualify as a sex crime.
Prostitution
It is a crime to exchange sexual activity for money or any other compensation. Prostitution is a serious offense that can result in very harsh penalties. In the state of Minnesota, prostitution is divided into five different categories. In any case involving prostitution, charges can be leveled against the prostitute, the patron and the pimp.
Rape
Rape is one of the most serious, and aggressively prosecuted, crimes. A rape conviction can mean years in prison, and many destroyed relationships. The social stigma attached to any rape charge can leave you “guilty” long before the case is ever tried.
Sexual Assault
First-degree criminal sexual conduct is the most serious sexual assault charge, and involves forced penetration. This crime is more commonly referred to as rape. Other sexual assault charges do not require any penetration to take place. For example, you can be charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct if you forcefully commit, or attempt to commit, any sexual act.
Solicitation of a Minor
Solicitation of a minor refers to any attempt to pursue a sexual encounter with an individual under the age of eighteen. This can include a wide variety of behavior, including texting, emailing, or online chatting in a sexually suggestive way with a minor. In most cases, solicitation of a minor occurs when there is the potential of meeting the minor victim at some point.
Statutory Rape
Statutory rape is often treated harshly, even when the circumstances of the case seem innocent. Since it is classified as a sex crime, society often condemns the defendant – and the prosecution seeks the most severe punishment possible. Statutory rape cases can be very complicated because the older party often believes the victim consented. In some cases, the defendant may not even be aware of the victim’s actual age. The law does not take exception to this lack of knowledge.