Tempe Sex Crimes Defense Attorney click for a free consultation

Being accused of committing a sex crime charge in Tempe, Arizona, is a stressful and terrifying experience for you and your loved ones. The minute you find yourself facing a sex crimes charge, you need to contact a skilled attorney with the experience necessary to build a rock-solid defense of your case. At AZ Defenders, our Tempe sex crimes defense attorneys are ready to investigate all aspects of your case.

Why Choose AZ Defenders For A Sex Crimes Defense Case?

The impact of a possible sex crime conviction can be profound. You need to turn to an experienced attorney you can trust both personally and professionally. AZ Defenders is ready to get to work.

• You can count on our legal team bringing more than 20 years of combined legal experience to your case, and we know the tactics used by prosecutors for these cases.
• Our lawyers are well-respected in the Tempe, Arizona community, and we have built a reputation as one of the most aggressive criminal defense firms in the country. We do not settle for guilty pleas and are ready and willing to bring your case to court to ensure you are treated fairly.
• We treat each client with dignity and respect because we understand how serious these charges are for your life.

What Are Common Sex Crimes Charges In Tempe, Arizona?

Arizona has many different classifications and definitions of sex crimes. It is important to understand the exact language of the law that is involved in your case after you are accused or officially charged with a sex crime in Tempe. Some of the most common sex crimes charges that Arizona residents face include the following:

• Child Molestation – A.R.S. 13-1410: intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual contact with a child who is under the age of 15 years old, except contact with the female breast.
• Internet Child Pornography – A.R.S. 13-3553: recording, filming, photographing, developing, duplicating, distributing, transporting, exhibiting, receiving, selling, purchasing, electronically transmitting, possessing or exchanging any visual depiction in which a minor is engaged in exploitive exhibition or other sexual conduct.
• Sexual Assault – A.R.S. 13-1406: intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with any person without that person’s consent.
• Indecent Exposure – A.R.S. 13-1402: exposing one’s genitals, anus, or the areola or nipple of a female breast while another person is present, and the defendant is reckless about whether the other person would be offended or alarmed by the act.
• Sex Abuse – A.R.S. 13-1404: intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual contact with any person who is 15 years old or older without the consent of that person, or with any person who is under the age of 15 if the contact only involves the female breast.
• Sexual Misconduct with a Minor – A.R.S. 13-1405: intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with any person who is under 18 years of age. 

At AZ Defenders, our attorneys have years of experience defending sex crimes cases of all types. We have everything you need to build a strong defense, whether the goal is to dismiss the case, reduce the charges and penalties, or have you acquitted at trial. You will work closely with your attorney to craft the best available defense strategy for your situation.

Potential Penalties for a Sex Crimes Conviction in Tempe

If you are convicted of any type of sex crime in Tempe, you could be facing a life-changing sentence. Penalties for these offenses vary, but a conviction can lead to a person being sentenced to up to 28 years in prison if they have a prior felony conviction.

Examples of potential penalties for sex crimes convictions include:

• Mandatory minimum jail or prison time
• Long prison sentences, often without the possibility of parole
• Long-term or lifelong probation
• Expensive fines and victim restitution
• Revocation of professional licenses
• Ineligibility for certain careers
• Trouble finding housing and employment upon release
• Potential effects on family law matters, such as child custody

In addition to a loss of freedom with a jail or prison sentence, sex crime convictions often result in a person’s reputation being ruined in a community. These convictions will show up on background checks, making it hard to gain employment, attend school, and find housing.

The defendant may also have to register on the statewide Sex Offender List for life.

Will a Conviction Put You on Arizona’s Sex Offender Registry?

A conviction for a sex crime in Arizona will almost always result in a person having to register as a sex offender. The Sex Offender Registry in Arizona is a publicly viewable list of people who have been convicted of certain sex crimes, including those involving children or minors. It has three tiers based on the severity of the crime allegedly committed: Levels 1, 2 and 3. 

If put on the list at Level 3, the most severe, the community will be notified if you move into the area. If you are on the Sex Offender List, there are also rules and restrictions regarding where you can live. You will also have to notify law enforcement when you move or travel. Entry on the Sex Offender Registry lasts for the rest of the defendant’s life.

How Will An Attorney Help Your Case?

These cases require extensive assistance from a skilled Tempe criminal defense lawyer. You can trust us to craft a strong and effective defense strategy on your behalf based on your unique circumstances. Most individuals charged with these crimes do not have the resources or experience necessary to mount a proper defense of their case. There are several defense strategies that your attorney could apply in these cases:

• That you were not in possession of the material (for child pornography charges)
• That there was a case of mistaken identity
• The sexual encounter was consensual
• The victim misrepresented their age (for assault of a minor)
• You were falsely accused by a divorcing spouse or former partner
• There was no actual physical contact between you and the accuser

Our attorneys begin each case with a comprehensive review of the facts, including the evidence the prosecution has and our client’s criminal background. Then, we create the strongest possible defense strategy available. We perform due diligence on each case to avoid any surprises. 

Your Tempe sexual assault defense attorney will be fully prepared to call medical, psychological, and forensic expert witnesses to help your case in order to protect your civil rights and freedom.

What You Can Do Moving Forward

If you or a loved one are facing any Arizona sex crime charges, or are being investigated for a sex crime, seek assistance from a skilled criminal defense attorney immediately. At AZ Defenders, we are going to get to work on your case immediately and conduct a thorough investigation of the charges against you. Those convicted of sex crimes in Arizona face serious penalties and life-long consequences. When you need a Tempe sex crimes defense attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling (480) 456-6400.