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Sex Crime Lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio

We're here to defend your freedom and reputation. Call LHA at (513) 338-1890 to schedule a free consultation.

Sexual offenses are some of the most complex and damaging criminal charges someone can face. Penalties for sex crimes in Ohio are severe and may include the obvious – prison time, fines, and having to register as a sex offender. But sex crime allegations also include unexpected consequences – loss of employment, distrust, or being ostracized in your community.

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Charged with a Sex Crime in Cincinnati? We Can Help.

Sexual offenses in Cincinnati are complicated and sensitive situations for all involved. Highly specialized local task forces and prosecutors are dedicated to pursuing sex crimes in Hamilton County, and the penalties are severe. If you are accused of a sex crime, it’s best to have someone on your side who can review the evidence and fight to get your charges reduced or dismissed.

A Cincinnati sex crimes lawyer at Luftman, Heck & Associates can help protect your rights and set the record straight. We will customize a defense strategy to your situation. Call LHA at (513) 338-1890 or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation 24/7.

Ohio Sex Crimes (ORC 2907)

Various criminal sexual offenses and important definitions are outlined in the Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2907. Remember that while strangers commit many sex crimes, allegations could also come from someone you know well.

Rape Crimes in Hamilton County

Rape is when someone participates in sexual conduct or behavior against another’s will through violence, fear, duress, or danger.

Rape is a felony crime and carries devastating penalties if you are convicted. An experienced sex crime lawyer will review the facts, try to disprove that you acted without consent, and demonstrate that there was no use of force.

Sexual Battery Charges in Cincinnati

Sexual battery refers to someone touching another against their will if certain circumstances apply. Sexual battery is a felony and requires a thorough investigation. By interviewing witnesses and clearing up confusion, you may avoid formal charges.

Gross Sexual Imposition

Gross sexual imposition is when someone engages in sexual contact with another person, and that contact is against their will. Often, the victim involved is impaired from alcohol or drugs.

Gross sexual imposition is not treated lightly in the court system and carries significant jail time. A sex offense lawyer can evaluate the specifics, deal with law enforcement, and ensure your rights are protected.

Sex Offenses Against Minors in Ohio

In Cincinnati, sex crime allegations against minors often stem from complicated and emotional situations. If convicted, you face unforgiving penalties that include prison, sex offender registration, difficulty finding work, and custody of your children. A local sex crimes attorney will ensure false accusations do not railroad you, protect you from the harshest penalties, and fight to keep you off the registry.

Prostitution and Soliciting

Prostitution and soliciting are illegal in Ohio, and if you are convicted, you will likely face time in custody, fines, possible sex offender registration, and embarrassing diversion programs. By working with the best sex crime lawyer available, you can limit your exposure, deal with charges discreetly, and protect your reputation and record.

Cincinnati Sex Crime Investigations

Cincinnati police have specific sex crime investigation procedures. These procedures include interviewing victims, collecting physical evidence, and locating witnesses. This illustrates how aggressively sex crimes are pursued in Hamilton County and what the accused must be aware of, especially early in the process.

Don’t Try to Handle Sex Crime Allegations Alone

When people find themself accused of a sex crime, they often feel like they can explain the situation themselves. However, this is almost always a mistake. The police and prosecutors usually have special training in interviewing suspects, and anything you say can be used against you. Even innocent statements could come back to haunt you, and the specific details you provide can make things a lot worse.

No matter the accusation or situation, if the police contact you regarding a sex crime in Cincinnati – calmly and politely ask to speak with a defense attorney before answering any questions. A sex crimes attorney will be in a much better position to know what officers can and can’t ask you and how to provide relevant information that benefits you and ensure your rights are respected.

Evidence in Cincinnati Sex Crime Cases

Many different types of evidence can be used to prove guilt in a Cincinnati sex crime case. Some of the more common types of evidence include:

  • The alleged victim’s rape kit or physical examination
  • Photos of the alleged victim’s injuries
  • Witness statements
  • Expert testimony
  • Video of the alleged incident
  • DNA or other forensic evidence
  • Communications exchanges
  • Social media posts

How to Defend Against Sex Crimes in Ohio

Being accused of a sexual offense in Ohio is serious, but convictions are not guaranteed. A Hamilton County Prosecutor must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a difficult burden to meet. Your sex crimes defense attorney will be there to limit or exclude improper evidence, make arguments on your behalf, and execute a defense plan to secure the best possible outcome.

Various legal defenses are available in sex crime cases. Some of the most common defenses a skilled Cincinnati sex crime attorney may use are:

  • The charges are based on false accusations
  • You are the victim of mistaken identity
  • The alleged sex act was consensual
  • There is insufficient evidence that you committed a sex crime
  • The charges are based on unreliable witness statements

Challenging Sex Offense Allegations in Ohio

Challenging sex crime allegations is never easy. When you have been accused of a sex offense, you must present a compelling defense if you hope to avoid the penalties of a conviction. Here are some common defenses used in sex crime cases in Cincinnati:

Mistaken Identity

Many individuals accused of sex crimes have been mistaken for someone else. If you are facing sex crime charges and you are innocent of the crime, we will strive to prove the police arrested the wrong person or the accuser mistook you for someone else.

Alibi

One of the strongest ways to prove that the prosecution has charged the wrong individual is to show you were in another place when the crime occurred. We can establish your alibi through your testimony, eyewitnesses, surveillance camera footage, GPS data, and Internet data.

Consent

You could not be convicted of a sex crime against another adult if you had consent. If you reasonably believed the other person’s affirmative words or actions that you had consent to behave as you did, then we will provide evidence of this permission in court.

Consent can be a strong defense; however, it can also become a ‘he-said-she-said’ issue in court. While this may be one important aspect of the defense, we will also investigate other areas of the case to increase the chance of an acquittal.

Challenging DNA Evidence

You likely know from the news that many sex offense cases hinge on DNA evidence. However, DNA evidence is not as black and white as newscasters make it seem. Whether or not semen or another sample matches your DNA is a matter of percentages – and it is not always 100%. We understand the complexities of DNA evidence and will provide expert evidence as to why DNA evidence is not yours.

We can also attack DNA evidence based on the chain of custody, lab procedures used, and the analyst’s experience and training. There are several steps where DNA evidence can go wrong, ultimately pointing the finger at you when you are innocent of the crime. If there are any issues with how the sample has been treated, we will bring this to the court’s attention.

DNA evidence on or near the accuser is not always evidence of a crime. It may be true that you had a sexual relationship with this individual. However, that does not mean you broke the law. We might not attack the DNA evidence if you had consensual sexual activity with the other individual. Instead, we will focus on proving you had permission to behave as you did.

Malicious Intent/False Allegations

Individuals have been found to accuse others of sexual assault to gain another person’s attention, sympathy, or affection. Others have accused people of sex crimes for revenge or fame. If you know you are falsely accused of a sex crime because of another person’s malicious intentions, speak with one of our sex offense attorneys today.

Cincinnati Sex Crime Resources

Attorney Bread Groene knows what you are going through if you’ve been accused, charged, or investigated for a sex crime in Cincinnati or anywhere in Southwestern Ohio or Northern Kentucky. The following list of resources may help guide you and provide insight into what comes next.

Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction in Hamilton County

Although the penalties associated with any crime can be devastating, the consequences of a sex crime conviction are unique and can remain on your record forever.

If you are the subject of an investigation for any type of sex crime in Ohio, you should retain legal counsel immediately to protect your rights. Our highly skilled and experienced Cincinnati sex crimes lawyers at Luftman, Heck & Associates are here to build your defense and fight on your behalf to minimize or eliminate your charges.

Stigma in Society

The requirement to register as a sex offender is genuinely one of the most substantial consequences of a sex crime conviction. The public label of ‘sex offender’ cannot easily be erased even after years or decades.

Once you have been placed into this category, there are numerous ways this public stigma may be reinforced. Your new reality may include shattered relationships, difficulty finding employment, and even losing child custody rights.

Employment Ineligibility

You may become ineligible or undesirable for certain jobs after you’ve been convicted of a sex crime. If an employer discovers your sex crimes conviction, they may refuse to hire you. Upon your conviction, many professional licenses you hold can be revoked or suspended. These consequences can severely affect your ability to earn the income you once did – at least in your chosen career.

Destroyed Relationships and Reputation

One of the saddest consequences of a sex crime conviction is the loss of personal relationships that can occur. Families may experience separation, divorce, and even removal of child visitation or custody rights.

Estrangement may occur between once very close family members. In addition, professional relationships and ties can suffer. The nature of sex crimes often causes people to view those convicted with disdain.

Housing Restrictions

After a sexual offense conviction, you may experience great difficulty renting a home or apartment. In addition, you may face restrictions on the localities and places where you live. Living area restrictions often include anywhere close to a school, daycare facility, or park.

Loss of Child Custody or Visitation

Once convicted, you may suffer the loss of your child custody or visitation rights. Your visitation rights may be eliminated entirely or greatly minimized. The other parent may ask the court for sole custody and an order of protection. The judge will likely consider your conviction when making their order if you’re in the middle of a divorce or child custody battle.

Immigration Issues

The consequences of a sex crimes conviction can also affect your current immigration status. You may even face immediate deportation and suffer societal consequences once back in your native country.

Contact a Sex Crimes Lawyer in Cincinnati for Help

Sex-related criminal charges can be overwhelming. You are probably worried about your freedom and have a lot of questions. You can rest assured because an experienced Cincinnati sex crime defense lawyer with LHA is here for you.

Our dedicated Cincinnati sex crimes lawyers at Luftman, Heck & Associates understand the damaging effects that sex crime convictions have upon the accused. Our entire team is committed to helping you with vigorous representation.

Call us today at (513) 338-1890 or fill out our online contact form to request a free, no-obligation consultation.

★★★★★
Bradley Groene made an exceptionally difficult situation much easier to handle. He kept me informed of everything that was going to happen and got results for my case far better than I could have hoped for. I would highly recommend him for anyone who finds themselves in legal troubles.