Arlington Sex Crime Lawyer

If you are facing sex crime charges in Arlington, Virginia; Don’t worry, as an Arlington sex crime lawyer, I can fight your case in court and protect your legal rights.

read below how we fight your criminal charges in court

Virginia Rape Law

18.2-61 is Virginia’s law on rape.  Under this section of the law, rape is sexual intercourse with another against their will and the use of force to engage in that sexual intercourse. 

Virginia also considers it rape if the force is a threat or it is directed towards a third party.  The use of the victim’s mental incapacity or physical helplessness for sexual intercourse is also considered rape in Virginia. 

Lastly, sex with a child under the age of 13 is rape regardless of the use of force or anything else.

The same section of law gives great discretion to the courts to determine the punishments of convicted rapists.  Judges must issue at least 5 years of jail time but can go up to a life sentence. 

However, certain circumstances will lead to more specified penalties.  For example, if an adult over the age of 18 has sex with a child under the age of 13, the minimum amount of jail time is 25 years. 

If you are facing rape charges in Arlington, Virginia, talk to the attorneys at American Lawyers Group.

Forcible Sodomy in Virginia

§18.2-67.1 is Virginia’s law on forcible sodomy.  This crime is essential rape but, focused on sodomy, and other non-traditional sexual acts. 

Like rape, forcible sodomy is punishable with between 5 years and life in prison.  Under some circumstances, the mandatory minimum sentence can be increased to 25 years. 

In the most heinous circumstances, the mandatory minimum sentence can be life in prison. 

You can speak with the attorneys at American Lawyers Group if you have questions about which sexual acts can constitute forcible sodomy and what circumstances can increase the prison sentences of forcible sodomy charges.

What Is Carnal Knowledge of a Child

Carnal knowledge of a child is explained and criminalized in §18.2-63(c)(ii).  This section of law makes it a class 4 felony to have engaged in sexual intercourse, sexual penetration, and a list of other sexual acts with a child between the age of 13 and 15. 

If you have questions about what acts can constitute carnal knowledge, call the attorneys at American Lawyers Group. 

§18.2-63 also makes it a class 4 felony for some to engage in sexual intercourse when they are less than 3 years older than a 13-15-year-old child. 

If you are more than 3 years older than the 13-15-year-old child, the crime is a class 6 felony.

Prostitution in Virginia 

Prostitution in Virginia is criminalized under §18.2-346.  Prostitution is defined as the exchange of sex and sex acts for money or some substitute for money. 

Those who offer money or something else of value for sexual acts are guilty of soliciting prostitution.  Normally, prostitution and the solicitation of prostitution are class 1 misdemeanors. 

However, soliciting prostitution from a child older than 16 but younger than 18 is a class 6 felony.  Soliciting prostitution from a child younger than 16 is a class 5 felony.

Virginia Sex Offender Registry

Virginia law requires those convicted of specific sex crimes listed in § 9.1-902

To register as sex offenders.  Those registered as sex offenders have several rights taken from them and often are not allowed within a certain distance of victims or places, such as schools. 

Additionally, those registered as sex offenders can be searched and have parts of their sexual and criminal history made public. 

This is why you need skilled attorneys at the American Lawyers Group.  The last thing you want is to be wrongly convicted or intimidated into a guilty plea that lands you on a sex offender list.

Why Should You Hire an Arlington Sex Crime Lawyer?

Virginia takes sex crimes incredibly seriously.  The penalties are incredibly steep and will affect every aspect of your life. 

Simply being charged with sex crimes can have tremendous impacts on your social life, your family life, and your employment prospects. 

You will have to register as a sex offender in Virginia if convicted of the sex crimes named above in addition to your jail sentences and fines. 

If you are facing a sex crime charge in Arlington, you need the Arlington Sex Crime Lawyer at American Lawyers Group.