Criminal Sexual Assault
Skilled and Experienced CRIMINAL ATTORNEY Representing CLIENTS AGAINST Charges of Sexual Assault
Those accused of sex crimes are portrayed as automatically guilty and not deserving of a fair trial or constitutional protections. Simply being charged with a sex offense such as criminal sexual assault or criminal sexual abuse can turn your life upside down. The allegation alone can result in the loss of friends, the support of family, the loss of employment and a quick judgment online about you and your integrity.
Chicago Criminal Attorney Purav Bhatt has represented defendants accused of sex crimes including teachers, family members, cab drivers, neighbors or other individuals who have been falsely accused. When it comes to sex crimes, district attorneys, detectives and law enforcement often believe victims without ever hearing from the accused. How you present your side of the story will affect the rest of your life. Having an experienced sexual assault lawyer, like Purav Bhatt, at your side will help you restore your reputation and get back to your life.
Sexual Assault FAQs
In Illinois, sexual assault and abuse are identified as any form of non-consensual sexual contact. Sexual offenses can be committed against an adult or a child. They can be committed by someone of the same gender and between spouses. Forced sexual contact, the molestation of a minor, and attempted forced sexual contact are all forms of sexual assault.
From the moment a person is accused of criminal sexual assault or criminal sexual abuse they must be incredibly careful and seek proper representation. The desire to profess one’s innocence to the police can be used against you as an admission, which helps the prosecution. That is why having smart, aggressive, and talented representation can mean the difference between being charged and going home without a sex crime accusation being brought against you. Many of attorney Purav Bhatt’s clients that have been accused of sex crimes have been released after working with detectives to fully understand the situation and challenging false assumptions made by the police.
A conviction for any one of these crimes will cause lasting damage to a person’s life, including: prison sentences, temporary or lifetime requirements of sex offender registration, long periods of counseling and heavy fines. Due to the rigorous requirements of sex offender registration, numerous individuals who are convicted of federal sex crimes find themselves in violation of their registration requirements and are brought back into court years after their sentences are completed.
With these consequences, you cannot afford to plead guilty without a fight. Having an experienced sexual assault lawyer on your side is crucial.
Federal sex offenses and the penalties associated with them will depend on the the charges brought against you. Some of the factors federal court and prosecutors look at when determining sentences and recommendations include: the crime as charged, the federal scoring level given the offense, the age of the defendant and the alleged victim and the likelihood of the defendant re-offending and whether the person is a danger to the community.
Federal Sex Offenses include: Possession of child pornography, Production or distribution of child pornography, sexual acts with minors between ages 12–15, Public indecency, Sexual contact without consent, Trafficking or transportation of minors for sexual activity, Prostitution of minors, Attempted rape or conspiracy to commit rape.
Under Illinois law, sexual abuse – also referred to as sex abuse – is different from sexual assault. Sexual abuse involves an act of sexual conduct, which is committed by the use of force or the threat of force or an act of sexual conduct against someone who cannot consent to the act. One of the major differences between sexual assault and sexual abuse is that sexual abuse victims tend to be minors.
Criminal sexual abuse is prosecuted as a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine (up to $2,500) and jail time (up to one year). On the other hand, if the defendant is 5 years older than the victim, they can be charged with aggravated sexual abuse, which is a Class 2 felony. Similarly, if the sex was not consensual, the charge of sexual abuse can be upgraded to sexual assault, which is a Class 1 felony.
Criminal sexual abuse charges are not something you can defend against on your own – even if you are completely innocent. You need to have a dedicated and accomplished Chicago sexual abuse lawyer, someone who has been through the legal battles before and knows how to make a strong case, in order to protect your reputation and future.
A criminal sexual assault charge can be upgraded to aggravated sexual assault under certain circumstances. These may include:
- Committing sexual assault while armed with a firearm
- Discharging a firearm while committing the offense
- Displaying, using, or threatening to use a dangerous weapon while committing the offense
- Causing bodily harm to the victim
- If the victim was given a controlled substance without their knowledge or consent
- If the victim is physically or mentally disabled
- If the victim is 60 years of age or older
The full list of aggravating circumstances under which you can be charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault can be found here. If you have been accused of aggravated sexual assault, you should contact The Law Office of Purav Bhatt to receive expert legal representation from a team of skilled Chicago sexual abuse lawyers.
Penalties for Criminal Sexual Assault in Illinois
Criminal sexual assault is a Class 1 felony that is punishable by imprisonment (4 to 15 years). If you have a prior criminal sexual assault conviction, you will be charged with a Class X felony, which is punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Similarly, aggravated criminal sexual assault is also prosecuted as a Class X felony in Illinois.
Apart from criminal penalties, Illinois law also allows victims of sexual abuse and assault to file a civil claim against their perpetrators and recover damages for physical injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and emotional trauma.
Criminal sexual assault is one of the most serious sexual violence charges you can face in Illinois. And if the alleged sexual abuse committed involved the use of a firearm or any other dangerous weapon, the prison sentence can be extended by 20 years. Contact a reliable Chicago, IL criminal sexual assault attorney from the Law Office of Purav Bhatt today for legal help.
Consequences of Being a Registered Sexual Offender in Chicago, Illinois
One of the most serious consequences of a sexual assault conviction is that you have to register as a sexual offender, which can take away many of your civil liberties and rights and damage your reputation beyond repair. The stigma of being a convicted felon in sexual abuse cases can also affect your career and social life and make it hard to lead a normal life. Choose a proven and resourceful sexual abuse attorney at a Chicago law firm who can fight to have your charges dropped or reduced.
Get Started: Consultation with an Experienced Criminal Attorney
The Law Office of Purav Bhatt has been representing clients charged with sex offenses for over a decade. Sometimes, allegations and accusations of sexual assault are false and are brought as leverage during pending divorces, are inferred by school officials based on vague accounts by angry children, or carried further than necessary by authorities who do not want to be responsible for denying a potential victim’s accusations no matter how frivolous or weak.
Contact The Law Office of Purav Bhatt Today!
If you have been accused of sexual abuse or sexual assault, contact us today by calling 773-791-9682 or filling out our online form to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney.