Baton Rouge Sex Crime Attorney
Sex crimes, and the people under investigation for and charged with them, are particularly stigmatized in the criminal justice system. These cases involve very complex factors, and while time is of the essence in any criminal case, it is particularly important in sex crime cases. It is imperative that, if you are charged with a sex crime, you start building your defense early and find an experienced Baton Rouge sex crime lawyer to support you.
A sex crime conviction can alter your entire life. These are highly stigmatized crimes that can cause significant collateral consequences in addition to criminal penalties like imprisonment and fines.
Your personal, social, and professional reputation can be irreparably damaged by a sex crime conviction. Unfortunately, more so with sex crimes than other offenses, many parties assume guilt prior to trial. This includes prosecutors, the media, and public perception. It is important that your attorney understands how to quickly and effectively address this problem.
Longman Jakuback – Experienced Baton Rouge Sex Crime Defense Attorneys
Your Baton Rouge Sex Crimes Lawyer should have experience with defending individuals from sex crimes, both minor and severe. Our entire team has experience helping individuals who have been accused of sexual offenses, including cases that present with mental health complications as mitigation.
It’s important to find an attorney quickly after being arrested or charged with a sex crime. If you believe you are under investigation for a sex crime, you should also secure an attorney. The sooner you begin working with our team on your case, the earlier we can begin determining the right defense for your circumstances, gathering evidence, and mitigating the reputational damage that is inherent to many sex crimes.
At Longman Jakuback, we believe in providing a strong defense and advocating for those who are accused of crimes. We fight for our clients in court and strive to protect the rights of those who have been wrongfully accused.
For more on how we can craft unique strategies to incorporate into your defense or the defense of a loved one, call us in Baton Rouge at 225-383-3644 or complete our contact form. The criminal defense attorneys at Longman Jakuback represent clients in Baton Rouge and throughout Louisiana.
Sex Crimes Charged in Louisiana
Sex crimes in Louisiana include:
- Prostitution
- Soliciting for prostitutes
- Video voyeurism
- Voyeurism
- Sexting
- Nonconsensual disclosure of private image, or revenge porn
- Crime against nature
- Sexual abuse of animal
- Indecent behavior with juveniles
- Carnal knowledge of a juvenile
- Pornography involving juveniles
- Sexual acts in public
- Sexual abuse
- Sexual battery
- Genital mutilation
- Rape
- Human trafficking
Whether or not you or a loved one allegedly committed the crime, it is crucial that you find a skilled legal defense. Do not assume that, because you are innocent, the justice system will not find you guilty. You need an attorney to avoid wrongful conviction or overcharged penalties. Your Baton Rouge Sex Crime Lawyer can protect your rights and fight for the ideal outcome.
Penalties for Sex Crimes
Sex offense conviction can result in jail time, prison time, fines, and registration as a sex offender. The severity of the penalties can be affected by several factors. Aggravating factors may include prior convictions, whether the victim is a minor, and whether the victim is a person with a physical or mental disability.
Conviction of any criminal offense also results in a criminal record, which can have collateral consequences on your life, including making it hard to find housing and educational opportunities. However, these collateral consequences are frequently overshadowed by those caused by registering as a sex offender.
Understanding The Sex Offender Registry
Registration on the Sex Offender Registry is often a requirement for individuals who are convicted of or plead guilty to sex offenses. Adhering to all of the requirements of the registry is frustrating, expensive, and confusing — one mistake can easily get registrants into legal trouble for non-compliance. Courts have held time and again that the registry is non-punitive, but the reality is that time spent on the registry is a punishment in and of itself.
A sex offender registration in Louisiana lasts for a minimum of 15 years, but it can last for 25 years or life, depending on the severity of the conviction. A registered sex offender has limits on the locations they can live, places they can visit, and occupations they can hold. It can be incredibly complicated to comply with these requirements.
The information on the sex offender registry is also public knowledge, which can harm social and personal relationships in your life, as well as your reputation.
Sex offender registration requires you to submit a significant amount of personal information to the sheriff of the parish of your residence or residences. If you are a postsecondary school student, you must register with the on-campus law enforcement. You must provide information such as your name, address, photograph, crime you were convicted of, DNA sample, phone number, license plates, Social Security number, and other information.
If you fail to register or if you live or visit near prohibited places, you can face fines and imprisonment.
At Longman Jakuback, our attorneys are skilled at assessing cases for possible success in filing a Petition for Removal from the Sex Offender Registry. If you or a loved one is interested in filing this petition, contact us today for a free consultation regarding your post-conviction options.
FAQs:
The most effective way to fight sex crime charges is to work with a skilled criminal defense attorney to create a strong and relevant defense.
Depending on the circumstances of the crime and your arrest, a good defense may include:
- Mistaken identity
- Consensual act
- Unreliable witness
- False allegations
- Constitutional rights violations
- Entrapment
- Lack of probable cause
- Insufficient evidence to convict
By working with a criminal defense attorney, you may be able to prevent a sex crime conviction.
Yes, Louisiana is hard on sex offenders and prosecutes sex crimes harshly. Sex crimes are often incredibly serious and are incredibly stigmatized. Prosecutors pursue these charges harshly, and the media and general public often assume guilt before a trial has occurred.
This can increase the severity of the charges and make it harder for defendants to stand up for their rights. Registered sex offenders have several restrictions and requirements, which impact where they can live and what professions they are allowed to have.
Louisiana has three sex offender tiers, and Tier 1 sex offenders are the lowest risk tier. These are offenders unlikely to repeat-offend. These offenders must register annually for 15 years. Sex crimes that may result in a tier 1 classification include:
- Video voyeurism
- Stalking a victim under the age of 18
- Subsequent offense voyeurism
- Intentional exposure to HIV
- Prohibited sexual conduct between student and educator
- False imprisonment of a victim under the age of 18
- Crime against nature
- Indecent behavior with juveniles
- Sexual battery
Registered sex offenders cannot do several things in Louisiana, with restrictions on where they can live, work, and visit. A registered sexually violent predator is prohibited from being at the following locations:
- The property of any public or private secondary or elementary school
- Any motor vehicle or method of transportation used by a school to transport students
A sexually violent predator or sex offender cannot live within 1,000 feet of the following locations:
- Elementary or secondary school
- Child care residence
- Residential home
- Playground
- Youth center
- Early learning center
- Public swimming pool
- Arcade facility
Request Your Free Consultation With Longman Jakuback
It is terrifying and overwhelming to be charged with a sex crime, but you don’t have to navigate this process alone. At Longman Jakuback, our attorneys want to fight for you. We understand the difficulty of the position you’re in and can help you through this process. Our Baton Rouge Sex Crime Lawyer uphold your rights and work to limit the consequences of sex crime charges.
Longman Jakuback is located in Baton Rouge and defends the rights of clients throughout Louisiana. For a free and confidential consultation, call us at 225-383-3644 or complete our contact form. We have devoted our careers to the defense of the accused, the marginalized, and the imprisoned. We want to help you, too.