Criminal Defense Lawyer John E. MacDonald, Inc. of Providence, Rhode Island
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Have you been charged with a sex crime? Facing a sex crime charge can completely shake your entire world. Society will often see sex crimes as some of the most disturbing criminal acts. These accusations can destroy a person’s reputation, career, and personal life. It’s vital that you speak with an experienced sex crimes attorney immediately after an arrest or accusation. A skilled sex crime defense lawyer can provide you with the appropriate steps to manage this difficult legal challenge.
Contact the Law Office of John E. MacDonald today to discuss your sex crimes charge and how to move forward.
Under Rhode Island law, many offenses are categorized as sex crimes. These are clearly defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-37, and span everything from indecent exposure to rape.
But what these different charges all have in common is the fact that they’re very serious felonies. Each carries a severe potential sentence upon conviction—including a prison sentence of at least one year.
You’ll need a dependable, knowledgeable attorney to advocate aggressively on your behalf. As a veteran sex crimes defense lawyer, John E. MacDonald has vast experience representing clients faced with various sex crimes, including:
If you’re accused, charged, or under investigation of a sex crime, the sooner you contact a Rhode Island sex crime defense attorney, the better your chances of reaching a successful outcome.
The penalties for a sex crime will vary according to the severity of the charge. First-degree charges are more serious—and carry more severe penalties—than third-degree or second-degree charges.
If you’re charged with first-degree sexual assault in RI, the prosecution must prove that:
Rhode Island law defines “sexual penetration” as any kind of intercourse, intrusion, or oral sex related to the victim’s body.
Penalty: Minimum prison sentence of 10 years, up to life imprisonment.
If you’re charged with second-degree sexual assault in RI, the prosecution must prove that:
Rhode Island law defines “sexual contact” as intentional touching of the victim’s intimate parts—whether clothed or unclothed—for the purpose of sexual gratification, arousal, or assault.
Penalty: Minimum prison sentence of three years, up to 15 years.
If you’re charged with third-degree sexual assault in RI, the prosecution must prove that:
Penalty: Prison sentence for a maximum of five years.
If you’re charged with first-degree child molestation in RI, the prosecution must prove that:
Penalty: Minimum prison sentence of 25 years, up to life imprisonment.
If you’re charged with second-degree child molestation in RI, the prosecution must prove that:
Penalty: Minimum prison sentence of six years, up to 30 years.
If you’re charged with indecent solicitation of a minor in RI, the prosecution must prove that:
Rhode Island law defines “solicitation” as attempting to authorize, urge, command, incite, or advise another person to perform any kind of act (regardless of whether the act is to be performed via phone, computer, internet, or in-person).
Penalty: Minimum prison sentence of five years.
In a Rhode Island sex crimes case, every single thing you do carries a huge weight. Doing something as simple as discussing your case with loved ones can drastically alter your odds of winning a favorable outcome.
This is why the Law Office of Rhode Island Sex Crimes Attorney John E. MacDonald is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The sooner we start working on your case, the more time we have to build an aggressive, powerful defense strategy.
If you or a loved one is facing sex crimes charges in Rhode Island, call us today at 401.421.1440 for your free consultation. Don’t leave your freedom and your future up to chance.
Here are a few questions to consider when discussing your charge with a sex crime lawyer:
You should speak with a sex crimes attorney as soon as possible following your arrest. The sooner you call a Rhode Island sex crimes attorney to discuss your case, the better.
You see, a sex crime is one of the most serious offenses that someone can face. The faster you contact a sex crimes attorney, the more time your lawyer has to investigate your case and design an aggressive defense strategy. Don’t attend your arraignment hearing without speaking to your sex crimes attorney first.
When you ask your Rhode Island sex crime defense attorney the right questions throughout your initial consultation, you can better understand your legal matter and the possible solutions available. Some questions to ask your sex crime lawyer are:
Asking these questions at the Law Office of John E. MacDonald will allow your sex crime defense lawyer to explain their professional experience fighting for the rights of those accused. Your sex crimes attorney should be able to provide a long list of successful results, answer questions about your case, and explain how they plan to defend you.
Yes, Rhode Island does have a Romeo and Juliet law, which is formally known as a close-in-age exemption. Under this law, anyone over the age of 14 may legally consent so long as their partner is under the age of 18.
Said another way, a 15-year-old could legally consent to sex with a partner aged 16 or 17—even though RI’s age of consent is technically 16.
But this only applies to this specific scenario. If that same 15-year-old committed a sexual act with a 13-year-old, they could face several sex crimes charges in Rhode Island.
Yes, Rhode Island requires sex offender registration under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-37.1-3 for any individual who has:
You should also know there are different levels of community notification. The severity of your crime and past convictions will determine which level you’re categorized into.
Your level will determine which identifying info is given to people in your community, such as your address, a photo of you, and a description of the offense you committed.
Yes, a sex crime conviction may be expunged in Rhode Island if you meet the very specific eligibility criteria:
Said another way, your sex crime conviction won’t be eligible for expungement in RI if you were convicted of:
Speaking with an experienced, knowledgeable Rhode Island sex crime defense lawyer is the best way to understand whether expungement is a viable option for you.
Contact the Law Office of John E. MacDonald immediately if charged with a sex crime. When facing a sex crime charge, you need to work with defense lawyers specializing in this type of crime.
Rhode Island takes sex crime charges seriously, so your defense needs to be handled by competent sex crime lawyers with a strong background in sex crime law and experience defending those with similar charges. If you’re ready to discuss your charges with a skilled Rhode Island sex crimes attorney, contact the Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer Office of John E. MacDonald today.
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter. Also, the Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any lawyer as an expert or specialist in any field of practice.
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