A single accusation can change the course of a person’s life, potentially leading to a conviction that results in life in prison. For anyone who is facing questioning, accusations, or threats of charges, hiring a sexual conduct with a minor defense lawyer in Pima is a critical investment.
Let the former state and federal prosecutors at Suzuki Law Offices fight on your side with exceptional legal defense. Our Pima sex crimes defense lawyer has decades of experience representing clients facing these and other sex crimes charges.
Why Trust Us as Your Pima Sexual Conduct with a Minor Defense Attorney
At Suzuki Law Offices, we have spent years working to build a reputation for being dedicated, client-focused attorneys. We are honest and transparent with you about your rights and the limitations you face, and we are committed to providing you with outstanding legal services along the way.
Our law offices offer a complimentary consultation to discuss your needs and explore potential defense strategies. Our courtroom experience is exceptional, and our dedication to our clients is unfailing. You need a trusted and experienced legal team, and we are here to help you through this process.
Our legal know-how enables our sexual conduct with a minor defense attorney in Pima to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of what you are facing and what legal strategies may be most effective in your case. Even if you are facing false allegations, do not speak to the police or anyone else without our Pima criminal defense lawyer by your side.
Understanding Sexual Conduct with a Minor Charges
Arizona has some of the strictest laws on sex crimes involving minors, who the state defines as a person under the age of 18. In each of these cases, you face prison time, fines, and the likelihood of being required to register on the sex offender list. Under A.R.S. § 13-1405, you may be charged if the police believe you engaged in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with a person under the age of 18.
Additionally, Arizona law imposes additional consequences on those convicted of a dangerous crime against children (CDAC). Convictions involving a victim under the age of 15 can lead to this additional element to your case, leading to the potential for mandatory jail time and no suspension of your sentence.
If you are convicted of a DCAC, you will be required to serve 100% of the sentence imposed on you. You will not be eligible for a suspension of sentence. Your Pima sexual conduct with a minor defense lawyer from our legal team will help you navigate potential defense strategies applicable to your case.
Penalties Applicable in a Sexual Conduct with a Minor Arizona Case
Convictions of sexual conduct with a minor are nearly always life-changing, and you may find it very challenging to seek changes to your sentence once in place. The consequences you face depend on the age of the victim and your criminal past, if any. The following is applicable for minors under the age of 18:
- Class 6 Felony for Victims 15 to 17 Years of Age. A first-time offender faces up to two years in prison with a conviction, but may be eligible for probation. With one prior felony, the sentence can extend up to two years and nine months, and with two or more, it can reach nearly six years.
- Class 2 Felony for Victims 12 to 14 Years of Age: A conviction under this category, involving a victim who is 12 to 14 years old, leads to a DCAC conviction, which carries a mandatory prison term of between 13 and 27 years. With more than one count, the sentences are stacked on top of each other.
- Class 2 Felony for Victims under 12 Years of Age: A conviction in this category leads to a mandatory sentence of 35 years to life in prison.
All of those convicted will need to register as sex offenders. That means once you leave prison, if applicable, you will need to be monitored for years to come. This can impact many aspects of your life, including your ability to get a job, find housing, and maintain relationships. Review our frequently asked questions to learn more.
Potential Defense Strategies for Sexual Conduct with a Minor in Arizona
If you are facing questioning or accusations, do not hesitate to contact us 24 hours a day to seek legal guidance from an attorney. When you do, we will learn as much as we can about your case, including what may have happened, the factors leading up to it, and the evidence available. With our extensive experience in this area of the law, you can expect our attorney to work to build a defense strategy best suited to your needs. Examples might include:
- Challenging the victim‘s claims. We may work to uncover a hidden agenda or some type of omission of the truth.
- Use child sexual abuse experts to demonstrate that you did not engage in these acts or that the child is not telling the truth
- Work to suppress physical evidence if it was seized in an unconstitutional manner
- Determine if you were mistakenly identified as the person committing the crime, but you have an alibi to protect you
- Document that you did not know and could not have known that the person was a minor
In each case, our criminal defense attorney will thoroughly review all available evidence against you to determine the best course of action to minimize the outcome. It is very tempting to want to express to the police that you are innocent and even to believe that the law will demonstrate who is telling the truth.
However, the pressure is on the prosecutor to act fast, and they will pursue your case long before they know you were at fault. Let us protect your rights.
Set Up a Free Consultation with a Sexual Conduct with a Minor Defense Attorney in Pima Now
Schedule a free consultation with our legal team to discuss your case. Your privacy rights are protected from the start.
Let our sexual conduct with a minor defense lawyer in Pima at Suzuki Law Offices answer all of your questions.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form