Sex Crime Lawyers in the Jackson MS Area

Sexual battery, rape, statutory rape and other sex crimes associated can land you in prison for an extended period of time, if convicted. Whether you’re facing a sexual battery charge involving an allegedly incapacitated victim or a statutory rape charge, your first move needs to be getting in touch with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Sexual battery felony charges can impact your freedom and your future. A variety of circumstances can complicate these cases, and emotions can run high, so it’s essential to have an advocate on your side, fighting for your rights and for your freedom.

Sexual Battery, M.C.A. Sections 97-3-95 to 97-3-101

Sexual battery is defined and outlined under Mississippi Code Sections 97-3-95 through 97-3-101. These crimes involve sexual acts, including traditional penetration and a variety of other potentially illicit or unwanted sexual encounters. Sexual battery can also apply in cases involving statutory rape. In most cases, charges associated with sexual battery are felonies. Charges associated with vulnerable victims are also very serious. These cases usually involve victims who are physically helpless or mentally incapacities. There are also charges that involve cases where the alleged perpetrator is a person of authority or in a position of trust. If convicted, you could be facing more than one year in prison, and potentially up to 30 or 40, depending upon the unique circumstances of your individual case.

The Four Types of Sex Crimes

Rape is the most severe type of sex crime. It involves forcing a person to engage in sexual intercourse without his or her consent. Rape is a Class 1 felony, which means that it carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

Sexual assault is a sex crime that involves forcing a person to engage in sexual intercourse. Sexual assault is a Class 2 felony, which means it carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Sexual battery is another sex crime that involves touching someone without his or her consent. This can include touching people's private parts or forcing them to touch your private parts. It is also called sexual battery and sexual molestation, which are Class 3 felonies. These carry maximum sentences of seven years in prison.

Voyeurism involves secretly watching someone without his or her consent. Voyeurism is a Class 4 felony and carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

Can You Represent Yourself in a Sex Crimes Case? 

Sex crime cases are serious and should not be taken lightly. If you are facing criminal charges over a sex crime, you must have an experienced sex crimes attorney on your side. Benches do not always have the best record of getting convictions for sex crimes. This is because the victims in these cases often do not want to testify against their alleged assailants.

Some people who are accused of a sex crime choose to represent themselves, which can be a very costly mistake. Being found guilty of certain sex crimes could find you sentenced to decades or even life in prison. An experienced criminal defense attorney will know what type of evidence can be used against you and what parts of your defense strategy must be executed perfectly for your case to go as smoothly as possible.