Sex Crime Defense Attorney in the Southern Tier of New York
Being accused of a sex crime can be one of the most challenging and emotionally charged legal situations an individual can face. At Renna Law Office, PLLC, we provide experienced, compassionate, and aggressive defense for clients charged with sex crimes in the Southern Tier of New York. We understand the serious nature of these allegations and are dedicated to protecting your rights and your future with a strong, strategic defense.
Sex Crimes in New York
Sex crimes are very serious in nature, as they typically involve an allegation of unwanted sexual contact without the other person's consent. Sex crimes in New York can range from misdemeanors to felonies and almost always require the accused person to register as a sex offender in the event of a conviction. Even if you are not convicted of a sex crime, the accusation alone can have long-term damaging effects on your personal and professional life.
The consequences of being charged with a sex crime start as soon as an accusation is made, which is why it is critical that you contact Renna Law Office, PLLC, to schedule a free phone consultation with our experienced sex crimes attorney, Hanna M. Renna, if you or someone you know has been accused of such a crime in New York.
Hanna M. Renna
Types of Sex Crimes in New York
The basis of most sex crimes is lack of consent. Lack of consent means that the other person was forced or did not have the capacity to consent. A person lacks the capacity to consent if that person is under the age of seventeen, suffers from a mental disability or incapacity, or is physically helpless. The most common sex crimes in New York are:
Rape in the First Degree
This is a Class B violent felony that is defined as engaging in sexual intercourse through forcible compulsion or engaging in sexual intercourse with another person who is under eleven years old, under thirteen years old if the perpetrator is eighteen years old or older, or incapable of consent due to being physically helpless.
Rape in the Second Degree
This is a Class D violent felony that is defined as engaging in sexual intercourse with another person who is incapable of consent due to being mentally disabled or engaging in sexual intercourse with another person who is under fifteen years old if the perpetrator is eighteen years old or older.
Rape in the Third Degree
This is a Class E felony that is defined as engaging in sexual intercourse with another person without that person's consent, engaging in sexual intercourse with another person who is incapable of consenting, or or engaging in sexual intercourse with another person who is under seventeen years old if the perpetrator is twenty-one years old or older
Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree
This is a Class B violent felony that is defined as engaging in oral or anal sexual conduct with another person by forcible compulsion, engaging in oral or anal sexual conduct with another person who is incapable of consent due to being physically helpless, engaging in oral or anal sexual conduct with another person who is under eleven years old, or engaging in oral or anal sexual conduct with another person who is under thirteen years old if the perpetrator is eighteen years old or older.
Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree
This is a Class D violent felony that is defined as engaging in oral or anal sexual conduct with another person who is incapable of consent due to being mentally disabled or engaging in oral or anal sexual conduct with another person who is under fifteen years old if the perpetrator is eighteen years old or older.
Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree
This is a Class E felony that is defined as engaging in oral or anal sexual conduct with another person without that person's consent, engaging in oral or anal sexual conduct with another person who is incapable of consenting, or engaging in oral or anal sexual conduct with another person who is under seventeen years old if the perpetrator is twenty-one years old or older.
Sexual Abuse in the First Degree
This is a Class D violent felony that is defined as subjecting another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion, subjecting another person to sexual contact when that person is incapable of consent due to being physically helpless, subjecting another person to sexual contact when that person is under eleven years old, or subjecting another person to sexual contact when that person is under thirteen years old and the perpetrator is eighteen years old or older.
Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree
This is a Class A misdemeanor that is defined as subjecting another person to sexual contact when that person is under fourteen years old or when that person is incapable of consenting.
Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree
This is a Class B misdemeanor that is defined as subjecting another person to sexual contact without that person's consent or subjecting another person to sexual contact when that person is incapable of consenting.
Forcible Touching
This is a Class A misdemeanor that is defined as intentionally, and for no legitimate purpose, forcibly touching the sexual or other intimate parts of another person for the purpose of degrading or abusing such person, or for the purpose of gratifying the actor's sexual desire.
Promoting Sexual Performance by a Child
This is a Class D felony defined as knowingly producing, directing, or promoting any performance that includes sexual conduct by a child under seventeen years old.
Possessing Sexual Performance by a Child
This is a Class E felony defined as knowingly possessing a sexual performance by a child when, knowing the character and content thereof, he or she knowingly has in his or her possession or control, or knowingly accesses with intent to view, any performance that includes sexual conduct by a child under sixteen years old.
Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance
This is a Class C felony that is defined as knowingly employing, authorizing, or inducing a child under seventeen years old to engage in a sexual performance, or consenting to the participation of a child under seventeen years old in a sexual performance if the perpetrator is the parent, legal guardian, or custodian of the child.
Penalties for Sex Crimes in New York
The sentence for a sex crime conviction depends on the classification of the sex crime, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony offense, and the accused's criminal history. The maximum sentence for a sex crime is life in prison if the prosecution can prove predatory sexual assault or predatory sexual assault against a child. All other sex crimes are punishable by a period of imprisonment, a period of probation, or both. Even worse, convictions for sex crimes almost always require registration as a sex offender.
The New York Sex Offender Registration Act requires that a sex offender register for at least twenty years, but in some cases, the registration requirement is for life. The registration requirements are very stringent, resulting in incarceration if you fail to follow the registration rules or potential harassment from the community when you do follow the rules. A sex crime conviction can impact almost every aspect of your life, which is why it is imperative that you contact Renna Law Office, PLLC if you or someone you know has been accused of such a crime in New York,
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you are facing sex crime charges in the Southern Tier of New York, it is critical to seek experienced legal counsel immediately. Contact Renna Law Office, PLLC, to schedule a free consultation. We will carefully evaluate your case, explain your options, and begin building a strong defense designed to protect your rights and your future. Call 607-233-0833.
