When you have been charged with a sex crime in Wyoming, MI, what you say next and what you do next will help determine what happens. Sex crimes charges have the potential to change your life forever, and you need to take immediate steps to protect your freedom, your family, and your future.
First, it is extremely important to exercise your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Whatever the sexual assault charges are, do not put yourself in further legal jeopardy by attempting to explain your side of the story to the police. Always keep in mind – ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you say CAN and WILL be used to build a case against you.
Even if the police are urging you to just “clear things up,” you could actually end up incriminating yourself, making your criminal sexual misconduct case far worse.
Second, and even more importantly, exercise another one of your rights guaranteed under the American criminal justice system. The Sixth Amendment says that you have the right to have an attorney present during questioning.
Then stop talking and immediately contact Blank Law, PC.
We serve the City of Wyoming, the local Grand Rapids area, and the entire State of Michigan.
Due to the serious nature of Michigan criminal sexual conduct charges, you need a law office with Wyoming defense attorneys whose area of practice focuses specifically on sex crimes.
If you are facing a sex crime charge, keep in mind that not all defense attorneys are up to the task of handling criminal sexual conduct cases. While most defense attorneys are competent enough for an ordinary crime, only specialized attorneys have the necessary knowledge and unique legal skill set required to help you successfully beat criminal sexual conduct charges.
There are many types of crimes in Wyoming, MI, both misdemeanors and felonies, all with the potential to ruin the rest of your life. The fact is, there is no such thing as a minor sex crime.
Even a misdemeanor Michigan sexual assault case can have you registering as a sex offender if you are convicted.
This brands you for life within your community and follows you everywhere you go. As a convicted sex offender, you have restrictions on where you can live, the kinds of jobs that you can have, and even the places you can visit. Since your name is on a publicly-accessible database, you have no privacy and you can experience constant harassment.
Under Michigan law, sex offender registration can even affect visitation and custody of your own children. You could lose your parental rights over a misdemeanor sex crime conviction.
This is why it is absolutely crucial to hire a criminal defense attorney – a sex crimes lawyer in Wyoming. Michigan state law is very complicated and nuanced. The difference between a misdemeanor sex crime charge and a felony criminal sexual conduct conviction can literally be how the statutes are interpreted in court.
With experience and expertise, the best CSC defense attorney knows how to give you the most effective criminal sexual conduct defense possible, so you can beat criminal sexual conduct charges in Wyoming, MI.
In the Grand Rapids area, the most-frequently charged sex crimes involve some degree of criminal sexual conduct.
To help you better understand why you need an attorney who focuses on the criminal defense of sex offenses in and around Grand Rapids, let’s take a closer look at the potential penalties if you are convicted of criminal sexual conduct.
To give yourself the best chance to beat these sex crime charges, contact Blank Law, PC, TODAY.
These sex crimes occur when force or threat of force are used, the sexual assault occurs during the commission of another felony, or when the alleged victim has not reached the legal age of consent.
Examples of these kinds of sex offenses could include forcible rape or date rape.
Felony – The maximum penalty for CSC 1st degree is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
These sex offenses occur under the same circumstances as CSC 1st degree, but instead involve any non-penetrative unlawful sexual contact, i.e., the non-consensual touching of private parts.
Felony – A CSC 2nd degree conviction is punishable by a prison term of up to 15 years.
Similar to 1st degree CSC, this is sexual abuse involving penetration. These sex crime charges can be filed even when the contact was supposedly consensual. However, if the alleged victim is not legally capable of granting consent – they were underage or mentally deficient, for example – sexual assault charges can be filed.
In other words, the Wyoming Police Department can arrest you and the Kent County District Attorney can still file sex crime charges against you, even if the victim refuses to cooperate.
This is why CSC 3rd degree is commonly referred to as statutory rape.
Felony – The maximum CSC 3rd degree Michigan penalty is 15 years in prison.
As with both 2nd and 3rd degree CSC, this sexual abuse crime involves non-penetrative sexual touching of private parts of an adult and someone who is incapable of legally granting consent.
Misdemeanor – CSC 4th degree sex crime convictions are punishable by up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $500, or both.
A Wyoming criminal sexual conduct conviction also means mandatory sex offender registration and lifetime electronic monitoring.
These stiff penalties make it clear that being charged with a criminal sexual conduct offense in the city of Wyoming, nearby Grand Rapids, or anywhere in Kent County is a serious matter that can affect every area of your life.
With so much at stake, you need a Michigan criminal sexual conduct lawyer with the proven experience, specialized knowledge, established reputation, and inspired passion to fight for your rights, your freedom, and your future.
Blank Law, PC is ready to help you. Reach out TODAY for a FREE CONSULTATION.
With almost 50 years of combined experience focusing on sex crimes in Michigan, Attorneys Nicole Blank Becker and Christopher Coyle of Blank Law, PC are your first, best, and most important resources when you need a strong defense for sex crime allegations.
When the rest of your life is on the line, these are the sexual assault defense lawyers you want by your side.
Likewise, Christopher served over 30 years as a Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor, eventually rising to Deputy Chief of the Special Victims Unit.
Their reputations as nationally-known authorities on sex crime law allows them to negotiate the best plea bargain deal on your behalf, helping you avoid expensive and risky trials.
To receive a free initial case consultation, please use this contact form. Send any relevant information about your case for review and follow-up. Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information. This email form is non-encrypted and does not offer security protection.
Please also note that merely sending this email does not yet create a privileged attorney-client relationship. That will be determined and possibly established during the actual consultation.
Now is not the time to settle for less than the best. Attorney Nicole Blank Becker and the rest of the legal team at the Blank Law, PC law firm are ready to fight for you and help you beat these criminal sexual conduct charges.