Sexual assault is a very serious criminal offense that’s aggressively prosecuted in Phoenix. A conviction, and even an accusation, can damage reputations, ruin careers, and lead to social humiliation. These repercussions are far-reaching and can last for a lifetime, especially because those who are convicted on this charge are required to register as a sex offender on a list that’s accessible to the public.
A proper defense is crucial if you want to protect your life and your freedom. A sexual assault defense lawyer can help you understand what you’re up against, investigate the claims against you, and work hard to protect your future. When your freedom and life are hanging in the balance, your choices matter. Your lawyer’s skills and experience can make or break your case.
At Dworman Law, we know how devastating a sexual assault charge can be, so we work hard to protect our clients’ rights. Our criminal defense attorney Howard Dworman has extensive experience particularly in sexual assault defense. He has even helped clients avoid being charged through significant pre-charge work.
Whether you are facing sexual assault charges or are being accused of the offense, contact Dworman Law today by calling (480) 256-2449 for your best chance at your freedom to protect your rights.
Arizona Revised Statute 13-406 defines sexual assault as the “intentional or knowing engagement in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with any person without the consent of such person.” It is, essentially, the legal term for rape. Sexual assault is a class 2 felony in Arizona. A sexual assault charge may also be elevated depending on the circumstances, or charged in addition to another offense.
Some other offenses that are similar or closely related to sexual assault are prosecuted under specific Arizona laws, including:
In any sexual assault case, the key issue is consent. Consent is considered lacking if the victim was:
Talk to us at Dworman Law by calling 480-256-2449. We serve
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The penalties for sexual assault depend on several factors, including the victim’s age, the defendant’s age, whether the defendant has prior convictions, whether the defendant inflicted physical harm knowingly, and the circumstances surrounding the case.
For first-time offenders, a sexual assault conviction can get them between 5.25 to 15 years in prison. The presumptive sentence is 7 years. For repeat offenders, the sentence ranges are as follows:
The minimum and maximum terms may increase by three years if it’s established that the accused used a date rape drug to commit the crime. If the victim is under 12 years old or if the defendant inflicted physical harm knowingly, the court may give a lifelong prison sentence.
A convicted offender may receive the maximum prison sentence if the following aggravating factors are proven by the prosecution:
Under ARS 13-3821, people who are convicted of sexual assault charges will be required to register as a sex offender to warn the public. The following information will be included in the registry:
Being placed on this list can affect the person’s ability to take out loans, find housing, or even get a job.
A criminal defense lawyer will look at the facts of the case and implement a custom-tailored defense strategy for their client. Here are some of the possible defense strategies that may be used: