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Sex Crime Lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio
Sexual offenses are some of the most damaging charges someone can face. Penalties are severe and include prison, fines, and registration as a sex offender. But sex crime allegations are not convictions. An experienced sex crimes defense lawyer at LHA can help
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Accused of a Sex Crime in Cincinnati? Our Attorneys 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.
Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati
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 & Soliciting in Cincinnati
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.
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 Offense 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 Crime 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.
- Hamilton County Sex Offender Registry
- Hamilton County Inmate Search
- Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction: Sex Offender Services
- Sex Offender Risk Reduction Center (SORRC)
- Ohio Reform Sex Offender Laws (RSOL)
- Cincinnati Police-Community Relations
- Cincinnati Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA)
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.
Frequently Asked Sex Crime Questions
Facing sex crime charges can be overwhelming. Here are some common concerns people have about the process and what to expect.
What Should I Do If I’m Accused of a Sex Crime in Cincinnati?
If accused of a sex crime, remain calm and immediately contact a defense attorney. Avoid speaking to law enforcement without your lawyer present, as anything you say can be used against you.
Can I Be Arrested Without Physical Evidence in a Sex Crime Case?
Yes, in Ohio, you can be arrested based on an accusation alone. However, a skilled defense attorney can challenge the lack of physical evidence to weaken the prosecution’s case.
What Are the Penalties for a Rape Conviction in Ohio?
Rape is a first-degree felony in Ohio, carrying penalties of 5 years to life in prison. If the victim is a child, the sentence could include life imprisonment without parole.
Will I Have to Register as a Sex Offender if Convicted?
Yes, many sexual offenses in Ohio require mandatory sex offender registration, often for life. The registration process limits where you can live and work, and your name and details may be publicly available.
What’s the Difference Between Rape and Sexual Battery in Ohio?
Rape involves non-consensual sexual conduct through force, coercion, or threat. Sexual battery occurs when there is non-consensual sexual conduct under specific circumstances, such as with an impaired or unconscious victim.
Can a Sexual Offense Be Expunged from My Record in Ohio?
No, sexual offenses such as rape and sexual battery are generally not eligible for expungement in Ohio. These convictions stay on your record permanently.
How Can I Defend Myself Against False Sexual Assault Accusations?
Common defenses include proving mistaken identity, consent, or demonstrating that the accusation is false or malicious. A thorough investigation and legal representation are critical to building your defense.
What Are the Consequences of Being on Ohio’s Sex Offender Registry?
Being on the registry limits where you can live, restricts employment opportunities, and subjects you to community notification. Depending on the offense, you may be on the registry for life.
Can I Avoid Jail Time for a Sex Crime Conviction?
In some cases, it’s possible to avoid jail through plea deals or alternative sentencing options like probation, but this depends on the severity of the charges and the quality of your defense. Consulting an experienced sex crime attorney is essential.
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.