Sex Crime Attorney in Kaysville, UT
Find a Sex Offender Attorney Near You
Murphy and Murphy Law provides the community with an experienced sex crime attorney in Kaysville, UT. For over 25 years, we’ve helped countless clients win their cases and generate the best outcomes possible. We understand the strain and devastation a sex offense charge can cause in a person’s life. That’s why we’re here to inform you about the legal process, how to navigate it, and figure out the best strategy for your case. Our team has the tools, resources, and knowledge necessary to bring justice and ensure the law rules in your favor. If you require a sex crime defense attorney, we’re the right team for you.
The Most Common Types of Sexual Offenses in the State
If you’ve been accused or charged with committing a sexually based offense but are unsure about what constitutes a sex crime, we’ve laid it out for you. Like all crimes, the penalties for committing illegal sex acts depend on the severity of the situation. Regardless of whether you’re facing a minor or severe charge, you must hire a sex offender lawyer to represent you. The most common types of sexual offenses are:
- Rape and Assault: Forcing a person or persons into unwanted sexual activity they do not consent to.
- Polygamy: The practice of being married to multiple spouses.
- Child Pornography: The viewing, solicitation, distribution, or participation in pornographic material involving underage people.
- Sex with A Minor: Engaging in sexual activity, both forced and unforced, with individuals below the age of consent. Willing sex with a minor is also known as “statutory rape.”
- Prostitution: Selling sexual activity and favors as a service or product or using public spaces for soliciting sex for payment.
- Incest: Engaging in sexual activity, both forced and consensual, with relatives or members of your family.
When Do I Need A Sex Crime Defense Attorney?
Citizens can be accused or charged with a wide range of sexual crimes. Regardless of your situation, navigating the complexities of sex crime law can be daunting. That’s why we’re here to help you better understand what you could be held accountable for in the court of law. Our experienced team of sex crimes attorneys is here to help your case. You will need representation if you’ve been accused or charged with:
- Rape, assault, or forced sexual activity.
- Any sex act involving a child or minor, such as rape, molestation, and child pornography.
- Exposing yourself inappropriately, engaging in sexual activity in public, or unwanted voyeurism (“Peeping Tom”).
- Procuring or providing sexual services for money.
- Engaging in illegal sexual activity through the internet.
- Having sexual relations with a relative or family member.
What Are the Penalties for A Sex Crime Conviction?
The penalties faced for a sexual offense depend on the specific crime in question. Crimes like indecent exposure and prostitution are considered misdemeanors, while rape, sexual assault, and sexual activity with a child or a minor are considered felonies. It all depends on the crime. Regardless, you’ll want a trusted sex offender lawyer representing you. Penalties for sex offenses include:
- Class C Misdemeanor: Punished by 90 days of jail time and fines of up to $750.
- Class B Misdemeanor: Punished by up to six months of jail time and fines of up to $1,000.
- Class A Misdemeanor: Punished by up to one year of jail time and fines of up to $2,500.
- Third-Degree Felony: Punished by up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,500.
- Second-Degree Felony: Punished by up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
- First-Degree Felony: Punished by five years or life imprisonment and fines of up to $10,000.
What Are the Collateral Consequences of Sex Offenses?
Aside from severe penalties like fines and jail time, committing a sex crime can impede or ruin other parts of a person’s life. Collateral consequences include but are not limited to loss of employment, licenses, certifications, and housing.
If you’ve been accused or charged of a sex crime involving children, then you’ll never be able to work in a field where children are close to you, such as teaching, daycare, therapy, and social work. Further, you may be required to register as a sex offender, which shows up on your criminal record.
If you’re facing these consequences, call our sex crime defense lawyer today.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Sex Crimes?
There is currently no statute of limitations for the following sexually-based offenses in the state of Utah. Under Section 76-1-301 (2), you can be arrested, tried, and prosecuted for the following crimes at any time:
- Rape and sexual assault.
- Rape of a child.
- Object rape of adult or child.
- Forced sodomy of adult or child.
- Sexual assault of a child or minor.
- Aggravated sexual abuse of a minor or child.
- Aggravated sexual assault.
- Prostitution of a child.
Sex Crimes with Statutes of Limitations
The following crimes have statutes of limitations. If you’re accused of committing these crimes within the subsequent periods, you can still be prosecuted and face penalties, collateral consequences, and more:
- Sexual Misconduct with 16 and 17-Year-Old Minors: A period of 10 years.
- Sex Offense Felonies: A period of four years.
- Forcible Sexual Abuse: A period of eight years.
- Incest: A period of eight years.
- Misdemeanors: A period of two years.
- Infractions: A period of one year.
We’re the Right Sex Crime Defense Lawyer for You
Whether you’re facing a minor or severe charge, you only want the best professionals representing you in the court of law.
Allegations of committing a sexually based offense can come with terrible consequences. A successful prosecution usually results in inexpensive fees and long jail and prison sentences. If you don’t face prison or fines, you’ll likely have trouble finding housing, jobs, and attaining licenses in the future.
The least severe consequence is a tarnished reputation, but even that can cause irreparable damage to your life. You may lose love, trust, and communication with friends and family members. In too many cases, public and community opinion still assumes guilt, even if you’ve been found innocent. Even after the case is over, the effects and trauma can linger for the rest of your life.
That’s why we’re the best firm to represent you if you’ve been accused or charged with committing a sex offense. Our team cares about our clients. We understand the immense pressure, destruction, and residual effects that change people’s lives due to an accusation. With over two decades of experience navigating sex crime law, we’re able to proceed with your case and pursue truth and justice.
If you or a loved one is dealing with a sex offense case, give Murphy & Murphy Law a call or contact us through our contact form. An experienced and determined sex crime lawyer is ready to talk with you and find out how they can meet your needs.