Top Matthews, NC Statutory Rape Lawyers Near You

Consent Is Not a Defense to Statutory Rape

Statutory rape is generally defined as sexual intercourse by an adult with a person below a statutorily designated age. Under the law, the underage person is incapable of consenting to sex so you could be convicted of statutory rape even if the underage person consented to the sexual contact and you did not force the person.

Have You Been Charged With Statutory Rape?

Statutory rape is a serious crime and in most states it is considered a felony, which means, if you are convicted, you could be facing serious punishment including jail. There are legal defenses to the charge, however, so don’t delay, contact a Matthews statutory rape defense attorney to help you with your case.

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.

Top Questions to Ask a Lawyer

• What is the usual process to resolve my case? How long will it take to resolve this?
• What are likely outcomes of a case like mine? What should I expect?

An experienced lawyer should be able to communicate a basic “road map” on how to proceed. The lawyer should be able to walk you through the anticipated process, key considerations, and potential pitfalls to avoid. Once you’ve laid out the facts of your situation to the lawyer, he/she should be able to frame expectations and likely scenarios to help you understand your legal issue.

Tips on Hiring an Experienced Lawyer with Statutory Rape Cases

The more experienced a lawyer is in legal practice, the more likely he/she will be able to bring about a successful resolution to your issue. Since experience matters, lawyers who’ve been practicing law for many years (with a successful track record) tend to be in high demand. You should look for information about a lawyer’s experience and ask questions during the initial meeting. It’s a very good idea to ask the lawyer how many years he/she has been practicing law and the expected outcome of your case.

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.