Anyone facing charges or accusations of rape deserves a fair trial with an attorney they know will provide them with the best possible legal representation possible. At Suzuki Law Offices, our Tempe rape defense lawyer brings decades of experience to every case.
Our Tempe sex crimes lawyer will work diligently, fighting for your rights and protecting your future as we do so.
What Happens During Sexual Assault Investigations
A Tempe rape defense lawyer is one of the most important professionals to have by your side during these challenging investigations. Investigations can often be emotionally charged and riddled with mistakes that put your innocence on the line. Many of these cases hinge on the testimony of the other party, making it critical that you have proper representation by your side.
During the investigation, police will likely ask questions, and you should not answer them until you have an attorney by your side. Even if you know you are not guilty, the insurance company will take every step possible to pressure you during this process. Police departments will try to get you to admit to engaging in sexual relations with the individual, which will later be used against you.
Our Tempe criminal defense lawyers protect you by minimizing any questions asked of you that are not legally allowable or a violation of your rights. We also educate you on the tactics law enforcement uses, such as confrontation calls that aim to get you to admit what happened to the accuser while a detective is present. Because the police just want to hold someone accountable, they will pursue any avenue possible to hold you accountable.
Arizona Rape Laws
Rape, recognized as sexual assault in Arizona, is a Class 2 felony, with serious punishments that include the potential for life in prison. Sexual assault falls under ARS 13-1406. It applies in situations where a person intentionally or knowingly engages in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with any person without having their consent to do so. Consent does not apply in some situations:
- The victim is coerced by the use of threat or force against a person or property.
- The victim is intentionally deceived as to the nature of the act.
- The victim cannot provide consent because of their age (under the age of 18) or other factors, including mental disorder, mental defects, impairment due to drugs or alcohol, sleep deprivation, or other instances in which cognitive function is impacted.
- The victim was deceived into believing they were engaging in the act with their spouse.
It is very common for rape allegations to result from the presence of evidence in a rape kit or through other forensic evidence. However, that DNA evidence does not prove that consent was not provided. As your lawyers, we work proactively to protect you from such charges by any means allowable under the law.
Consider the Consequences of a Rape Conviction
It cannot be stressed enough that working with a rape defense attorney in Tempe is critical to protecting your future. Arizona law considers it one of the worst violent crimes. In most cases, a first offense can lead to a minimum of 5.25 years in prison, with a maximum of 14.
In situations where the victim is under the age of 15, the minimum sentence jumps to 13 years with a maximum of 27 years. In situations where the victim is under the age of 12, this can lead to life in prison. Sexual assault applies to any situation in which the defendant is 18 years of age or older, with juvenile offenders facing potentially altered sentences.
Beyond the time away from family and friends, just the charge of rape can carry a lifetime of reputational harm. Many times, defendants find themselves struggling to get a job or to find a place to live after such incidents. With the guidance of our Tempe violent crimes lawyer, you do not have to face these charges on your own but instead will gain the support of an experienced advocate.
How Our Tempe Attorney Can Help You
Suzuki Law Offices has a team of experienced professionals, including former prosecutors, ready to fight for you in the courtroom. When we take on your case, you can expect each member of our team to provide you with transparent legal guidance, compassion, and respect. To do this, we focus on building a strong defense for you, with potential strategies such as proving:
- Your confession was coerced
- An illegal confrontation call occurred to trick you
- There is a lack of physical evidence in your case
- The allegations are false
- The credibility of the witness is questionable
- You have an alibi
- Technical legal deficiencies occurred
With a defense strategy in place, expect our legal team to pursue your best interests. That may be to get your charges dropped or reduced, or we prepare for trial. With years of experience in a courtroom, you can also feel confident knowing that you have a passionate, dedicated, and aggressive lawyer on your side with a robust video center.
What if You Are Falsely Accused of Rape
In situations where you are falsely accused of rape, it is a natural reaction to try to defend yourself, demonstrating to law enforcement that you could not and did not do so.
Yet, anything you say to any member of law enforcement could be used against you later, which is why it is so important to hire a rape defense lawyer in Tempe to help you navigate your options instead. We strongly encourage you to set up a free consultation with us to discuss your rights and legal options, knowing there is no pressure to move forward if you do not desire to do so.
Let Our Tempe Rape Defense Attorney Fight for You
When your future is on the line, you deserve an experienced ally by your side, and that is exactly what you will find at Suzuki Law Offices. We take your case seriously and dedicate the time and effort required to build a robust defense strategy that gives you the best chance of a favorable outcome.
Contact a Tempe rape defense lawyer from our firm now.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form