New York Date Rape Frequently Asked Questions

Rape is a sexual assault involving nonconsensual sex. Date rape (link to: https://criminaldefense.1800nynylaw.com/new-york-date-rape-lawyer.html) is a commonly used term that describes a sexual assault that occurs where the perpetrator and the victim are not strangers but are social acquaintances, or where the people involved had a romantic or a potentially romantic connection, such as a dating relationship.

Rape in the third degree is the least severe rape charge. Whether the victim is a social acquaintance or a stranger, if you have sexual intercourse with that person without her consent, then you would have committed the crime of rape in the third degree. For example, if you ask to have sexual intercourse and the response is no, yet you go ahead and have sex with her anyway despite the fact that she said no, then you could be arrested and convicted. Rape in the third degree is a class E felony. If convicted you could go to prison for up to 4 years and you will have to register as a sex offender.

If you use physical force to have nonconsensual sexual intercourse with a social acquaintance, then you will be charged with rape in the first degree. It is a class B violent felony. This means that you could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison.

Criminal sexual act is a sex crime that involves nonconsensual anal or oral sex. Like rape, criminal sexual act can be a type of social acquaintance sexual assault. The penalties are similar to those for rape, and if convicted you will be required to register as a sex offender.

Drugs can play a role in date rape. Gamma hydroxybutyrate also known as GHB, Rohypnol, also known as rophies, and ketamine, also known as Special K, are all drugs that are referred to as date rape drugs. Each is easy to slip into the drink or food of another person. These drugs are fast-acting, causing the person to become dizzy, confused, and in some case lose consciousness. When someone is incapacitated in this manner it is easy to sexually assault that person. After the assault, the victim has little or no memory of what happened.

If you are convicted of a sex crime such as rape, you will be required to register as a sex offender. As a registered sex offender your photograph, address, and details of your crime will be included in a sex offender registry and available to the public. There will also be restrictions on where you can live. Depending on several factors that determine your risk of re-offending, you may have to remain a registered sex offender for decades or for the rest of your life.

Being accused of a sex crime is serious. It is important that you understand the process, and have experienced representation. With over two decades of experience representing clients in New York who have been charged with sexual assault as well as other serious felonies, the date rape attorneys serving clients in New York at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have the knowledge and resources to vigorously defend you throughout the entire criminal process. Contact a New York date rape lawyer at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We serve those accused of crimes in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.