How To Find an Attorney for Sex Crimes

This content contains sensitive subject matter related to legal defense for crimes of a sexual nature.

It can be terrifying to be arrested for a sex crime. Suspects in sex crime investigations are often treated like they are guilty even when facing false accusations. The penalties for a sex crime conviction are severe and can include prison sentences, fines, and sex offender registration.

Take any accusations of a sexual offense seriously. Sex crime laws are different in every state. Talk to a criminal defense attorney who understands local sex offense laws for legal advice about how they can help with your sex crime charges.

Sex Crime Overview

Sex crimes are criminal charges that involve sex as an element of the offense. Sex crime cases can involve unlawful sexual conduct or sexual activity with a minor. Types of sex crimes include:

• Rape, sexual assault, and sexual abuse
• Child pornography
• Statutory rape, child molestation, and lewd behavior with a minor
• Indecent exposure
• Solicitation

Penalties for sex crimes can include jail time, fines, and being placed on the sex offender registry. Sex crime defense strategies can include showing that the alleged victim consented to the sexual contact, the physical evidence was not properly collected or analyzed, or there was an unlawful search or seizure by law enforcement. Talk to your lawyer for more information on how to defend against sexual misconduct charges.

Ways To Find a Sex Crime Attorney

It can be difficult to know where to start when looking for a lawyer when facing sex crime allegations. Here are some options to help you search for an attorney for help defending against sex crime charges.

Online Search for ‘Sex Crime Defense Attorney’

A Google search for “sex crime defense lawyer” may turn up plenty of results, but how can you find the right one to help you? Many of the top results are sponsored ads that might not be helpful for your situation. Some may be general listings with lawyers who aren’t in your area.

You can also use legal resource websites, like LawInfo, for both legal resources and finding attorneys in your area that handle cases just like yours. You can search by region or legal practice area to make sure you find a local lawyer with experience defending people facing sex crime allegations.

Should I Talk to Family and Friends?

You might not have a problem asking friends, family, or co-workers about recommendations for a housekeeper or babysitter. However, it may be harder to ask for help after being accused of a sex crime.

If you feel comfortable, you can ask friends or family about a lawyer or law office they recommend to handle criminal defense cases. If they had a good experience with a certain attorney, you could ask for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.

State Bar Association or Local County Public Defender Office

State bar associations handle licensing and legal requirements for attorneys who practice in the state. Most state bar associations also have a lawyer referral service for prospective clients. You can look at your state bar association website for more information. Referrals may offer a set fee for a consultation or listings of lawyers in certain practice areas.

Also, public defenders represent a large number of individuals who face sex crime charges and have a great deal of experience taking these cases to trial. You can call your local public defender office and ask for the chief public defender. They will usually have a great sense of who would be a strong attorney due to their daily interaction with other professionals in the courtroom.

Finding the Right Lawyer for Your Case

When you go in for your initial consultation with a lawyer, be prepared with some basic questions. Make sure you find the right lawyer for your case. If you don’t feel comfortable with the first lawyer you talk to, talk to someone else. Ask some common questions about the case, like:

• What are the possible penalties regarding, prison, probation, sex offender registration, and fines if I’m convicted?
• What other collateral consequences outside of criminal penalties will I face?
• If a law enforcement officer, social worker, or another person calls me to talk about my case what should I do?
• What other information do you need from me to help you prepare my defense at trial?
• Should I plead my case down to a lesser offense?
• How much experience do you have litigating sex crime cases?
• Have you ever actually tried a criminal sex offense case before a jury? How many, what were the results, or have you only negotiated plea deals?
• How familiar are you with the judges, probation officers, and prosecutors in this county and how they operate?
• Do you have experience trying these types of cases in juvenile court? Do you have experience handling juveniles being charged as adults?
• What is a sex offender assessment and is this something I should do ahead of court, even if I’m innocent?
• What other types of psychological or treatment assessments may be helpful to voluntarily participate in, if any, to help my case?
• Do you charge an hourly rate or a flat fee? Does the flat fee include all stages of the proceedings, or going to trial cost more? Will scientific experts cost extra?
• How will you keep me updated on my case?
• Does your firm have access to a defense investigator, paralegal, or other lawyers who can help with my case?

Using LawInfo’s attorney directory to find a sex crime defense lawyer in your area can help you get started on finding an attorney for sex crime cases.