Top Waimanalo, HI Statutory Rape Lawyers Near You
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Honolulu, HI
Experienced injury attorney and criminal lawyer in Hawaii
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Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
841 Bishop Street, Suite 2201, Honolulu, HI 96813
Michael Jay Green and Associates, Inc., a reputable Statutory Rape firm in Hawaii, serves the Waimanalo area.
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Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
1001 Bishop St., Suite 1330, Honolulu, HI 96813
Practical Statutory Rape legal help. Representing Waimanalo, Hawaii clients.
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Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
Topa Financial Center, 700 Bishop Street, Ste. 2100, Honolulu, HI 96813
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
1003 Bishop Street, Pauahi Tower #2550, Honolulu, HI 96813
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Kailua Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
349 Illiania Street, Kailua, HI 96734
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
Davies Pacific Center, 841 Bishop St., Suite 410, Honolulu, HI 96813
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
700 Bishop Street, Suite 2000, Honolulu, HI 96813
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
707 Richards St, Suite 625, Honolulu, HI 96813
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
851 Fort St. Suite 400, Honolulu, HI 96813
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
Dillingham Transportation Bldg, 735 Bishop St., Suite 304, Honolulu, HI 96813
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
1100 Alakea St, Alakea Corporate Tower, 20th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
Haseko Center, 820 Mililani St., Suite 714, Honolulu, HI 96813
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
Davies Pacific Center, 841 Bishop St., Suite 2022, Honolulu, HI 96813
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
1088 Bishop St, Penthouse, Honolulu, HI 96813
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
Tissue Genesis Tower, 810 Richards Street, Suite 335, Honolulu, HI 96813-2902
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
1001 Bishop Street, Suite 1800, Honolulu, HI 96813
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
Davies Pacific Center, 841 Bishop Street, Suite 1715, Honolulu, HI 96813
Statutory Rape Lawyers | Honolulu Office | Serving Waimanalo, HI
1003 Bishop St, Suite 2150, Honolulu, HI 96813
Waimanalo Statutory Rape Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Statutory Rape attorneys in Waimanalo and checks their standing with Hawaii bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria- Ample Experience Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
- Good Standing Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
- Annual Review Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.
- Client Commitment Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
What Is Statutory Rape?
Statutory rape is sexual intercourse or sexual contact with someone who is below the age of consent (which varies from state to state). Someone below the age of consent cannot legally consent to a sexual relationship, even if they give verbal consent. It is not up to the underage individual whether or not to press statutory rape charges. The prosecutor can charge a defendant with statutory rape offenses without the alleged victim’s consent.
The penalties for statutory rape depend on the jurisdiction. Statutory rape can be charged as rape, sexual abuse of a minor, or other sexual offenses. Criminal penalties may depend on a number of aggravating and mitigating factors, including:
- Age of the victim
- Age difference between the parties involved
- Type of sexual activity
- Giving the victim alcohol or drugs
How Is Rape Different From Statutory Rape?
Rape is unlawful sexual intercourse. Rape can be committed through force, coercion, or when the victim cannot give consent. For example, someone who is passed out or drugged may not have the mental state to consent to sexual penetration. With statutory rape, the victim cannot give consent because the law does not consider them to be old enough to give legal consent.
With underage sexual intercourse, it does not matter what the underage person does or says. The underage individual may be encouraging or pursuing sex but they still cannot give legal consent. If the underage person says they will not tell anyone, the defendant can still be charged if law enforcement officers find out about the sexual relationship.
In some cases, parents or guardians may be okay with a sexual relationship between the defendant and their minor child. However, it does not matter if the parents give consent or the victim says that it is okay. If a teacher, counselor, or other friend’s parent finds out about the sexual relationship and reports it, the police can still make an arrest for rape or sexual assault.
What Is the Age of Consent?
The age of consent is 16 to 18, depending on the state. However, the defendant’s age may also be considered in statutory rape charges. There may need to be a sufficient age differential between the victim and the defendant, if the victim is above an age minimum. There may also be a minimum age of the defendant in order to prosecute someone for statutory rape. Contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer to understand the legal defense strategies in your case.
How Much Jail Time Can a Person Get for Statutory Rape?
In most cases, statutory rape or sexual assault of a minor is a felony offense. The felony penalties for a statutory rape conviction may include more than a year in prison. When the minor victim is under a certain age, the prison sentence can be much longer, including up to life imprisonment.
In addition to jail time and fines, statutory rape may be considered a “registerable offense.” After the defendant serves their sentence and is released from jail, they may have to register with local law enforcement agencies as a sex offender. Sex offenders have mandatory registration every year or whenever they move.
Sex offenders are put on a database that is public information and can be searched by the defendant’s name or search location. The sex offender registry may have identifying information, including:
- Name
- Photograph
- Physical description
- Address
- Sex crime
Is It a Defense if Someone Lied About Their Age?
In some cases, it may be a defense if the defendant had an honest and reasonable belief that the victim was over the age of consent. However, simply claiming the victim lied about their age may not be enough. It can help the defendant’s case if there are factors supporting their claim, including:
- Victim had a fake I.D. and claimed an older age
- Victim was in a place where minors are not generally present, including a bar
- There were other witnesses who were told and thought the victim was older
However, even if the defendant has substantial evidence of a reasonable belief of the age of consent, there may be a bar to this defense if the victim is under a certain age. If you have questions about this or other legal defenses, talk to a sex crimes defense attorney.
Can You Sue for Statutory Rape?
For criminal statutory rape laws, it is up to the prosecutor to bring criminal charges. The victim is not required to support criminal charges and the victim cannot drop criminal charges. Even if the victim comes to the defendant’s defense, the prosecutor can still pursue a felony conviction.
The victim of statutory rape may be able to file a civil complaint against the defendant for civil penalties. A civil cause of action may allow the victim to recover damages from the defendant, including monetary compensation.
Do You Need a Statutory Rape Lawyer?
There are severe penalties associated with a statutory rape charge, including harsh prison sentences and lifetime sex offender registration. A criminal defense attorney can provide an aggressive defense strategy to help you avoid criminal charges. Contact an experienced attorney for legal advice.
Best Time to Seek Legal Help
No matter what your legal issue may be, it is always best to seek legal help early in the process. An attorney can help secure what is likely to be the best possible outcome for your situation and avoid both unnecessary complications or errors.
How to Prepare for Your Initial Consultation
Prepare for your consultation by writing down notes of your understanding of the case, jot down questions and concerns for the attorney, and gather your documents. Remember that you are trying to get a sense of whether the attorney has your trust and can help you address your legal issues. Questions should include how the attorney intends to resolve your issue, how many years he/she has been practicing law and specifically practicing in your area, as well as how many cases similar to yours the attorney has handled. It can also be helpful to broach the subject of fees so that you understand the likely cost and structure of your representation by a specific attorney and/or legal team.
Does firm size matter?
For most consumer legal issues, the size of the practice is much less important than the experience, competence, and reputation of the attorney(s) handling your case. Among the most important factors when choosing an attorney are your comfort level with the attorney or practice and the attorney’s track record in bringing about quick, successful resolutions to cases similar to yours.
Common legal terms explained
Personal jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority over a person, in order to bind that person to the judgment of the court, based on minimum contacts. International Shoe Co v. Washington is a landmark Supreme Court case outlining the scope of a state court’s reach in personal jurisdiction.