Top-rated Sexual Assault Defense Lawyers in Wiscasset, Maine
Being charged with sexual assault in Wiscasset is a serious legal matter with potentially life-altering consequences. A conviction can lead to years in prison, mandatory sex offender registration, and long-term damage to your reputation, career, and personal relationships. Even before your case reaches trial, the accusation alone can affect nearly every aspect of your life.
Maine law defines sexual assault broadly, covering a wide range of offenses—from unlawful sexual contact to gross sexual assault involving alleged non-consensual acts. These cases often turn on disputed facts, conflicting testimony, and questions about consent, making it essential to have a skilled criminal defense attorney who understands how to navigate complex sexual offense charges.
At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, our Wiscasset sexual assault defense attorneys are committed to protecting your rights and your future. We take a strategic, evidence-based approach to every case—examining the facts, challenging the prosecution’s claims, and working toward the best possible outcome. If you are facing sexual assault charges in Wiscasset or anywhere in Lincoln County, contact our team today to begin building your defense.
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
What is sexual assault in Maine?
Sexual assault, Title 17-A §251, encompasses a wide range of offenses in Wiscasset, Maine, including those that occur without physical force. Under Maine law, any sexual act obtained through threats—whether physical, verbal, or implied—may be classified as sexual assault. Gross sexual assault, Title 17-A §253, is a specific legal term used to describe unlawful sexual acts where the alleged victim was unable to provide legal consent. Importantly, Maine law does not require the alleged victim to resist or fight back for an act to be considered sexual assault.
Sexual assault charges can arise from various circumstances, including engaging in sexual activity with:
- A person who is mentally incapacitated and unable to consent.
- A person under the age of consent, which is 16 in Maine.
Sex Crimes Prosecuted as Sexual Assault in Wiscasset, Maine
Maine law treats sexual assault as a broad category of criminal offenses, ranging from serious felonies like gross sexual assault to misdemeanor-level charges such as indecent exposure. While the legal classifications and penalties vary, every accusation of sexual assault carries serious consequences, including the risk of incarceration, mandatory sex offender registration, and lasting damage to your reputation and future.
In Wiscasset, individuals may face sexual assault charges based on a wide range of alleged conduct. These can include non-consensual acts, cases involving minors or incapacitated individuals, and behavior classified as sexually explicit or harassing.
Common sexual assault charges in Maine include:
- Gross Sexual Assault: Sexual acts committed without consent, often involving force, threats, coercion, or when the alleged victim is unable to consent.
- Sexual Abuse of a Minor: Any sexual activity involving someone under Maine’s age of consent, which is 16, regardless of whether the minor appeared to consent.
- Unlawful Sexual Contact: Non-penetrative, unwanted sexual touching, particularly involving minors or individuals who are physically or mentally unable to provide consent.
- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor: Possessing, producing, or distributing sexually explicit content involving minors, or involving a child in explicit conduct.
- Child Enticement: Using digital communication, social media, or other means to solicit a minor for sexual activity.
- Indecent Exposure: Intentionally exposing genitalia in public or in a manner intended to offend or cause alarm.
- Sexual Harassment and Stalking: Repeated, unwanted sexual conduct, messages, or threats that create fear or an intimidating environment for the alleged victim.
If you have been accused of any of these offenses in Wiscasset, it is vital to speak with a criminal defense attorney experienced in handling sexual assault cases. Early legal intervention can make a significant difference in how your case is handled and resolved.
Penalties for Sexual Assault in Wiscasset, Maine
The severity of the charge depends on the circumstances of the alleged offense. Some cases result in misdemeanor charges, while others are classified as felonies with life-altering consequences.
- Gross sexual assault can be charged as a Class A felony, carrying penalties of up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $50,000.
- A conviction often results in mandatory sex offender registration, which can impact employment, housing, and personal relationships for life.
What is Considered Gross Sexual Assault in Maine? (Video)
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.
How Age Differences Impact Sexual Assault Charges in Maine
- Unlawful Sexual Contact – If the alleged victim is under 14, it is considered unlawful sexual contact if the accused is at least three years older. Additionally, if the alleged victim is 14 or 15 years old, the crime becomes more severe if the accused is at least 10 years older.
- Sexual Abuse of a Minor – The offense becomes more serious when there is a 10-year or greater age gap between the accused and the alleged victim.
- Gross Sexual Assault (Rape) – Age is a significant aggravating factor in these cases. If the alleged victim is a minor, the mandatory minimum sentence can start at 20 years in prison.
Attempted Sexual Assault and Child Enticement Laws in Maine
Attempted sexual assault is a criminal offense in Maine, even if no sexual act actually occurs. The law recognizes that an attempt to commit a sex crime poses a serious threat, and prosecutors aggressively pursue these cases.
One specific form of attempted sexual assault in Maine is known as child enticement. This occurs when someone attempts to lure, solicit, or entice a child under the age of 14 for the purpose of sexual misconduct. Even if no physical contact occurs, the mere attempt is a felony offense and can result in severe penalties.
Depending on the circumstances, attempted sexual assault charges in Maine can lead to:
- Felony convictions that carry significant prison time
- Mandatory sex offender registration, possibly for life
- Permanent criminal records, affecting employment and personal freedoms
If you have been accused of attempted sexual assault or child enticement, you need an experienced Wiscasset sexual assault defense attorney on your side. At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we know how to challenge weak evidence, expose flaws in the prosecution’s case, and protect your rights against false accusations or misinterpretations of intent.
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.
Possible defenses to sexual assault charges in Maine
If you’ve been accused of sexual assault in Wiscasset, it is important to remember that a charge is not the same as a conviction. With the right legal representation, there may be effective defenses to your sexaul assault accusation that can apply to your case.
At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, our Wiscasset sexual assault defense attorneys evaluate every detail of your case and build a strategy aimed at protecting your rights and your future.
Mistaken Identity
Sexual assault cases often rely on eyewitness accounts, which can be unreliable. If the accuser incorrectly identified you as the perpetrator, your attorney may challenge the identification process. Factors like poor lighting, high stress, or a brief encounter can result in a wrongful accusation. If there is no physical evidence tying you to the alleged crime, this defense may be especially effective.
False Allegations
False accusations can arise from personal disputes, breakups, custody battles, or attempts to gain leverage in another legal matter. In these cases, your defense attorney can examine inconsistencies in the accuser’s story, look for evidence of ulterior motives, and gather testimony or documentation to demonstrate that the accusation is not credible.
Consent
In many sexual assault cases, the central issue is whether the act was consensual. If both parties agreed to the activity freely and voluntarily, then no crime occurred. However, proving consent can be difficult without witnesses. Digital communication, text messages, or social media exchanges may be used to help establish mutual agreement.
Close-in-Age Exemption (Romeo & Juliet Law)
Maine law provides a “Romeo and Juliet” exemption that may apply when both parties are close in age and the sexual activity was consensual. If the age difference is five years or less and the alleged victim was at least 14, this law may help prevent a conviction or reduce the charges. Your attorney can determine whether this exemption applies based on the facts of your case.
Mistaken Age Defense
In some situations, Maine allows a defense based on a reasonable mistake about the alleged victim’s age. If you believed the individual was of legal age and that belief was reasonable under the circumstances, this could be raised as a defense. However, supporting evidence must be presented to demonstrate the reasonableness of that belief.
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.
Can you be convicted of sexual assault if both parties were Intoxicated?
Yes, in Maine, being intoxicated does not automatically exempt someone from being convicted of sexual assault. In fact, alcohol and drug use often complicate sexual assault cases, making it harder to determine consent and increasing the legal risks for the accused. If you have been charged with sexual assault in Wiscasset, Maine, it is critical to understand how intoxication affects the case and what legal defenses may be available.
How does intoxication affect sexual assault charges in Maine?
Under Maine law, a person cannot legally consent to sexual activity if they are incapacitated due to alcohol, drugs, or another intoxicating substance. If the alleged victim was too impaired to give informed and voluntary consent, the prosecution may argue that the sexual act was non-consensual, even if both parties were drinking or using drugs.
On the other hand, intoxication is rarely a successful defense for the accused. A defendant cannot argue that they were too drunk to understand their actions unless they can prove they were so intoxicated that committing the crime would have been physically or mentally impossible—a very high legal threshold.
When Intoxication Might Be a Defense
There are very few circumstances in which intoxication may be a viable defense in a sexual assault case. Some possible arguments include:
- Involuntary Intoxication – If the defendant was unknowingly drugged or forced to consume an intoxicating substance, this may serve as a defense.
- Lack of Intent (Extreme Intoxication Cases) – In rare cases, if a defendant was so intoxicated that they were completely unaware of their actions, they may argue that they lacked the intent required for the crime. However, this defense is difficult to prove and rarely succeeds in sexual assault cases.
- Mutual Incapacitation (Complex Cases) – If both parties were equally incapacitated and neither had the ability to consent, the prosecution may struggle to establish clear culpability. However, this is a complex legal issue that requires careful case analysis by an experienced sexual assault defense attorney.
Should You Represent Yourself in a Sexual Assault Case in Maine? (Video)
Contact our Wiscasset sexual assault defense lawyers
Being charged with sexual assault in Wiscasset, Maine is a serious legal crisis that demands immediate and experienced representation. A conviction can lead to years in prison, mandatory sex offender registration, and permanent damage to your personal and professional life. The legal system is complex, and even one misstep could affect your case for years to come.
At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, our attorneys provide strategic and aggressive defense for individuals accused of sexual assault across Maine, including Wiscasset. We understand how these cases are investigated and prosecuted, and we know how to challenge weak evidence, expose legal flaws, and advocate for your rights at every stage.
If you are under investigation or have been arrested for sexual assault in Wiscasset or the surrounding area, contact us today. The sooner you speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney, the more options you may have to protect your freedom and your future. Schedule your confidential case consultation now.
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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