Few charges carry penalties as serious as those involving minors. If you have been charged with a “dangerous crime against children,” your freedom may be on the line. Working with a premier Goodyear sex crimes lawyer to clear your name of the charges against you is crucial if you hope to dodge the fallout of a guilty verdict.
Your highly skilled Goodyear child molestation defense lawyer with Suzuki Law Group will need to carefully consider the evidence uncovered throughout the course of the investigation to craft a compelling defense strategy. We may even conduct a comprehensive investigation of our own with a private investigator to obtain a satisfactory outcome in your case. Find out which defenses are most suitable based on the specific circumstances of your case when you contact our legal team to request a confidential consultation.
Your Child Molestation Defense Attorney in Goodyear Can Help You Protect Your Future
If you are convicted of a sex crime involving children, the fallout could destroy not only your reputation but your entire future. For this reason, it is essential that you get help from a knowledgeable and trial-tested child molestation defense lawyer in Goodyear with Suzuki Law Group. Our criminal defense lawyers in Goodyear can analyze the evidence obtained against you and determine how to best approach your defense strategy.
Alternatives to a Lengthy and Embarrassing Trial
Going to trial will likely be embarrassing for you, especially if you are completely innocent of the allegations you are facing. For this reason, in some instances, it may be in your best interests to consider alternative options. For example, if the state’s case against you is strong, it may be the right move to work with the prosecutor to see if you can enter a plea agreement.
By working out a plea bargain with the prosecuting attorney, you may be able to dodge some of the more severe penalties associated with a child molestation conviction. However, depending on the specific circumstances of the charges against you, the prosecutor may or may not be willing to allow you to plead down to a lesser offense. Suzuki Law Group has long-standing relationships with the criminal court system, including judges and prosecutors, which may give you a greater chance of getting a plea agreement when appropriate.
Challenging Your Charges in Court
When you do not qualify for a plea agreement or the state is unwilling to work with you to plead to a less serious offense, going to trial may be your only option if you hope to avoid a guilty verdict. There are several potential strategies your child molestation defense lawyer may be able to utilize. Examples of such defenses could include:
- The alleged victim was 15 years of age or older – Child molestation charges can only apply if the alleged victim is under the age of 15. Therefore, if the minor in question was 15 years or older, child molestation charges should not apply in your case.
- You have been falsely accused – Minors make false allegations and statements regarding molestation more often than you might think. Your Goodyear child molestation defense attorney may suggest undergoing risk assessment testing, which could help establish your credibility and innocence.
- There was no sexual contact with the alleged victim – Child molestation charges only apply if the perpetrator engages in sexual contact. This means if there was no sexual contact with the alleged victim, the charges against you should be dismissed or reduced to a more appropriate offense.
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Get StartedWhen You Can Be Charged with Child Molestation in Goodyear
Under Arizona Revised Statute §13-1410, an individual can be charged with child molestation if they knowingly and intentionally engage in sexual contact with a minor under the age of 15. This is almost always considered a Class 2 felony, which can be increased to a Class 1 felony if aggravating factors are present. Sexual contact can include any type of fondling, touching, or contact with the genitals, including oral sex and sexual intercourse.
Charges Related to Child Molestation
When sexual intercourse or oral sex occurs between an adult and a minor under the age of 18, additional criminal charges of sexual conduct with a minor may apply. Arizona law, under ARS §13-1405, states that sexual conduct with a minor charges could apply if someone knowingly or intentionally engages in oral sex or sexual intercourse with a minor of any age. There are several other charges related to child molestation that you could also be facing, such as:
- Sexual exploitation of a minor – Under ARS §13-3553, individuals can be charged with sexual exploitation of a minor when there is evidence to suggest that they sexually exploited a minor by knowingly photographing or recording a minor while they are engaged in sexual conduct. However, these child pornography charges will also apply if the alleged perpetrator has purchased, sold, received, transported, distributed, possessed, exchanged, or electronically transmitted any visual depiction of a minor engaged in any type of sexual conduct or exploitive exhibition.
- Luring a minor – The statute for luring a minor can be found under ARS §13-3554. Here, alleged perpetrators can be charged with lowering a minor if they knew or should have known that they were asking for or offering sexual conduct with a minor. This applies to any person under the age of 18.
If You Are Convicted, Your Future May Be Uncertain
The consequences of a conviction for child molestation are often harsh. Arizona has mandatory minimum penalties for child molestation charges based on the age of the victim. These include;
- A mandatory minimum of 35 years in prison if the alleged victim was under the age of 12
- A maximum of 24 years in prison if the alleged victim was between the ages of 12 and 14
It is important to note that there is no mandatory minimum sentence if the alleged victim is between the ages of 15 and 17, though you may still be facing prison time. If you are guilty, you will also likely be required to register as a sex offender on the Arizona sex offender registry. You will be assigned a “risk level,” which determines the likelihood of a registered sex offender’s recidivism.
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Turn to Goodyear’s Premier Sex Crimes Defense Law Firm for Help Clearing Your Name
If you are currently under investigation for a sex crime or a dangerous crime against children, it is crucial that you take your defense seriously. Even being under investigation for such charges could destroy your reputation. Safeguard your future and take steps to avoid the harsh criminal penalties of a crime conviction when you contact an experienced Goodyear child molestation defense lawyer with Suzuki Law Group.
Our firm has over two decades of trial experience and has successfully helped many individuals accused of sex offenses clear their names of the allegations against them. Have our team review the circumstances of your case and craft the strongest criminal defense possible. Complete our secured contact form or call our office to request a confidential consultation as soon as today.
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