Have you been arrested on sex crimes charges in Phoenix, AZ? A conviction could severely limit your freedom for the rest of your life, and the consequences can be much more far-reaching than those directly levied by the court.
When this much is at stake, it’s in your best interest to begin forming your defense as quickly as you can. Building an effective defense against sex crime charges takes significant time, resources, and dedication.
The Phoenix sex crimes attorney with Orent Law Offices,PLC Craig Orent, is one of the most experienced and well-respected criminal defense attorneys in all of Maricopa County. He has 33 years of experience practicing criminal law, and he’s a Certified Criminal Law Specialist by the State Bar of Arizona, a distinction few lawyers in the state have earned.
For more information on how we can help with your sex crimes case, contact our criminal defense law firm in Phoenix at (480) 656-7301 to set up a free consultation.
Virtually every city and state takes sex crimes especially seriously – Phoenix, Arizona, is no exception. Fortunately, you are innocent until proven guilty; it’s not too late to begin mounting your defense. However, it’s paramount that you select an experienced Phoenix criminal defense attorney who has a proven track record of success to represent you and stand up for your rights.
Attorney Craig Orent and the rest of the team with Orent Law Offices are here to help. Our Phoenix sex crimes lawyer was formerly a prosecutor, which gives him inside knowledge of how the other side likes to operate. We’ll listen to your side of the story with a sympathetic ear and will treat you with the respect you deserve. We will also work hard to craft a defense that best fits your situation. Hire us to represent you, and you’ll have a legal team to help with your case by:
To begin forming an attorney-client relationship with our criminal defense firm in Phoenix, AZ, give us a call or reach out online today. Your initial consultation is completely confidential and free of charge.
There is a wide range of sex crime offenses in Arizona. Some are more serious than others in terms of the associated penalties enforced by the criminal justice system, but all of them need to be taken seriously. A conviction of any type of sex crime can lead to a negative social stigma as well as other serious consequences. The following is a description of the six primary sex crime charges in the State of Arizona.
Indecent exposure is a crime under Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) 13-1402. The statute makes it illegal to expose one’s private parts in the presence of another person without regard to whether that person would be offended or alarmed by the act. This crime is a class 1 misdemeanor unless the alleged victim is a minor under 15 years of age, at which point the crime becomes a class 6 felony.
A.R.S. 13-1403 covers public sexual indecency. This law makes it illegal to engage in one of the following sexual contact behaviors without regard to whether the alleged victim would be offended or alarmed by the act:
This crime is a class 1 misdemeanor, but can be “upgraded” to a class 5 felony if the alleged victim is a minor under 15 years of age.
Sexual abuse is a crime under A.R.S. 13-1404. This statute makes it illegal to engage in sexual conduct with someone 15 years of age or older without their consent. If the alleged victim is less than 15 years of age, it can constitute sexual abuse even if the only conduct in question is touching a female breast. By default, this crime is a class 5 felony. But if the alleged victim is under 15 years of age, it becomes a class 3 felony.
A.R.S. 13-1405 describes the sexual conduct with a minor offense. This law makes it a crime to intentionally or knowingly engage in sexual conduct with a person under the age of 18. Sexual conduct with a person who is under 18 but over 15 is a class 6 felony. However, if the alleged victim is under 15 years of age, the offense becomes a class 2 felony.
Sexual assault is covered under A.R.S. 13-1406. This statute makes it a crime to engage in sexual conduct with any person without their consent. This is a class 2 felony crime by default.
Molestation of a child is illegal under A.R.S. 13-1410. Under this law, it is a crime to intentionally or knowingly engage in sexual conduct with a person under 15 years of age – except sexual conduct with the female breast. The conduct need not be skin-to-skin contact in this context. This is a class 2 felony crime.
Most of these sex offenses can fall under the category of “dangerous crimes against children” if the alleged victim is under 15 years of age. Crimes prosecuted under this category can carry enhanced penalties.
The associated penalties and consequences of a sex crime conviction in Phoenix vary greatly depending on the facts of the case. A primary consideration is the age of the alleged victim.
As mentioned above, the majority of sex crimes offenses in Arizona carry enhanced penalties if the alleged victim is under the age of 15. However, the exact age of the victim can matter even beyond that. For instance, if the alleged victim is under the age of 12, more severe penalties can be assessed.
If you are convicted of a class 1 misdemeanor in Phoenix, such as for some indecent exposure charges, the penalties can include up to a year in jail, probation, and fines.
The penalties for felony offenses can range anywhere from 1 year to life in prison without the possibility of release. Where your offense falls in that range will depend on the exact charge and the alleged victim’s age, among other considerations (such as your criminal history).
There are many other consequences that can result from a sex crimes conviction in Phoenix, Arizona, that go beyond the prison sentence or fines imposed by the court system. These include:
Many of these consequences are related to the fact that you might have to register as a sex offender if you are convicted of a sex crime in Phoenix. If you are required to register, you must comply with strict requirements, and those requirements follow you even if you move. It is also a crime to fail to register as a sex offender under A.R.S. 13-3821.
The prosecution must prove every legal element of your sex crimes charges beyond a reasonable doubt in order to convict you. This is a high bar to meet and requires that the prosecution provide substantial evidence against you. There are many avenues by which to pursue a defense against a sex crimes offense in Arizona. The specific defenses available to you will depend on the facts of your case, but possibilities include:
When you hire Orent Law Offices to take on your case, we’ll scrutinize the prosecution’s case against you and conduct a thorough internal investigation into the situation to arrive at the defenses suitable for the matter.
If you’ve been charged with a sex crime in Phoenix, Arizona, you’ll need especially effective legal representation. Craig Orent is one of the area’s most experienced and trusted Phoenix sex crimes lawyers. Call our law office today at (480) 656-7301 to set up your free consultation.
Arizona Juvenile Corrections- 2800 W Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85027
Arizona State Prison Complex – 2500 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Maricopa County Jail – 225 W Madison St, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Maricopa County Northeast Regional Court Center – 18380 N 40th St UNIT 130, Phoenix, AZ 85032
Scottsdale City Court – 3700 N 75th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Superior Court – 175 W Madison St, Phoenix, AZ 85003
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