Facing charges of sexual conduct with a minor warrants immediate action, even if you have yet to be actually charged. These are serious charges that impact every facet of your life, often for the rest of it.
At Suzuki Law Offices, a sexual conduct with a minor defense lawyer in Benson is the advocate you need by your side in a trying case like this. Consult with our experienced Benson sex crimes defense lawyer, a former prosecutor, about your case today.
Why Trust Suzuki Law Offices with Your Sex Crimes Case
When you are facing a sexual conduct with a minor charge, you need a skilled and experienced attorney who has helped people facing the same types of challenges you are. We have decades of experience in this area of the law, and with former state and federal prosecutors on your side, we know what to expect.
At Suzuki Law Offices, we provide you with information, resources, and transparency. We are upfront and honest with you about the challenges you face and the complications that may make your case difficult. From day one, we investigate your case thoroughly—listening to your side, gathering independent evidence, and identifying flaws in the prosecution’s arguments.
Choose a Benson criminal defense lawyer who knows what the law is, but also one who is compassionate and willing to provide you with respect throughout your case. We know these cases can be incredibly terrifying, especially when you are facing charges you believe are unfair. Do not just answer the police. Let us be there by your side through it.
Defining a Sexual Conduct with a Minor Charge
Sexual conduct with a minor (A.R.S. 13-1405) occurs when a person knowingly or intentionally has sexual intercourse or oral sexual conduct with a person who is under the age of 18. There are various levels of potential consequences in these cases.
Under this law, sexual conduct with a minor is a “Dangerous Crime Against Children” (DCAC) when the charge involves a child under the age of 15. If charged with DCAC, a conviction carries a mandatory prison term even if this is the first time you have been convicted of such a crime. In this type of charge and conviction, the defendant must serve 100% of the time they receive in their sentence and cannot request suspension of that sentence.
Because this carries such an important implication to your future, we encourage you to contact our sexual conduct with a minor defense attorney in Benson for immediate support. Do not speak to the police even if you know you are innocent. Instead, request your attorney and then call us. You can learn more about this charge in our frequently asked questions section.
Penalties for Sexual Conduct with a Minor in Benson, Arizona
Arizona has some of the most intense consequences for these types of crimes. If you are accused or facing questioning, you need to act right away to protect yourself from unfair charges. Consider the following implications for a conviction:
- Victim is 15 to 17 years of age: This is a class 6 felony charge. A first-time offender will likely receive probation but may be sentenced to four months to two years in prison. A person with one prior felony will face a prison term of nine months to nearly three years. A person with two prior felonies faces a prison term of two to five years. You must register as a sex offender.
- Victim is 12 and 14 years of age: This is a class 2 felony and DCAC conviction. It requires a mandatory prison term between 13 and 27 years. If the defendant has multiple counts against them, the terms are stacked, meaning they apply consecutively and must be served in sequence.
- Victim is 12 and under: A person convicted in this situation faces 35 years to life in prison.
Remember that there is no probation or reduced sentence provided after conviction. Because of this risk, you must hire a skilled sexual conduct with a minor defense attorney in Benson to represent you as soon as possible in these cases. Doing so could protect your future.
Potential Defense Strategies Available in These Cases
Every case is very different, but you can expect our Benson sexual conduct with a minor defense attorney to develop a comprehensive legal defense strategy.
We will work with you to identify all potential opportunities for proving your innocence, getting the charges dropped, or reducing the implications when applicable. Consider some of the possible strategies we may present:
- False allegations. It can be very hard to prove someone is not telling the truth, but we will exhaust all insights into how this may be applicable in your case. Expect our legal team to gather all the evidence available to prove your side of the story.
- Lack of knowledge. Demonstrating that you did not engage in these actions with knowledge that the person was under the age of 18 may be another route to take. Expect our lawyer to help demonstrate this through the evidence you have or may be able to obtain.
- Mistaken identity. In situations where you are being wrongly accused, we will work to establish an alibi for you. This process may help you demonstrate that you could not have been involved in the incident.
Because it can be very challenging to prove that you are innocent, we strongly suggest speaking to our attorney before talking to the police. This provides you with an advocate when you are answering questions that could later be used against you. If you are facing allegations, do not wait to seek our firm for guidance. We are here when you need us.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Sexual Conduct with a Minor Defense Attorney in Benson
Trust Suzuki Law Offices to defend your future. Schedule a free consultation with a Benson sexual conduct with a minor defense lawyer who will fight relentlessly for you. Talk to us about what you are facing now.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form