Fulton, Maryland Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer

Compassionate Defense Attorney for People Accused of Sex Crimes in Fulton, MD

If you have been arrested and charged with a sex crime, you may feel as though the world is coming down around you. A conviction of a sex crime can come with years in prison and long-term placement on a sex offender registry, which can have a devastating impact on your reputation. A Fulton sex crime attorney can represent you in court, exploring all of your options to mitigate the charges against you.

Contesting an allegation of a sex crime in court requires a careful, methodical legal defense. At The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC., we will make extensive preparations for your case so that we can work toward an ideal outcome on your behalf.

Online Solicitation of a Minor

In Maryland, soliciting a minor for sexual activity is a registrable sex crime, whether the act took place in person or through the internet. You can be charged with this offense for arranging to meet with a minor for sex, requesting or sending sexually explicit photos, or engaging in lewd conversations with a minor.

Oftentimes, undercover police officers pose as minors to catch potential offenders. For the purposes of the law, it does not matter if a real minor was involved or not. As long as the alleged offender believed that they were in contact with a minor, the charges will apply. This crime is a felony offense with a possible sentence of up to 10 years behind bars.

There are different possible strategies to defend against a charge of soliciting a minor. For example, you could argue that you were pressured by law enforcement into committing the alleged offense, citing entrapment. You could also argue that you were reasonably certain that you were speaking to an adult, or that there was not enough evidence to suggest that you had criminal intent.

Rape

A charge of rape can threaten your freedom. This felony offense is prosecuted in either one of two degrees:

• First-Degree Rape: This refers to forceful, non-consensual sexual intercourse with certain aggravating factors, such as if the offender was aided and abetted by another person or if a dangerous weapon was used in the commission of the offense. This crime is punishable by life in prison, possibly without parole if the victim was under 16.
• Second-Degree Rape: This refers to non-consensual sexual intercourse without the aggravating factors to qualify as first-degree rape. Second-degree rape also includes acts such as having sexual intercourse with a victim under the age of 14 when the offender is more than 4 years older, and situations where an offender has sex with a physically or mentally helpless individual.

At The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC., we can review the allegations against you closely. In order to secure a conviction, the burden is on the prosecution to prove that you committed the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

Many sex crimes carry collateral consequences where convicted offenders must register as sex offenders. The purpose of the registry is to inform the public about potentially dangerous individuals, which can severely hamper the social and professional lives of the people named on the registry. However, if you fail to register as per the court's instructions, you could be charged with a criminal offense.

Meet With a Fulton Sex Crimes Defense Attorney Today

If you have been accused of a sex crime, do not wait to seek out legal representation. At The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC., our Fulton, Maryland sex crime lawyers are here to provide you with aggressive representation and strong counsel to help fight the charges against you. To schedule a free initial consultation, call our offices at 301-589-9500 or contact us online today.