Manassas, VA Sex Crimes Lawyer

The impact of a sex crime conviction cannot be understated. Sex offenders in Virginia are heavily restricted in where they can live, where they can go, what kind of jobs they can hold, and who they can have contact with. If you hold any sort of professional license that required a background check to get, you can expect to lose it. Regardless of the field you work in, you might struggle to find employment of any kind if you are placed on the sex offender registry.

Many landlords do not rent to sex offenders. Many ordinary members of the community do not want to be associated with a sex offender in any way, leading to social ostracization. If you are sent to prison, you may face harsh or even violent treatment. Fighting back against sex crime charges with the help of an experienced attorney is the best way to protect yourself.

Noorishad Law, P.C. believes that no case is hopeless. An arrest for a sex crime does not inevitably lead to a conviction. In many cases, the police can be quick to arrest someone who has been accused of a sex crime, even when the evidence is not strong enough to support a conviction. Dedicated Manassas, VA sex crimes attorney Kaveh Noorishad is an experienced and aggressive trial attorney who has been recognized for his outstanding client satisfaction ratings. He will do all he can to prepare a highly effective defense for you.

Types of Sex Crimes in Virginia

Charges that are classified as sex crimes cover a wide range of offenses, including:

Rape

A person may be charged with rape if they are accused of having sexual intercourse with another person without consent and using force or threatening/intimidating the alleged victim. This charge may also apply in situations where the alleged victim could not give consent or stop intercourse from happening because they were incapacitated, such as when a person was unconscious after receiving a "date rape" drug.

Forcible Sodomy

This offense is similar to rape, but it will involve oral or anal intercourse committed without consent. It generally carries the same penalties as rape and is treated with the same level of seriousness by law enforcement.

Object Sexual Penetration

Another form of rape involves the use of an object to commit a sexual act. The charges are treated the same as rape or forcible sodomy, and the same penalties may apply for a person who is convicted.

Sexual Battery and Aggravated Sexual Battery

Sexual battery charges may apply if a person is accused of engaging in sexual acts other than sexual intercourse, sodomy, or object sexual penetration without a person's consent. These offenses may involve accusations of groping or other acts that do not involve penetration. A standard sexual battery charge is a misdemeanor, but an offense can be elevated to aggravated sexual battery, a felony, in certain circumstances, such as when the alleged victim was a minor or when an offense allegedly resulted in a serious injury.

Indecent Exposure

When a person is accused of exposing themselves or showing their genitals or private parts to others in a public place or any other place where other people are present, they could be charged with indecent exposure. In most cases, these offenses are classified as misdemeanors, but charges may be more serious if a minor was present during an alleged offense.

Child Pornography

A person may face felony charges if they are accused of producing, distributing, or possessing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), which is another term for child pornography. Possession of CSAM is a serious felony offense, but charges of production or distribution of child pornography are more serious felonies.

Defenses Used in Sex Crime Cases

The best defense strategy for you will depend on the facts and circumstances surrounding your case and the type of sex crime you are accused of. Offenses such as rape, forcible sodomy, object sexual penetration, and sexual assault and battery are widely considered to be the most serious types of sex offenses. These crimes are known for causing serious psychological and sometimes physical harm to the victim. Child pornography cases can be equally serious, as they inherently involve the sexual abuse of a minor.

Some common defenses used in various types of sex crime cases include:

• Showing Consent: If you are accused of rape or a similar offense, one of the strongest defense strategies may involve showing that the alleged victim consented. Even if a rape kit was performed, it would only prove that there was sexual contact, not that it was nonconsensual.
• Showing a Lack of Force: Many cases involving rape or sexual assault involve accusations of using force, the threat of force, or intimidation to carry out the assault. Your lawyer can take steps to demonstrate that there is no evidence showing that you engaged in this type of behavior.
• Questioning the Victim's Capacity to Consent: If you are accused of sexual assault because the alleged victim was considered helpless at the time of the incident, your attorney may argue that the victim was in fact able to express meaningful consent. This is a frequent issue when the alleged victim was intoxicated at the time of the incident.
• Attacking the Possession Element: If you have been accused of a child pornography offense, your attorney may argue that you were not in possession or did not know that you were in possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). You may not have known about materials found on a shared device or in a space that multiple people have access to.
• Questioning the Nature of the Materials: In a child pornography case, the state must be able to prove that the images or videos in question depict a real child and are sexually explicit in nature. Our lawyer can take steps to counter these claims.

Contact Our Manassas Sex Crimes Attorney

Noorishad Law, P.C. strives to achieve outstanding results for every client. Our proactive Manassas, VA sex crimes defense lawyer will do all he can to defend your rights and protect your future. Call us at 703-542-4500 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.