Are you a legal professional seeking information about sexual assaults or a victim of a sex crime? It’s important to understand key definitions and penalties to protect the interests of yourself or your client. In this guide, the best criminal attorney in Philadelphia provides information about major sex crimes.
At Brennan Law Offices, you’ll receive a no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. While the legal consequences depend on the circumstances surrounding a particular incident, they may include both fines and jail time for convicted offenders.
Two Types of Rape
Stranger rape involves an attacker unknown to the victim, while date rape involves an attacker known by the victim. Date rape is more common, but no less serious than stranger rape. Perpetrators often use weapons, threats, and violence during the crime. Pennsylvania law treats both types severely due to the devastating impact on victims.
What Is Sexual Assault?
When an offender has sexual intercourse against the wishes of the victim, it’s called sexual assault. Unlike rape, sexual assault doesn’t require force in Pennsylvania. In some cases, willing participants can file sexual assault charges. Talk to a knowledgeable assault attorney to learn whether your case has merit.
Child Pornography Definition
There are two types of charges regarding child pornography. They involve the possession or distribution of child pornography. Both charges refer to depicting minors engaging in or simulating sexual acts. Distributing child pornography in books, magazines, photos, or digital format is illegal. The fines and jail associated with these crimes depend on many factors, including the age of the child and the specific acts portrayed.
What Is Statutory Rape?
It’s illegal to engage in sexual acts with victims between the ages of 12 and 16 if the accused is more than four years older than the victim. That includes consensual encounters, which carry serious penalties in Philadelphia. Mentors, such as coaches and teachers, often receive more serious penalties due to a violation of trust. If you need help navigating the laws defining statutory rape, make an appointment with one of our talented attorneys today.
Definition of Child Molestation in Philadelphia
Child molestation describes sexual activities between an adult or older adolescent and a child. This may include inappropriate touching and sexual exploitation. It may also include acts that don’t involve touch, such as grooming and indecent exposure.
Internet Sex Crimes, a Wide Umbrella
Internet sex crimes encompass all forms of sexual exploitation online, including the following:
- Child pornography: Creating and distributing explicit images of minors or having them stored in digital format.
- Grooming: Using the internet to manipulate children for sexual purposes.
- Online solicitation: Seeking or conducting sexual conversations with minors.
- Other forms of online sexual exploitation.
It’s important to understand the legal ramifications for various sex crimes. For more information on your case, feel free to reach out to one of our sexual assault attorneys in Philadelphia. Additionally, we have included the penalties and fines associated with sexual offenses.
Penalties for Convicted Sexual Offenders
There are many factors that determine whether a specific action results in a conviction. Even then, penalties range widely depending on the severity of the crime. In general, felonies have heavier penalties than misdemeanors.
Whether you are the victim of a sex crime or have been accused of one, it can have a lasting impact on your life. Below, we have listed the fines and jail time associated with misdemeanor and felony sexual assault convictions. A conviction may also involve community service and mandatory counseling sessions.
- 3rd Degree Misdemeanor: Maximum fine of $5,000. Maximum jail time of 1 year.
- 2nd Degree Misdemeanor: Maximum fine of $5,000. Maximum jail time of 2 years.
- 3rd Degree Felony: Maximum fine of $15,000. Maximum jail time of 7 years.
- 2nd Degree Felony: Maximum fine of $25,000. Maximum jail time of 10 years.
- 1st Degree Felony: Maximum fine of $25,000. Maximum jail time of 20 years.
Contact A Philadelphia Sexual Assault Lawyer
Do you need help navigating the sexual assault laws in Philadelphia? Let a Philadelphia sexual assault lawyer at Brennan Law Offices help you! Contact us today!