Defending Against Sex Crime Charges in Illinois

 Posted on November 29, 2023 in Sex Offenses

Sex crime charges and convictions carry life-changing consequences and need to be taken seriously. When facing such charges, you are encouraged to seek professional legal counsel immediately. Understanding the charges being levied against you and how to combat them is important to your defense. An aggressive attorney with experience defending clients against sex crimes is your best bet to protect your reputation while upholding your rights.

Avoid Self-Incrimination

Once you have been accused of a sex crime, it is in your best interest to remain silent. This means you do not discuss the case with anyone other than your legal representation. Do not answer police questions during interrogation, no matter how you think it makes you look. Anything you say can and will be used against you in trial, so do not give the prosecution any fuel to throw on the fire.

Hire An Experienced Attorney

Immediately after you are accused, you should request a lawyer once you are able. Ensure that whichever lawyer you choose has the experience to take on your unique case. An attorney who focuses on criminal defense, and only criminal defense, is more likely to understand precisely what to look for to create a solid defense as opposed to an attorney who only moonlights as a criminal defense lawyer. Do your due diligence in selecting a lawyer that you can trust and believe in to defend you against such serious charges. The best kind of attorney will help suppress evidence, discover evidence that contradicts the charges, challenge witness testimony, and determine if entrapment took place that had you committing the alleged offense.

How Does the Age of the Accuser Impact Defense Strategy?

Age can factor into many case points, requiring an attorney to switch things up. In statutory cases, age may be a critical point of the trial, even when consent is given. Age can also influence sentencing or become a factor in the trial. Cases where minors are being charged with sex crimes are usually handled by a juvenile court, which is often seen as beneficial to the defense. A less severe age gap between the parties can also be perceived as less of an issue than sexual acts committed between parties of a more substantial age gap.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

Penalties for sex crime convictions can be severe. It is because of this severity that an experienced Naperville, IL, sex crimes defense lawyer is essential to your case. Contact the Law Office of Philip R. Nathe at 630-416-7600 for a free consultation to discuss strategy and come up with a solid defense.