New York City Sex Crime Defense Lawyer

Brief Overview of Sex With a Minor Charges in New York City

Sex with a minor, also known as statutory rape, is a law that assumes that any sexual act a minor engages in is considered to be coercive, because individuals under the age of consent of 17 and thus cannot legally consent to sex with another person. If you have been charged with having sex with a minor, consider speaking with a New York criminal defense lawyer at your earliest convenience to determine how best to proceed.

NYC Criminal Attorney for Statutory Rape Defense

Statutory rape penalties can vary widely depending on some key factors. If the offender is over 21 years of age and engages in sexual intercourse with a minor who is less than 17 years of age, then this is considered third degree rape and can be accompanied by a prison term up to four years. A second degree rape charge can be imposed if the accused is over 18 years of age and the victim is less than 15 years old, and those convicted may face up to seven years in prison. First degree rape carries a prison sentence up to 35 years and is reserved for those offenders who engage in sexual intercourse with a child less than 11 years old, or a child less than 13 years old if the offender is over 18 years old.

The criminal charge of sex with a minor can be a confusing and difficult time for young individuals who may be engaged in sexual relationships with significant others who are younger than they are. In some cases, parents of the minor may condone the relationship until a time of their choosing when they decide to press charges. Musa-Obregon & Associates believes that the accused are entitled to a strong defense from an experienced professional and can help those charged to receive the best representation possible. Call today to discuss your case in more detail.

Charged with statutory rape? When facing something of this magnitude, it's in your best interests to contact a New York City sex crime defense attorney from the firm for help in defending you.