Wheaton, Maryland Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers

Attorneys for Charges of Rape, Child Pornography, and Other Sex Crimes in Wheaton

While criminal charges of all types can be serious, accusations of sex crimes may result in penalties that would not apply in other types of criminal cases. These accusations may occur in situations where people have personal relationships, or a person's online activities may come under scrutiny. The penalties that a person may face when they are accused of a sex crime can be serious, and they may continue to affect their life for years or decades. The stakes are high in these cases, and legal representation can be essential to ensure that a person's rights will be protected as they defend against a conviction that may require them to register as a sex offender.

A skilled attorney who understands the issues that can affect sex crime cases and the best options for defense can help address these charges successfully. At the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, we work with people who are facing these types of accusations, helping them determine the best steps to take to defend against convictions while minimizing the potential penalties that could affect their futures.

Sexual Assault Charges

People may be accused of sexual assault in many situations. They may face allegations that they engaged in sexual conduct without consent, including in cases where a person was allegedly unable to give consent because they were unconscious, intoxicated, or impaired for other reasons. The specific charges will depend on the acts that allegedly occurred, the circumstances of a case, and the ages of the parties involved.

The most serious sexual assault charges may involve accusations of rape. First-degree rape involves sexual intercourse that takes place without the consent of the other party, as well as aggravating factors such as the use of force or threats, the use of a firearm or other weapon, or the infliction of serious injuries. A person who is convicted of this offense could be sentenced to life in prison.

Second-degree rape charges may apply in other situations involving accusations of non-consensual sexual intercourse. These cases include situations where an alleged victim was incapacitated and could not give consent, such as when a "date rape" drug was allegedly used against an alleged victim. A person who is convicted of second-degree rape may face a sentence of to up to 20 years in prison.

In cases involving accusations of non-consensual sexual conduct other than sexual intercourse, a person may be charged with a sexual offense. A case involving aggravating factors like the use of a weapon, the infliction of serious injuries, or threats to injure the alleged victim or another party may lead to charges of a third-degree sexual offense. These charges carry a potential sentence of 10 years in prison. Other cases that do not involve aggravating factors may be charged as a fourth-degree sexual offense, which is a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of one year in jail.

When addressing charges of sexual assault, our attorneys can look at the evidence to determine what defenses may be available. We will review the interactions between the parties involved, including communications like text messages or social media messages, taking steps to show that interactions were consensual. We can also review forensic evidence, medical examination reports, and the timeline of events, looking for inconsistencies and demonstrating that accusations are false or that our client was misidentified.

Online Solicitation of a Minor

When a person is accused of an offense related to the sexual solicitation of a minor using electronic communications, they may face serious criminal charges. These cases may involve accusations that a person communicated with someone they believed to be a minor through online chat rooms, social media, or other methods and attempted to engage in an illegal sexual act.

In many cases, charges of online solicitation of a minor will occur after police officers engage in online sting operations. An officer may pose as a minor and communicate with a suspect, and any attempts to engage in sexual activities with the officer posing as a minor could lead to an arrest and criminal charges. Notably, these charges may be based on accusations that a person believed they were communicating with a minor, regardless of the actual age of the person in question.

These cases will rely heavily on digital evidence, including chat logs, video recordings, or messages exchanged online. Our lawyers will carefully review what happened during an investigation to determine if a person's rights were violated. We may be able to show that entrapment occurred in which a person was encouraged or coerced into committing an offense by an undercover officer. We may also take steps to show that a person believed that they were communicating with an adult rather than a minor.

Child Pornography Offenses

Materials that depict minors who are engaging in sexual conduct are commonly known as child pornography, but law enforcement officials have begun to use the term"child sexual abuse material" (CSAM) to highlight the ways the creation of these materials involves the exploitation of children. Because of the harm that can be caused to children by child pornography offenses, people accused of possessing, distributing, or creating CSAM can face serious penalties.

In cases where people have been charged with CSAM-related crimes, our attorneys can review digital evidence and the procedures followed during investigations. We can work with digital forensics experts to review how files were located, downloaded, or shared. We may take steps to show that our client had no knowledge of materials that were accessed or downloaded by someone else who used their computer, or we may demonstrate that files were downloaded by malware. We will review the search warrants used to obtain digital devices, and we may take steps to suppress evidence that was gathered through illegal searches.

Contact Our Wheaton Sex Crime Defense Lawyers

Sex crime accusations can affect your family relationships, your career, your reputation, and your freedom. At the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, our lawyers can help you take steps to minimize the ways your life may be affected by these accusations as we work to defend against a conviction. We will provide you with clear, consistent communication throughout your case, explaining what will happen during hearings or other proceedings. We will keep you advised of your options at all times while building effective defense strategies and making sure your rights are protected. Contact our Wheaton, MD sex crimes attorneys at 301-762-7500 to set up a free consultation.