When your world comes crashing down with a sex offense crime charge, the most important first step you can take is to contact a sexual assault defense lawyer in Coolidge. Seeking a lawyer protects you from the actions of the police, who want nothing more than to prove you did it.
Before you face the worst outcome, set up a free consultation with our Coolidge sex crimes lawyer at Suzuki Law Offices. We have a former prosecutor on our team ready to fight for you.
What Is Sexual Assault in Arizona
Sexual assault is what most people think of as rape. The law defines it as intentional or knowing engagement in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with a person who cannot consent or does not give consent.
In Coolidge, sexual assault is taken very seriously by law enforcement, and charges like this are often only filed after extensive investigations.
This type of charge is not taken lightly by law enforcement. There is no doubt that the use of a rape kit can make proving the incident took place easier.
Yet, rape kits only indicate that the act happened and lack the other core component of this law: proving consent. Talk to our Coolidge criminal defense lawyer about your case today.
We Handle All Types of Sexual Assault Cases in Coolidge
Suzuki Law Offices has decades of experience providing exceptional legal support and comprehensive, aggressive defense strategies in Coolidge.
Sexual assault is a serious charge, one that will impact your life even if you are found innocent. Our legal team has experience in defending against charges such as:
- Date rape
- Gang rape
- Statutory rape
- Sexual abuse
- Spousal rape
In Arizona, the terms rape and assault are used interchangeably. Under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 13-1406, the state’s sexual assault law, these charges are considered a class 2 felony. This could mean jail time, fines, and registration on the sex offender list. Here is what you need to know and how our legal team can help.
How Consent is Determined in Sexual Assault Cases in Coolidge
Proving a person did or did not give consent is not simplistic, and law enforcement may find it challenging to do so definitively. But, your life is on the line, and showing that you did not commit this crime because there was consent could be essential. Under the law, the term “without consent” may include:
- Coercion of the victim with the immediate threat of or use of force against another person or property
- A lack of ability to consent, such as in situations where the person has a mental disorder or a mental defect
- A lack of ability to consent because a person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, was not awake, or had some other indication that limited their ability to refuse engagement in conduct
- Intentionally deceiving the other party about the nature of the act
- Intentionally deceiving the other party into believing they were the spouse of the perpetrator
If the victim is under the age of 18, they are considered to be under the legal age of consent. This means they are legally incapable of consenting to sexual conduct, and it is a criminal activity to engage with a person under the age of 18. This can also be used to demonstrate a lack of consent.
What Conviction Could Mean in Coolidge, Arizona
Those convicted of a sexual assault in Coolidge face class 2 felony charges and outcomes. This means you would not be eligible for a suspension of your sentence, probation, or pardon under the state’s laws. You also would not be eligible for a release from confinement.
If you are convicted, you face:
- At least 5 minutes in state prison
- Up to 7 years of supervised probation after release
- Up to $150,000 in fines plus surcharges
In situations where the incident occurs with a minor under the age of 15, the charges are escalated to aggravated sex crimes, and this falls under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 13-1405.
You face statutory rape charges in this case, which carries a potential class 6 felony charge, increasing the time in prison.
How We Defend Against Sexual Assault Charges in Coolidge
Sexual assault is a complex legal matter, and while it requires a deep investigation by police, you also need to ensure you have an attorney investigating.
Our Coolidge sexual assault defense lawyer will investigate your case to understand the full premise of what happened and, potentially, why, piecing together a possible strategy to help you prove your innocence or get the charges dropped.
Some of the potential strategies we may recommend in your defense creation include:
- Consent: In situations of sexual assault, proving consent was never given is the prosecutor’s goal. However, there are times when someone may initially consent to the act but later regret it. That does not make you guilty of sexual assault. Evidence that helps your case.
- Ulterior motives: Unfortunately, there are many situations where a person may accuse you of a crime like this for some type of personal gain. They may do so to hurt you, ruin your reputation, or seek revenge against you.
- The wrong person: There are situations where victims suffer serious outcomes, but they identify the wrong person as the cause.
In each situation, we look at the evidence, find holes in the prosecutor’s version, and create doubt. With our extensive experience in legal matters related to sex crimes, we understand how to construct a robust defense.
Set Up a Free Consultation With a Sexual Assault Defense Attorney in Coolidge Today
Do not wait any longer to seek legal representation if you are being questioned about sexual crimes of any type.
Call our Coolidge sexual assault defense attorney for immediate help. At Suzuki Law Offices, we offer free consultations and the support you need.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form