Three Tips for Beating a Sex Crime Charge in Arlington Heights

 Posted on November 04, 2022 in Criminal Law

Being accused of a crime can have a catastrophic impact on your life, family, career, and reputation. This is especially true when it comes to sex crimes. Once you are charged with a sex crime, life as you know may feel over. Even if you are proven innocent of the offense, the very notion that you were ever connected to such abhorrent accusations can have a profoundly detrimental impact on one's life.

Few crimes produce more outrage than sex crimes. Many may assume your guilt as soon as you are charged. Luckily, in the United States judicial system, you are innocent until proven guilty. If you or someone your loved one has been accused of a sex crime, it is imperative you seek legal counsel immediately to fight the charges and to prove your innocence. 

Three Tips for Beating a Sex Crime Charge

Sex crimes are often aggressively prosecuted, as the state will likely do everything possible to ensure you are convicted. Aside from significant prison time, if you are convicted of a sex crime, you will probably need to register as a sex offender. According to a study conducted in 2021, Illinois has the fifth-highest total number of people on the sex offender registry out of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The State of Illinois does not take kindly to sex crimes and will likely exercise the full force of the law to ensure you are convicted.

If you find yourself charged with a sex crime, there are three things you can do to give yourself the best shot of achieving a favorable outcome in the case. These include:

• Avoid self-incrimination – You may not realize it, but a robust defense strategy often begins before the accused party even hires a defense attorney. Once you have been charged with a sex crime, it is vital that you remain silent and refuse to take part in any interrogation by the police. When you refuse to speak to the police, an officer might bait you by claiming that you must have something to hide since you are staying silent. Do not fall victim to these police tactics; they want to get you to talk. Remember, you have a constitutional right to avoid self-incrimination. Decline police questioning and ask for a lawyer as soon as possible.  
• Pinpoint Flaws in Prosecution's Case – Your legal counsel can work with you to help locate evidence that may very well contradict the charges being brought against you. This evidence can then be used to cast doubt on the prosecution's claims. Identifying inconsistencies in the prosecution's case and continually poking holes in what they say may help build reasonable doubt in the court's mind. 
• Discredit the Accuser and Prosecution's Witnesses – People are charged daily with crimes they did not commit. The same goes for sex crimes. Someone accusing you of a sex crime may regret a consensual sexual encounter and then claim the meeting was non-consensual. If your lawyer can show that the accuser has been deceitful in the past, this can help cast further doubt on the credibility of their claims. 

Contact a Rolling Meadows Sex Crimes Attorney

Sex crimes are tremendously serious. At Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law, we will work diligently to prove your innocence and protect your rights. If you have been charged with a sex crime, contact an experienced Arlington Heights sex crimes attorney who will fight to secure the best possible outcome for your case. Call 847-253-3400 today for a free and comprehensive consultation.

Source: 

https://www.safehome.org/data/registered-sex-offender-stats/