TYPES OF SEX OFFENSES AND THEIR PENALTIES
As some of the most serious crimes a person can commit, sex crimes incur harsh penalties upon conviction. That is why you should speak with a Chicago criminal defense lawyer immediately after an arrest. You may be facing years or even decades in jail or prison for a felony offense, and you could be charged a fine of up to $25,000. Various types of sex offenses include, but are not limited to, the following:
Chat Rooms
Online messaging services are more heavily regulated than ever before due to the increase in claims such as indecency with a minor and solicitation. “Victims” can easily conceal their identity, including age, which can result in many sex crime allegations. If you were arrested for luring a minor or a related crime, you could be facing either a felony or misdemeanor charge.
Child Molestation
This is the offense of sexual conduct with an individual under the age of 18. An individual can be charged with this offense even if there was no penetration. Fondling and touching a child, if it is perceived to be sexual, can be charged as molestation.
Child Pornography
If you were arrested for possession of child pornography, sale, downloading or any other type of crime involving the visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexual acts, you can be charged with child pornography. Penalties include imprisonment, fines and sex offender registration.
Child Prostitution
This is illegal per 720 ILCS 5/11-14.4. If you were arrested for this type of sex offense against a minor, you will likely face a Class 1 felony charge.
Child Trafficking
This crime is part of the black market. Trafficking of humans for slavery and sex slavery is a federal offense. The ramifications of this type of conviction are life-altering, even if you are only alleged of playing a partial role in a child trafficking operation.
Criminal Sexual Assault/Rape
Rape (sexual assault) is the act of forcing an individual into a sexual act. It is illegal per 720 ILCS 5/11-1.20. It can also be considered rape to have sex with someone under the age of 18, even if it was consensual. This is called statutory rape.
Date Rape
This is one of the most commonly-alleged sex offenses, as the victim is not coherent at the time of the alleged attack. A thorough medical examination will be needed to substantiate this type of allegation in addition to proving that the defendant intentionally drugged or intoxicated the victim with the intent to commit a sex offense.
Failure to Register
Convicted sex offenders are required to register on the sex offender registry. Failure to do so can be charged as an additional criminal offense. Follow the link to learn more about compliance with the registry.
Federal Sex Crimes
If you have been arrested with a sex offense but your case is being held in federal court rather than state court, understand that Okabe & Haushalter is intimately familiar with this setting and has a record of success with federal court trials.
Internet Sex Crimes
Sex crimes do not necessarily have to be committed in person; they can be committed over the internet. Crimes such as child pornography downloading and viewing, chat room solicitation and luring of a minor can all take place online.
Luring of a Minor
This crime is often associated with kidnapping. It is a Class 4 felony for the first offense, and for the second offense it is a Class 2 felony, punishable by three to seven years’ imprisonment.
Prostitution
It is illegal to participate in the industry of buying and selling sex. Selling sexual contact for money or in exchange for something of value is illegal just as purchasing sexual favors is illegal. Typically, this is charged as a misdemeanor.
Public Indecency
Anyone who is 17 years old or older that purposefully exhibits their sexual organs in a lewd manner in public with the intent to arouse is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
Sex Offender Registration
All convicted sex offenders are required to register on the sex offender registry. There are different tiers of sex offenders depending on the crime and where it was committed. More severe offenders are required a greater length of registry.
Sexual Assault
There are three major types of sexual assault: criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault and predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.
Sexual Conduct with a Minor
Sex with a minor (someone under the age of 18) is considered statutory rape. The penalties differ depending on both the age of the victim as well as the age of the perpetrator.
Solicitation
In Illinois, this crime is called “Solicitation of a Sexual Act” and it can be found in 720 ILCS 5 § 11 14.1. These are allegations of asking sex in exchange for money or something of value.
CONSULT WITH A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER
The criminal defense attorneys with our firm have received various awards for their excellence, including high ratings on Avvo and inclusion in the Super Lawyers® list for more than five consecutive years. Ryan Okabe has an Avvo Rating of 9.3 Superb and Mark J. Haushalter is rated 10.0 Superb. Our firm has also been featured in the October 15, 2012 edition of Newsweekmagazine, where we were named a Leader in Criminal Defense. We have been featured in the media on various other occasions, as well. Call our offices at your earliest convenience to speak with a lawyer and find out what we can do to fight your sex crime charges. We have the experience and skill you need, so a Chicago sex crime lawyer at the firm today!