There is often a profound sense of embarrassment, frustration, and shock after learning about sexual crime or obscenity charges brought against a person. Uncertainty about how these charges may alter your employment or social status and a lack of understanding of the legal system can exacerbate feelings of anxiety.
At O’Leary Law Office, I work with you to alleviate these overwhelming responses to your charges by guiding you through the legal process. By hiring an experienced sex offense and obscenity attorney in Circleville, like me, Matthew O’Leary, you’ll have an expert dedicated to protecting your rights and advising what’s best for you.
Types of Sex Offense Charges a Sex Crime Attorney in Circleville Can Help You With
A dedicated sex offense attorney in Circleville will interpret the charges against you in layman’s terms so you can make the best decisions possible in your case. There are various types of sex offense charges as outlined in Ohio state statutes, and often, the evidence in these cases involves nuances that a sex crime attorney can skillfully navigate. Seeking professional legal help is crucial to navigating these intricacies.
In addition, charges and their potential penalties can vary based on prior criminal history, aggravating factors, and judicial discretion. At the front of your mind may be the possibility of having to register as a sex offender, but a qualified sex offense attorney in Circleville will provide the best counsel for sentencing negotiations.
Rape:
- Engaging in sexual conduct with another person against their will through force or threat of force. Ohio law also considers non-consensual sexual conduct due to mental impairment or intoxication as rape.
- Penalties: Rape is classified as a felony of the first or second degree, punishable by imprisonment ranging from several years to life, depending on the circumstances.
Sexual Battery:
- Engaging in sexual conduct with another person when the offender knows the conduct is offensive or knows the other person is unaware of the conduct.
- Penalties: Sexual battery is classified as a felony of the third degree, punishable by imprisonment for up to five years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Gross Sexual Imposition:
- Engaging in sexual contact with another person when the offender uses force, threat of force, or the victim is under age 13 or mentally or physically impaired.
- Penalties: Gross sexual imposition is classified as a felony of the fourth or fifth degree, punishable by imprisonment ranging from six months to one year and/or fines.
Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor:
- When a person engages in sexual conduct with a minor who is not their spouse and who is at least 13 but less than 16 years old, or when the offender is more than four years older than the minor.
- Penalties: Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor is classified as a felony of the fourth degree, punishable by imprisonment of up to 18 months and/or fines.
Importuning:
- Soliciting another person, particularly a minor, for sexual activity, often through electronic means such as the internet.
- Penalties: Importuning is classified as a felony of the fifth degree, punishable by imprisonment of up to 12 months and/or fines.
Child Pornography Offenses:
- The creation, distribution, possession, or viewing of sexually explicit materials involving minors.
- Penalties: Child pornography offenses vary depending on the specific actions and circumstances, but they can result in felony charges with substantial imprisonment and fines.
Sexual Imposition:
- When a person, for sexual gratification, touches another person’s erogenous zone while knowing that the other person’s ability to appraise the situation, act rationally, or exercise control over their conduct is substantially impaired.
- Penalties: Sexual imposition is classified as a misdemeanor of the third degree, punishable by imprisonment of up to 60 days and/or fines.
Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance:
- Using a minor in any way that involves sexually-oriented material or performances.
- Penalties: Illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance can result in felony charges with imprisonment and fines, depending on the specific circumstances.
Understanding Different Obscenity Charges in Circleville
As with sex offense charges, obscenity charges and their penalties are contingent on the specifics of each case. Some sex offense charges may be coupled with other obscenity charges, thus affecting potential penalties you may face. Your Circleville obscenity attorney will dissect your charges and build a strong case for your defense.
Obscenity:
- Prohibits the creation, sale, dissemination, or possession of obscene material, typically material that appeals to prurient interest and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
- Penalties: It is classified as a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. For repeat offenses or aggravated circumstances, penalties can be more severe, including felony charges and longer prison sentences.
Pandering Obscenity:
- Knowingly creating, reproducing, publishing, selling, disseminating, or exhibiting any obscene material or performance.
- Penalties: It is classified as a felony of the fourth degree, punishable by 6 to 18 months in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
Possessing Obscene Material:
- Knowingly possessing or viewing obscene material.
- Penalties: It is classified as a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance:
- This charge applies to using a minor in any way that involves sexually-oriented material or performances, including producing, distributing, or possessing such material.
- Penalties: It is classified as a felony of the fifth degree, punishable by 6 to 12 months in prison and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles:
- Disseminating or displaying material that is harmful to juveniles, which includes any material that is obscene or harmful to minors.
- Penalties: It is classified as a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
When to Reach Out to a Circleville Sex Crimes Attorney
Because charges for sex crimes or obscenity touch on a private part of life that affects your reputation, it’s not uncommon to react defensively or want to clear up accusations made against you. We advise you not to make any statements, written or verbal, before asking to speak with an attorney if or when you’re made aware of charges against you.
A sex offense attorney in Circleville will preserve your rights to innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. They’ll sift through evidence and gather legal arguments on your behalf in an aggressive defense plan to fight for the best outcome possible.
Contact O’Leary Law Firm For a Free Sex Offense or Obscenity Consultation
When you reach out to O’Lear Law Offices for a free phone consultation, I’ll review your initial questions and analyze the charges against you to determine our next steps to achieve your goals. The initial stages of a case can be very disruptive to a person’s day-to-day affairs, but once a complete picture of the circumstances is presented, these charges can often turn out to be milder than they initially appear.
Navigating each stage in the process with a knowledgeable Circleville sex offense attorney is critical to successfully dealing with these types of charges and safeguarding your reputation. I aim to ensure you’re in the best position to make the right decisions during this difficult time.
Contact O’Leary Law Offices for a free phone consultation.