Were you recently arrested and charged with rape or sexual misconduct in Boone County, Kentucky?
Then you would be smart to take immediate steps to make it as challenging as possible for the prosecution to convict you and send you to jail or prison. To get started, all you have to do is get in touch with an experienced Boone County sex crimes lawyer from Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers.
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How Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help If You’re Facing Sex Crime Charges in Boone County, KY
Few crimes are more serious than those involving allegations of sexual misconduct. When your future is on the line, it’s critical to mount a strong defense. The best way to protect yourself is by making sure that you have an experienced Boone County criminal defense attorney in your corner. The team at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers is ready and willing to fight on your behalf.
When you hire our law firm to defend you against your Northern Kentucky sex crime charges, we will:
- Protect your constitutional rights
- Fight on your behalf to secure a reasonable bond
- Help you understand the nuances of the Kentucky judicial system
- Investigate the details of the prosecution’s accusations
- Look for evidence that may convince the judge to dismiss your case
- Research and devise a customized legal defense strategy
- Provide you with astute legal advice and guidance as required
- Negotiate a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution
- Represent you in a court of law, if necessary
Would you like to have a criminal defense lawyer from Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, help you battle back against your rape or sexual abuse charge? Then please do not hesitate to give us a call to set up a free consultation at our law office in Cincinnati. We have many years of experience in the industry, and we are more than ready to stand up for you.
Commonly Charged Sex Offenses in Kentucky
The state of Kentucky has a wide variety of laws on its books that outlaw improper and non-consensual sexual activity. A short sampling of the most commonly charged sex crimes in Boone County would include:
Rape in the First Degree
Section 510.040 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes explains that it is illegal for an individual to:
- Engage in sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion, or
- Engage in sexual intercourse with another person who cannot consent because they are younger than 12 years old or are physically helpless
Anyone who violates this statute is guilty of rape in the first degree.
Kentucky typically classifies this offense as a Class B felony. However, if the victim is younger than 12 years old or incurs a severe physical injury, the prosecution can choose to upgrade it to a Class A felony.
Rape in the Second Degree
Section 510.050 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes explains that it is illegal for an individual who is at least 18 years of age to have sexual intercourse with another person who is younger than 14 years old.
This law also states that it is unlawful for an individual to engage in sexual intercourse with another person who cannot consent because they have a mental disability.
When Kentucky police officers catch someone violating this statute, they may charge them with rape in the second degree – a Class C felony.
Rape in the Third Degree
Section 510.060 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes explains that it is illegal for an individual to:
- Engage in sexual intercourse with another person who is younger than 16 years of age, when they are at least 21 years old
- Engage in sexual intercourse with another person who is 16 or 17 years old, when they are at least ten years that person’s senior
- Engage in sexual intercourse with another person who is younger than 18 years of age, when they are at least 21 years old and that person’s foster parent
- Engage in sexual intercourse with another person who is younger than 18 years of age, when they are in a position of authority over that person
- Engage in sexual intercourse with an incarcerated person, when they are an employee of that person’s jail or prison
Individuals who violate this statute are guilty of rape in the third degree. In Kentucky, offenses of this nature are Class D felonies.
Sexual Abuse in the First Degree
Section 510.110 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes explains that it is illegal for an individual to:
- Subject another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion
- Subject another person who is physically helpless, mentally disabled, or younger than 12 years of age to sexual contact
- Subject another person who is younger than 16 years of age to sexual contact, when they are older than 21 years of age
- Engage in masturbation in the presence of someone who is younger than 16 years of age, when they are older than 21 years of age
- Engage in masturbation while using the telephone or internet to communicate with another person who is younger than 16 years of age, when they are older than 21 years of age
- Engage in sexual contact with a person who is younger than 18 years of age, when they are in a position of authority over that person
Violators of this law are guilty of sexual abuse in the first degree.
The state of Kentucky classifies this crime as a Class D felony. However, prosecutors may bump it up to a Class C felony if the victim is younger than 12 years old.
Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree
Section 510.120 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes explains that it is illegal for an individual who is between the ages of 18 and 21 to engage in sexual contact with another person who is less than 16 years old.
This law also states that it is unlawful for an individual to engage in sexual contact with an incarcerated person who is at least 18 years of age when they are an employee of their jail or prison.
When law enforcement officers catch someone violating this statute, they may charge them with sexual abuse in the second degree – a Class A misdemeanor.
Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree
Section 510.130 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes explains that it is illegal for an individual to subject another person to sexual contact without their consent.
Individuals who violate this statute are guilty of sexual abuse in the third degree – a Class B misdemeanor.
Sexual Misconduct
Section 510.140 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes explains that it is illegal for an individual to have sexual intercourse with another person without their consent.
When Boone County police officers catch people violating this law, they can arrest them and charge them with sexual misconduct. This offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
Do you need a skilled attorney in Boone County to defend you against one or more of the criminal charges outlined above? If so, please reach out to Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, as soon as possible. Our team has been helping Kentuckians with their legal issues for years, and we are more than ready to go to battle for you.
Consequences of Sex Crime Convictions in Kentucky
When courts in Kentucky convict people of sex crimes, they dole out fines and terms of imprisonment in accordance with the following sentencing guidelines:
- Class A Felonies: Between 20 years and life imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Class B Felonies: Between ten years and 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000
- Class C Felonies: Between five years and ten years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000
- Class D Felonies: Between one year and five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000
- Class A Misdemeanors: Between 90 days and one year in jail and a fine of up to $500
- Class B Misdemeanors: As long as 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $250
A convicted rapist or sexual abuser in Boone County must also register as a sex offender upon their release for prison. Depending on the severity of their crime, the courts may require them to register for anywhere from 20 years to the rest of their life.
While they remain on the registry, they must stick to rules and restrictions like:
- Not being able to live near schools
- Not being allowed to work with children or vulnerable adults
- Being tested for drugs and alcohol regularly
- Having their computer activity monitored
Would you like to have a knowledgeable Boone County sex crimes attorney from Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, help you battle to avoid the negative consequences of a rape or sexual abuse conviction? If so, please give us a call or contact us online at your earliest convenience. We represent clients from all corners of Boone County – and we are ready to assist you in any way we can.
Defenses Against Kentucky Sex Crime Charges
Alleged sexual offenders in the state of Kentucky can frequently get their criminal case dismissed or their charges reduced by:
- Proving that they were elsewhere at the time the offense occurred
- Claiming that the victim consented to the sexual activity, or
- Arguing that the prosecutor does not have enough proof to convict
At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, we have been devising defense strategies for the most sex crimes charges for years. As a result, we know which tactics work and which ones do not. If you would like to have our criminal law attorneys put together a defense for you, all you need to do is pick up the phone and give us a call.
Your Trusted Boone County Sex Crimes Lawyer
The legal team at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, has been standing up for the people of Boone County for years – achieving countless favorable results in the process. So, when you need a criminal defense attorney to help you fight back against a rape accusation, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We are always ready, willing, and able to assist.
