Sex Crimes Defense Attorney in Abingdon and Tazewell, Virginia

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, a person may be arrested and charged with a sex crime for committing an offense relating to sexual misconduct or illegal sexual activity. Convictions for these crimes can jeopardize your personal reputation, freedom, career, future opportunities, and every other aspect of your life. 

You have the right to protect your future. If you're under investigation for committing a sex-related offense, it’s crucial to hire a skilled Virginia criminal defense attorney for detailed guidance and help building your defense. Our lawyer at Letsen Law Firm is a former prosecutor with extensive litigation experience. We’re committed to offering comprehensive legal counsel and reliable representation to clients facing sex crime charges. As your representation, we can investigate every last detail of your case and craft a strong defense strategy in pursuit of your most favorable outcome. 

Letsen Law Firm proudly represents clients across Washington County (Abingdon) and Tazewell County, Virginia, and the surrounding areas throughout Russell County, Buchanan County, Smyth County and the Virginia side of Bristol City. Contact our firm today to learn how we can help protect your rights and freedom.

Types of Sex-Related Crimes in Virginia 

Sex crimes refer to offenses of unlawful sexual conduct and non-consensual sexual acts that can be prosecuted by state courts. Here are some of the most common sex-related crimes in the Virginia: 

Rape 

Under Virginia law, a person may be charged with rape for having sexual intercourse with another person against their will using threat, force, or intimidation. Also, having sexual intercourse with someone who is mentally incapacitated or below 13 years is also considered as rape. 

Statutory Rape 

In Virginia, a person may be charged with statutory rape for having non-forcible sexual intercourse with someone who is below the statutory age of consent – usually 16 years. 

Sexual Battery 

According to Virginia law, sexual battery involves the crime of sexual abuse of someone else using force, trick, intimidation, or threat without the victim's consent. 

Aggravated Sexual Battery 

Under Virginia law, a person commits the crime of aggravated sexual battery if he or she sexually abuses someone else under the following situations: 

• The victim is physically or mentally incapacitated. 

• The victim is below 13 years. 

• The defendant is a parent, grandparent, stepparent, or step-grandparent, and the victim is between 13 and 18 years. 

• The victim is between 13 and 15 years, and the sexual act was committed using force, intimidation, or threat. 

Prostitution 

Prostitution involves trading sexual favors for money, an item of value, or asking another person to engage in a transaction of a sexual nature. 

Forcible Sodomy 

According to Virginia law, forcible sodomy is a crime which involves having oral or anal intercourse with another person without the victim's consent. 

Forcible Fondly 

In Virginia, forcible fondly involves touching another person's private body parts for the purpose of gratification against the victim's will or in a forcible manner. 

Taking Indecent Liberties with a Child 

Under Virginia law, a person may be charged with taking indecent liberties with a child for committing any of these criminal acts: 

• Exposing sexual organs or genitals to a child who the defendant isn't married to. 

• Asking a minor to expose their sexual organs or genitals. 

• Asking a minor to fondle their sexual organs or genitals. 

• The defendant requested to fondle the child's sexual organs or genitals. 

• Asking a child to engage in a sexual act or sodomy. 

Consent Under Virginia Laws 

According to Virginia laws, informed consent means knowing and voluntarily agreeing to participate in sexual activity without undue inducement, force, coercion, deceit, or fraud. Generally, the person consenting to the sexual activity must know the type or nature of the activity they are agreeing to and act freely and voluntarily. 

Also, the legal age of consent in Virginia is 18 years. Only competent individuals who are at least 18 years old may legally consent to sexual activity. Although, there is a Virginia Romeo and Juliet Law which permits minors between 15 and 17 years to give consent to other minors within the same age range. 

Registering as a Sex Offender   

According to the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Act, defendants who have been convicted of certain sex crimes in Virginia are required to register as a sex offender with the Virginia State Police within three (3) days of being released from jail or prison. Some crimes that require registering as a sex offender include: 

• Rape 

• Object sexual penetration 

• Taking indecent liberties with a minor 

• Carnal knowledge of a minor who is 13 or 14 years old. 

• Forcible sodomy 

• Aggravated sexual battery 

• Any sexual violent offense 

However, failure to register as a sex offender may result in additional criminal charges. A knowledgeable criminal law attorney can enlighten you about the nature of your charges and the potential punishments. 

Possible Penalties 

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, a defendant convicted of a sex-related offense may face any of these penalties and ramifications: 

• Substantial fines and court fees. 

• Lengthy prison sentence (ranging from months, years, or decades) 

• Mandatory registration as a sex offender 

• A criminal record or history 

• Loss of personal freedom and social prospects 

• Increased difficulty in getting accommodation or employment 

• Loss of the right to own or carry a firearm 

• Loss of scholarships opportunities 

• Inability to enroll in some educational institutions 

• Increased difficulty in getting public benefits 

• Damage to professional and personal relationships. 

Choose a Highly-Skilled Criminal Defense Attorney 

Defending your accusation without experienced representation and guidance can expose you to the risks of suffering the maximum penalties. A trusted lawyer can build a solid defense to help you avoid the devastating penalties and consequences of a criminal conviction.  

At Letsen Law Firm, we have the resources and experience to provide individualized defense strategies for clients facing sex crime charges. Our attorney is a former prosecutor and knows how to anticipate the opposing side’s arguments. We can help you navigate the Virginia criminal justice system and represent you intelligently at every phase of the legal process.  Let us be your advocate. Reach out today to start building your defense.