About Sex Crimes and the Law

Columbus Sex Crime Defense Attorney

READ BRAD KOFFEL'S FALSE SEX CRIMES LAW BLOG

Everyday, there seems to be another story of a teacher, coach, or relative allegedly having sexual relationships with teenagers. If you don't hear about that one day, you'll hear about sexual material involving minors. Ohio law has a handful of statutes that cover these offenses which are found in R.C. 2907. Rape, Sexual Battery, Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Gross Sexual Imposition, Sexual Imposition, Importuning, Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles, Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor, and Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance. Every single one of these crimes triggers sex offender registration and notification ("SORN") under the new Adam Walsh Act ("AWA"). Attorney Brad Koffel has successfully defended these types of cases. The key is to find the right client and the right case to defend. State or federal charges almost make a huge difference in disposition and sentencing.

There are few circumstances more frightening than being accused of committing a sex crime. Being charged with any sex crime can destroy your reputation and your future, and a conviction usually results in becoming a registered sex offender, with your picture, name and address as well as the charge that you were convicted of being on display for any person in the area searching on a computer. It is absolutely crucial that you have strong legal representation from a Columbus criminal defense attorney. The legal team from Koffel Law Firm assists clients who are facing any sex crime charge, including the following:

Computer Sex Crimes

Computer sex crimes, including owning pornography or child pornography, can have lifelong consequences for a person who is merely accused of this type of criminal act. From losing your job to facing prison time, you will face a life full of negative repercussions when accused of this type of offense. Click here to learn more about computer sex crimes. Under Ohio law, we primarily see Importuning, Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles, Pandering, and Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance (R.C. 2907.07 and 2907.31-2907.323)

Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles

Furnishing, selling or presenting obscene material to a juvenile directly and in any manner constitutes disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. Additionally, merely offering to do so can be considered a crime of distribution of harmful material. Click here to continue reading more about crimes of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.

Gross Sexual Imposition

As a serious felony charge that is administered to those in offense to the law, gross sexual imposition is filed when a person is accused of sexually touching a person who is unable to resist due to being under the influence of a mind-altering substance, including alcohol and drugs. Click here to learn more about the offense of gross sexual imposition.

Importuning

Importuning is the criminal act of attempting to get a young, underage person to engage in sexual activity of any type. For these charges, the age difference between the victim and the perpetrator is taken into account. Click here if you wish to learn more about charges relating to importuning.

Ohio Offense Tiers

In Ohio, there are three tiers of sex-related offenses, all of which can be reviewed and discussed with your Columbus criminal defense lawyer. To find out if the offense you have been charged with falls into the category of tier 1, tier 2 or tier 3, please talk to the Koffel Law Firm today. Click here to review the Ohio offense tiers.

Ohio Sex Offender Registration

When an individual is convicted of a sex-related offense in Ohio, he or she must register as a sex offender in the state. Their information, including name, offense and address, will be provided on a list available to the public. If you have been convicted of an offense and must register or if you would like to learn more about the Ohio sex offender registration, click here.

Public Indecency

Public indecency, which is also commonly referred to as lewd conduct, can be classified as a 5th degree felony all the way to a 4 th degree misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances of the offense. This crime includes exposing private parts, engaging in sexual activity or activity that could be considered sexual to an observer. Click here to read more about public indecency.

Rape

Being merely accused of rape can destroy your reputation; it will create a large stir in the community in addition to creating tension between you, your employer and personal relationships. When in the face of rape charges, you will need an aggressive defender at your side. Click here to learn more about charges of rape.

Sexual Battery

The crime of sexual battery is defined in the O.R.C. 2907.03 under 13 different types of variations. In general, it includes the sexual conduct of another person, whether the victim was impaired or not. A person can even be accused of this offense if they mistakenly believe that the victim is their spouse. Click here to learn more about sexual battery.

Sexual Imposition

Sexual imposition is the act of inappropriately touching another individual. In many cases, it involves a figure of authority such as a doctor, therapist or dentist, or a perpetrator who touches an individual who is impaired in some fashion. Click here if you would like to continue reading more about crimes of sexual imposition.

Unlawful Sexual Conduct

As with all criminal charges, the offense of unlawful sexual conduct is taken very seriously in the state of Ohio. Being charged with this offense can be life changing and hold serious consequences for years to come. Call the Koffel Law Firm immediately for representation with an offense such as this. Click here to continue reading more about unlawful sexual conduct.

Voyeurism

Voyeurism is known as a sexual offense that can create a large stir in the media and hold repercussions including job loss. While it is usually charged as a misdemeanor offense, in cases relating to the video taping of sexual acts, there may be additional charges. Click here to read more about sexual offenses and voyeurism.

Sex Crime Defense Lawyer in Columbus

Ohio lawmakers have made the penalties for sex crimes extremely harsh; if you are convicted you could spend years in state prison as part of the punishment. First degree felony sex charges can result in up to 10 years spent in prison. For sexual crimes that include weapons, the penalties are increased, as well as in cases in which the individual has a prior criminal record. It is crucial that you contact Koffel Law Firm immediately if you are facing sex crime charges. The defense team can analyze the case and advise you how to proceed with the defense and what to expect in the court process. Based on the circumstances of the case, the defense strategy that will be employed can vary. For those who are innocent of the charges, you are still required to defend yourself, and the prosecutor will fight just as hard to convict you whether you actually committed the crime or not. They have the evidence and they want you to pay the price.

It is critical that you act swiftly, as witnesses for the defense can be harder to find as time goes by, and the defense needs to move forward at once. Do not answer questions from police or investigators until you have an attorney from Koffel Law Firm to protect your rights and advise you during any questioning.

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Contact a Columbus sex crime defense lawyer from Koffel Law Firm.