The incidence of sex related crimes is on the rise not only in State of New York, but throughout the United States. Any District Attorney will aggressively pursue any matter that is considered to be a Sex Crime, Child Pornography, Date Rape, and Forcible Touching. These are just a few crimes that if convicted, can have life altering consequences for the defendant. These crimes can be either a misdemeanor or a felony violation, and can lead to jail time, fines and court ordered counseling or rehabilitation programs, not to mention damage to your reputation, and having to register as a sex offender. A New York Sexual Abuse Defense Lawyer will explain to you that the crime of Sexual Abuse is defined in New York Penal Code Section 130.55, 130.65, and 130.60., depending on the degree. If you have been accused of committing Sexual Abuse or other Sex Crime, it is extremely important to obtain the support and guidance of a New York Sexual Abuse Lawyer as soon as possible. When you contact the office of Stephen Bilkis and Associates, you will receive a free initial consultation with your first visit. We have offices in New York City and surrounding Burroughs, as well as Long Island and Westchester County.

The crime of Sexual Abuse is when an individual subjects another to sexual contact without their consent. Sexual Abuse in the first degree requires that the sexual contact occurred by forcible compulsion, or where the person is incapable of giving consent, or if they are younger than age 11. This crime in the first degree is considered a Class D felony, which means that it is punishable by a minimum of one year in prison. Sexual Abuse in the second degree is sexual contact by one against another where the person is incapable of consent for a reason other than being 17 years old or younger, or the victim is less than 14 years old. This crime is considered a Class A Misdemeanor, which means that it is punishable by one year or less in jail. Lastly, Sexual Abuse in the 3d degree is sexual contact by one against another without consent. It is an affirmative defense that: the person’s lack of consent was solely due to the incapacity to consent by virtue of the victim being less than 17 years old, the victim was more than 14 years old, and the defendant was less than 5 years older than the other person. This crime is considered a Class B Misdemeanor.

It is vitally important to obtain the guidance of council if you have been accused of Sexual Abuse. A skilled New York Criminal Lawyer will know what defenses are available to you, and how best to apply them to your particular circumstances. Keep in mind that the District Attorney will need to prove the above mentioned elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. If skilled New York Sexual Abuse Lawyer can skillfully raise important questions and use defenses that can create reasonable doubt, you will not be convicted of the crime.

Conviction of a sexual offense can bring life changing, permanent consequences. Having skilled counsel on your side can help you obtain the best result possible and ensure that your rights are adequately protected. Call of the office of Stephen Bilkis and Associates to receive not only sound legal advice, but also a free consultation. We have convenient locations throughout New York City, including Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn, amongst others. Contact us today to make your appointment at 1-800-NY-NY-LAW.