Johns Creek Sex Crime Lawyer

Sex Crime Attorney in Johns Creek, GA

Sex crime charges can put your freedom and reputation at stake. With long sentences, heavy fines, and mandatory sex offender registration for many charges, working with a Johns Creek sex crime lawyer is essential. Defending against these charges can help you minimize penalties or prove your innocence.

Why Choose Us?

The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman has over 25 years of experience defending against state and federal criminal charges. We have helped many people facing sex crime charges achieve outcomes such as a not guilty verdict or dismissed charges. With personal attention to each case, we develop a unique legal strategy for each case based on our analysis of your charges and knowledge of Georgia’s sex crime laws.

Types of Sex Crime Cases We Handle

Sex crimes cover a variety of illegal acts involving sexual activity without consent, against a minor, or involving coercion or force. About 1 in 3 women experience contact sexual violence, and almost 1 in 6 men. No matter what sex crime charges you are facing, a Johns Creek sex crime attorney at The Law Office of Lawrence J Zimmerman can help you defend against the severe penalties a conviction can have. Some of the most common sex crime cases include:

• Sexual assault
• Rape
• Statutory rape
• Sexual battery
• Child molestation
• Public indecency
• Child pornography

According to Georgia’s sex crime laws, sex crimes can be a misdemeanor or a felony. Felony charges are more severe, with higher penalties. Many sex crimes are wobbler offenses, meaning they can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. A sex crime lawyer can identify what charges you are facing and whether they may be reduced.

Georgia’s Sex Crime Penalties

Sex crimes in Georgia carry severe penalties that often include court-ordered jail or prison sentences, fines, and sex offender registration. The penalties you face depend on what offense you are charged with and the presence of aggravating factors. Aggravating factors increase the seriousness of an offense and could include:

• Prior criminal convictions
• The involvement of a deadly weapon or firearm
• Involving a vulnerable victim, such as a child or someone with a physical or intellectual disability
• The involvement of date rape drugs or being against an unconscious victim

Being registered as a sex offender can bring social stigma and limit your freedom. There are over 27,000 registered sex offenders in Georgia. Sex offenders are classified as Sexually Dangerous Predator (SDP) sex offenders if there is a high risk of re-offending, Level II if there is an above average risk, and Level I if there is a low risk. SDP sex offenders face the most severe rules, though every offender must comply with certain restrictions, such as avoiding living within 1000 feet of a school or daycare.

Why You Should Hire a Sex Crime Lawyer

If you have been arrested for a sex crime, a Johns Creek sex crime lawyer can defend your rights during an investigation and a trial at the Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta. A lawyer can protect against:

• Self-incrimination: Law enforcement can use anything you say and do against you, which often leads to accidental self-incrimination. If you are arrested, request to contact a lawyer and then stay silent. A lawyer can communicate with law enforcement on your behalf, preventing the provision of incriminating evidence or additional charges.
• Unlawful searches and seizures: The police operate under strict rules about what searches and seizures they can conduct. A lawyer can ensure the police do not conduct any unnecessary searches without a warrant, preventing them from obtaining additional evidence they can use against you.
• Illegally obtained or faulty evidence being used in court: A lawyer can identify evidence that was obtained illegally and file a motion to suppress this evidence. Sometimes, they can find errors in evidence, such as mishandled DNA evidence, that can also warrant the evidence being excluded from your trial.

FAQs

What Types of Evidence Can Be Used in a Sex Crime Case?

In a sex crime case, a variety of evidence can be used to prove whether or not you were guilty of a sex crime. This often includes witness statements or victim testimonies, DNA evidence, medical records, digital records, or photos and videos from the scene. If you hire a sex crime lawyer, they can analyze evidence being used against you for weaknesses and present exculpatory evidence that proves your innocence.

What Things Can a Sex Offender Not Do?

In Georgia, registered sex offenders have strict limits on certain behaviors to limit activities or restrict access to potential victims. A sex offender cannot work, live, or volunteer within 1,000 feet of schools, childcare centers, churches, or other places where minors congregate. There may be additional restrictions and conditions for certain offenders.

Can You Be Removed From the Sex Offender Registry in Johns Creek, GA?

While it may be possible to be removed from the sex offender registry in Johns Creek, GA, it is legally complex and requires meeting strict criteria. A lawyer can help you file a petition to the Superior Court to be removed from the registry, which would remove the rules and restrictions. It often requires completing all supervision, parole, probation, or incarceration, waiting five years since the end of your sentence, and having the designation of Level 1, a low risk of re-offending.

Is Consent a Defense Against a Sex Crime Charge?

Consent can be used as a defense for many sex crimes, but it does not apply to all sex crimes. If the sex crime involved a minor, a consent defense often cannot lead to dismissed charges. For example, if the victim of statutory rape was under the age of 16, their consent is not legally valid. However, if the alleged victim was of an age and mental capacity to give consent, this can be used as a defense.

Speak With a Johns Creek Sex Crime Attorney Today

Defending against a sex crime charge in Johns Creek is extremely important to protect against heavy penalties and permanent registration as a sex offender. Contact The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman for a free case consultation to learn how we can provide a strong defense for your sex crime case.