One of the most serious criminal offenses recognized under state law is child molestation. These accusations can negatively impact your life long before you ever enter a courtroom. Thankfully, there are ways to protect yourself in this situation with the help of a seasoned Atlanta child molestation lawyer.
If you have been accused of child molestation, it is vital for you to seek out legal counsel immediately. The allegations alone can damage your reputation, but that pales in comparison to the consequences of a conviction. Let a dedicated sex crimes attorney protect your rights and serve as your advocate.
In Georgia, a person commits child molestation under one of two specific circumstances. An Atlanta child molestation attorney can fight back against either of the following allegations.
The first, and most common, type of molestation involves the commission of an immoral or indecent act to or within the presence of a child below the age of 16. This act must be completed with the intention of arousal or satisfying sexual desires of the person or the minor child.
Alternatively, it is against the law to use an electronic device to transmit images of immoral or indecent acts to a child younger than 16. The images can be a person engaging in, inducing, or participating in the immoral or indecent act. These acts must have been intended to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of the person or the minor child.
A conviction for child molestation can carry steep penalties. This charge is always treated as a felony, which means being found guilty could lead to years behind bars and hefty monetary fines.
For a first-time offender, a guilty verdict will generally lead to a prison term between five and 20 years. Each conviction for second or subsequent offenses carries between 10 and 30 years in prison, and in some cases, life in prison. The child molestation charge can be a less serious misdemeanor when the alleged victim is between 14 and 16 years of age and the accused is 18 years old or younger and no more than 4 years older than the alleged victim.
In addition to a prison sentence, anyone convicted of this offense must be placed on the sex offender registry for life. This system notifies the public of prior convictions upon release and imposes restrictions on where the person may live and spend time.
It is helpful to remember that despite how serious these consequences can be, they will only go into effect following a guilty verdict. Let our attorney in Atlanta fight allegations of child molestation.
There are multiple ways to defend against allegations of molesting a child, but identifying the right approach can be complex. These cases sometimes arise from false accusations, particularly during divorce proceedings or custody disputes. Expert witnesses and cell phone data could help reveal the truth in court. Other potential defense strategies include mistaken identity, insufficient evidence, or violations of constitutional rights by law enforcement.
If you have been accused of molesting children, the first step towards protecting your reputation and your freedom is reaching out to an attorney for support. We will aggressively protect your rights and ensure you are treated fairly by the court system. Contact us as soon as possible for a private consultation with our Atlanta child molestation lawyer and discuss your potential defense strategies.
