Sexual Assault as a Juvenile in Pennsylvania

In today's social climate, discussions centered around sexual assault and related sex crimes have been brought to the national forefront. The resonance of worldwide movements like #metoo became a cornerstone for survivors of abuse to oust perpetrators from their guises. But in the midst of an undoubtedly vital era, some people may be compelled to manipulate their story of victimhood for reasons rooted in malice and spite.

The American criminal justice system upholds the age-old standard that individuals accused of crimes are innocent until proven guilty. But in the minds of many people, this principle is discarded when it comes to sex crimes. Merely being involved in a stigmatized crime like sexual assault elicits public condemnation and an assumption of guilt prior to a verdict. For individuals who are facing false accusations, these premature judgments will make defending yourself, salvaging your reputation, and maintaining your freedom an uphill battle, but not an unconquerable one.

If you have been accused of sexual assault, you cannot afford to not retain legal counsel. The stakes are high for you despite your genuine belief that the claims brought against you are exaggerated or fabricated. With the help of a knowledgeable legal professional, the criminal justice system will be able to fulfill its intended function: convicting the guilty while simultaneously protecting innocent people who have fallen victim to false accusations.

For the purposes of this article, we will discuss the various sexual assault laws and penalties in the state of Pennsylvania.

Sexual Assault Laws in Pennsylvania

Sexual Assault

According to Pennsylvania statutes, sexual assault is defined as “sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse without the complainant's consent.”

The crime “sexual assault” is listed in state statutes as a second-degree felony. This offense is punishable by a 10-year imprisonment term - an incredibly long time to be away from your family and friends. Clearly, going forward in a sexual assault case, you need the guidance of an attorney.

In light of the provided definition of sexual assault, there are multiple criminal offenses, aside from the actual crime itself, that is characterized as a form of sexual assault. These crimes include statutory sexual assault and rape.

Statutory sexual assault

Statutory sexual assault is pretty distinguished from sexual assault despite their similar names. Pennsylvania law provides that an accused person has committed this crime when he or she has engaged in a sexual intercourse with a person who is under the age of 16 that they are not married to and is either:

  • Four years older but less than eight years older than a victim (second-degree felony)
  • Eight years older but less than 11 years older than a victim (second-degree felony)
  • 11 or more years older than the alleged victim (first-degree felony)

One of the most important and misunderstood elements of the prosecution of this crime is consent. Even when consensual, engaging in sexual intercourse with someone under the age of 16-years-old is legally deemed statutory sexual assault. As indicated above, this offense can be charged as either a second-degree felony or a first-degree felony. A second-degree felony carries penalties of 10 years in prison, while a first-degree felony warrants an imprisonment term of 20 years.

Rape

Although the terms “rape” and “sexual assault” are oftentimes used interchangeably, they differ. Rape is a form of sexual assault, the circumstances in which one experiences the assault is what constitutes each crime. Rape will always fall under the realm of sexual assault, but not all instances of sexual assault will be defined as rape.

Pennsylvania law provides that a person commits the act of rape when he or she engages in sexual intercourse with a complainant:

  • By forcible compulsion
  • By threat of forcible compulsion (in order to prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution)
  • Who suffers from a mental disability
  • Who is incapacitated
  • Where a victim has been drugged, intoxicated, for the means of preventing resistance

Rape is one of the most severely charged crimes in Pennsylvania, which is a first-degree felony. This offense carries an imprisonment penalty of up to 20 years. If the courts discover that an intoxicating or debilitating drug was used in the commission of this crime, the sentence will be extended for an additional 10 years.

Collateral Consequences

It's no surprise that the legal ramifications of fiercely stigmatized crimes like sexual assault are harsh. However, lest we forget that the collateral consequences are also ones to fear. The conviction of any of the crimes mentioned above will require placement on the state's sex offender registry - an easily searchable and widely accessible database. For up to 25 years, your full name, address, license plate number, place of business, photograph and other personal identifying information will be plastered onto a site and within community notifications for the sake of public safety. You'll have to endure the humiliating experience of being a sex offender, a label that restricts employment opportunities, benefits, residency options and more.

Defenses

To convict, criminal trials require that a prosecutor prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. LLF's skilled Criminal Defense Team's approach would be to invalidate the main elements of the prosecutor's case and expose inconsistencies in the evidence provided against you. The applicable defenses an attorney may utilize on your behalf depending on the individualized circumstances of your case.

Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Attorney

The sensitive nature of sex crimes invokes the aggressive and severe prosecution of alleged perpetrators. If you have been arrested and charged with this crime, you need the help of a skilled attorney to protect your rights and defend your case in court. With over 15 years of experience advocating for clients who've acquired such charges, LLF's Criminal Law Team truly believes that people are innocent until proven guilty. We maintain a judgment-free atmosphere devoid of assumptions to provide you with the legal counsel you rightfully deserve. Contact us today at 888-535-3686 for a consultation.

Contact Us Today!

The LLF Law Firm Team has decades of experience successfully resolving clients' criminal charges in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania counties. If you are having any uncertainties about what the future may hold for you or a loved one, contact the LLF Law Firm today! Our Criminal Defense Team will go above and beyond the needs of any client, and will fight until the final bell rings.

This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

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