Have You Been Accused of a Sex Crime in Ohio? Here Are Some Possible Defenses

Is your world falling apart because you’ve been unfairly accused of a sex crime, and there is a warrant out for your arrest? Facing an arrest for a sex crime you did not commit is a shocking and emotionally devastating experience. The first step is not to panic. Remember, anyone can falsely accuse anyone of anything.

The time to give your side of the story will come, but for now, you must consult with a sex crimes lawyer right away. You do not want to make mistakes that can only make proving your innocence more difficult. A Cleveland, Ohio, sex crimes lawyer from the Fortress Law Group, LLC, will help you build a case, gather and examine the evidence, and ensure that your rights are upheld.

Contact us today at (440) 340-1740 to schedule your case evaluation so we can explore your defense options. We defend good people accused of bad things.

Types of Sex Crimes in Ohio

There are many different types of sex crimes in Ohio. Some of the most common include rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, and child pornography. The specific charge will determine which defenses are available to you.

Common Defenses to Sex Crimes in Ohio

There are several defenses that your attorney can use in cases involving sex crimes in Ohio. Some of the most common include:

False Allegations Defense

Unfortunately, there are many reasons why someone would falsely accuse another person of a sex crime. Sometimes, people may make false allegations to get revenge, gain an advantage in a custody battle, or for other ulterior motives.

If you can show that the allegations against you are false, this can be used as a defense. This may be done by providing evidence such as text messages, emails, or social media posts that contradict the allegations. In any event, if there is evidence that the accuser is not being truthful, it may be enough to get the charges against you dismissed.

Mistaken Identity Defense

In some cases, an accuser may genuinely believe that you committed a sex crime against them when you did not. This can happen when the accuser was intoxicated at the time of the alleged incident and does not correctly remember who committed the act. It can also happen if the accuser was shown a photo lineup that included your picture and mistakenly identified you as the perpetrator.

Alibi Defense

If you were not at the crime scene, you could not be guilty of that crime. An alibi defense is one where you provide evidence proving you were not at the crime scene. The evidence could be in the form of witness testimony, video footage, or any other type of evidence that can place you at a different location at the time of the crime.

Consent Defense

In some situations, you may have had consent to engage in sexual conduct with the accuser. For example, if you are charged with rape, but you and the accuser were in a consensual sexual relationship at the time of the alleged incident, this may be a valid defense. Similarly, if you are charged with sexual battery (i.e., groping), but the accuser consented to be touched in that manner, this, too, could be a defense to the charge.

However, there are certain circumstances where consent is not a defense. For example, if the alleged victim was under the age of 18 or was unable to give consent due to intoxication, then consent is not a valid defense.

Lack of Evidence Defense

For the prosecution to convict you of a sex crime, they must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime. If there is no physical evidence or eyewitnesses to corroborate the alleged victim’s story, that may be enough to create reasonable doubt in a jury’s mind.

How Can a Sex Crimes Attorney Help Me Build a Defense If I’ve Been Accused of a Sex Crime in Ohio?

If you’ve been accused of a sex crime in Ohio, consulting with an experienced sex crimes attorney who can help you build a strong defense is essential. An attorney can:

• Review the evidence against you and look for holes or weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
• Interview witnesses and gather evidence to support your defense
• Help you understand the charges against you and what you face
• Advise you on whether to take a plea deal or go to trial
• Fight for your rights and ensure that you are treated fairly throughout the legal process

Steps You Can Take to Protect Yourself if You’ve Been Accused of a Sex Crime in Ohio

If you’ve been accused of a sex crime in Ohio, there are a few steps you can take to protect yourself:

• First and foremost, do not talk to the police without an attorney present. Anything you say can and will be used against you.
• Do not post anything about your case on social media. Anything you post can be used as evidence against you.
• Be polite and respectful to everyone involved in your case, including the judge, prosecutors, and your attorney.
• Follow all court orders and restrictions imposed by the court.
• Show up for all court appearances and meetings with your attorney.

Call Fortress Law Group – We Defend Good People Accused of Bad Things

If you face sex crime charges, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. At Fortress Law Group, our legal team has a strong forensic evidence and molecular genetics background. Forensic evidence can make a significant difference in your case, and this is a strength you want on your side.

A Willoughby sex offense attorney from the Fortress Law Group will help you build a case, gather and examine the evidence, and ensure that your rights are upheld.

Contact us today at (440) 340-1740 for a case evaluation so we can explore your defense options. You can also fill out our online form here. We defend good people accused of bad things.