The penalties that result from a sex crime conviction are often severe and can affect a convicted offender for the rest of their life.
Even an allegation of a sex crime can tarnish an individual’s reputation and lead to the stigma of being a “sex offender” to follow them around indefinitely-even if they are eventually cleared of the charges.
The Maine Criminal Defense Group offers confidential consultations to guide you through this challenging period. Don’t confront any of these serious charges alone. Reach out to our highly acclaimed sex crime lawyers for a consultation today.
Should I Represent Myself for a Sex Crime Charge in Maine?
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
Table of Contents
Common Sex Crimes in Maine
A skilled Portland, Maine sex crime attorney will be able to defend your reputation against such charges. Some of the most common types of sexual offenses include:
Gross Sexual Assault
The act of forcing an unwanted sexual act upon another through coercion, physical force, and/or verbal threats
Rape
The act of forcing sexual intercourse upon another without their consent and/or despite objection, through coercion or physical force
Statutory Rape
The act of forcing sexual intercourse on a person who is not of age, or of engaging in any sexual acts with a person who is not of age, even with their consent
Child Molestation
Any sexual acts performed with a child or the act of exposing oneself inappropriately with the intention of sexual contact
Possession & Distribution of Child Pornography
Child pornography includes any images and / or videos involving a child that depicts sexually explicit acts
Indecent Exposure
The act of purposefully exposing parts of the body, including genital areas, the buttocks, and/or female breasts, in public or under inappropriate circumstances
Unlawful Sexual Contact or Touching
“Unlawful Sexual Contact or Touching” is defined as any non-consensual interaction involving the intimate parts of another person, including situations where the victim is unable to consent due to age or mental incapacity, and can result in severe legal penalties.
While these are some of the most prevalent sex crimes we handle, this list isn’t exhaustive. Penalties vary from steep fines, heavy jail time & registering on the national sex offender registration. If facing any sex crime charge, seek an aggressive sex crime defense attorney.
Are Sex Crime Misdemeanors or Felonies in Maine?
If convicted of these sexual offenses, serious penalties are likely to ensue. Depending on the type of sex crime, penalties may vary, but one may expect to face jail time and required registration in a sex offender database.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
Penalties for a Sex Crime Conviction in Maine
There are many factors that may contribute to the type of penalties that are waged against a defendant.
If drugs or alcohol were used to impair the other person’s ability to object, if verbal or physical threats were waged against them, if they were unconscious during any sexual act, or if they have not yet reached the age of consent, different classifications of crime, and the resulting penalties, will be decided.
In Maine, the penalties for sex crime convictions vary significantly based on the specifics of the case. Serious sex crime convictions can lead to severe penalties including lengthy prison sentences, substantial fines, probation, and mandatory registration as a sex offender.
Sex offender registration & duration can vary from 10 years to a lifetime, imposing restrictions that may impact housing, employment, and social relationships.
For less severe sex crimes, such as indecent exposure, consequences might include community service, probation, and mandatory counseling. Sex crimes in Maine can vary from Class E misdemeanors, carrying penalties such as up to 6 months in jail, to Class A felonies for gross sexual assault, which can potentially result in up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $50,000.
Due to the extreme variation in penalties arising from a sex crime allegation, it is important to secure and highly tenacious criminal defense lawyer at The Maine Criminal Defense Group to help you protect your rights and secure your freedom.
What is the Age of Consent in Maine?
The legal age of consent in Maine is 16 years old, but certain regulations can change the circumstances of what could be considered a statutory rape offense.
According to the Romeo and Juliet Law, if both parties are over 14 years old and the age difference between them is not greater than 5 years, it will not be considered a sex crime under the law.
If a person has not yet reached the age of consent and engages in a sexual act with someone more than 5 years older, however, this is considered a sexual offense.
Similarly, if a person is not yet 14 years old and engages in a sexual act with anyone who has reached the legal age of consent, that person can be charged with statutory rape-which falls under the category of “gross sexual assault.” The laws surrounding juvenile sex crimes are not always straight forward.
How much Jail Time for Gross Sexual Assault in Maine?
Contact The Maine Criminal Defense Group
The best way to make sure you get good results in your sex crime case is to hire a Maine sex crime defense lawyer to represent you. Again, sentencing and the resulting penalties will be strictly dependent on the type of crime that occurred and the circumstantial factors of the incident.
Contact one of our offices, located conveniently in Kennebunk & Portland, to speak with a compassionate & discrete, skilled sex crime attorney who can help you fight your sex crime charges. We serve all of Maine. Call us at (207) 571-8146 or contact us directly online. We look forward to helping you get your life back.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
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