Criminal charges of a sexual nature need to be taken seriously by both sexual assault victims and the accused. If you have been accused of sexual violence you will be facing more than just criminal and civil cases. As the accused, your reputation can be permanently tarnished.
Sexual charges stick with a person for far longer than any punishment dished out by the criminal justice system. For this reason, if you are charged with a sex crime the very first thing you should do is hire an experienced sexual assault attorney to minimize damage both in and out of court.
If you are charged with a sex crime it is important to remember that you do have rights and the right to representation at trial. A charge of sexual abuse does not automatically make you guilty, and an experienced sexual assault lawyer can help protect you from irreparable damage.
Sex crimes are difficult because consent is usually at the core of the trial, and consent can be interpreted in many different ways. Therefore, you need an experienced sexual assault lawyer who can help counter the account of the alleged victim and act in your best interests in a timely manner.
Should I Hire a Sexual Assault Lawyer?
If you have been charged with a sexual assault then you need to hire a sexual assault lawyer. The law can be complex when it comes to sexual abuse and sexual contact, so you need immediate legal assistance in order to properly defend yourself.
Why? Because sexual abuse charges can hang with you for the rest of your life and carry a negative stigma that can be hard to avoid in both your personal and professional life.
What Will a Sexual Abuse Lawyer Do for Me?
Most sexual assault lawyers will offer you a free consultation, so you have nothing left to lose.
They will sit down and go over the account of the victim of sexual assault and then take your account. They will review the evidence and the actual specifics of the sexual assault cases that you have been charged with.
From there they will develop a defense that may involve one of the following defenses. Each sexual assault case is different, so every defense is tailored to fit the needs of the person who is charged in either criminal or civil court.
One strategy that is used quite commonly by the defense in sexual abuse cases is questioning consent. Consent is at the heart of most cases, and there needs to be evidence that supports whether or not a sexual act was consensual or was not. If such evidence exists then a sexual assault lawyer may use this tactic.
Another effective strategy is to question the evidence. Sometimes evidence is collected in a manner that violates the right of the defender. If this is the case a sexual assault attorney may be able to have the evidence excluded by a judge and therefore inadmissible at a trial.
If the accused was not known to the complainant, there may be an argument on identification. Other times the complainant might have ulterior motives for making the allegation and therefore their credibility can be challenged.Â
Can I Counter the Account of the Alleged Sexual Assault Victims?
The short answer is yes, but many victims are easy to sympathize with, so you need legal advice about this complex area of the law that allows you to present your version carefully, so you do not alienate the jury or the judge in the process – if the case ever goes to trial.
In some cases, the accused may not need to testify.Instead, the case may be won through questioning the credibility of witnesses and the complainant by expertly cross-examining them and pointing out holes in their testimony.
Enough holes in the testimony of a victim can often prove that there is reasonable doubt and result in an acquittal.
What are the Consequences of Not Hiring a Sexual Assault Lawyer?
Very rarely are defendants able to win sexual assault cases on their own without the assistance of an attorney or lawyer. If you do not hire a lawyer the results can be extremely detrimental to your life.
A conviction will remain on your record for the rest of your life and depending on the nature of the criminal case may require you to register as a sex offender. The stigma of such a charge can prevent you from actively re-entering your community or obtaining certain jobs.
It can hurt your career and can result in extensive jail time and/or probation. This is why sexual assault cases should always be properly handled by a professional sexual assault attorney.
Contact Jaswal & Krueger Today if You Have Been Charged with a Sex Crime
If you are facing sexual assault charges or sexual abuse charges then you need a lawyer by your side to defend you in both criminal and civil court. Jaswal & Krueger has extensive experience defending people who have been charged with sex crimes. If you have been charged it is important to take immediate action to defend yourself by calling a criminal lawyer Surrey. Contact us today for your free consultation.
