Getting charged with a sex crime is a serious matter that could lead to severe penalties, reputational damage, and incarceration. At Nate Amendola Defense, our Hingham criminal defense attorneys have defended numerous clients against sexual assault charges and allegations related to sex crimes.
If you or someone you love has been accused of a sex crime, you should immediately contact an experienced Hingham sex crimes lawyer for help. We know that an accusation of a sex crime can turn your world upside down and put your future in limbo. Don’t face sex crime charges alone – our team of legal professionals stands ready to defend your rights and provide the support you need during this difficult time.
Sex Crimes We Handle in Hingham
At Nate Amendola Defense, we are prepared to handle a wide spectrum of sex crimes as your trusted legal representation. The gravity of the penalties that come with a sex crime conviction may be weighing heavily on your shoulders, but rest assured, our criminal defense lawyers in Hingham will fight to have these charges reduced or dropped entirely.
Major Sex Crimes
- Rape (with or without force): Includes sexual intercourse without consent, with penalties up to life imprisonment. A second or subsequent offense requires serving ⅔ of the minimum sentence before eligibility for probation, parole, or programs.
- Statutory rape: Massachusetts sets the age of consent at sixteen. Sexual intercourse with a minor under 16 carries 10-20 years in prison, regardless of consent.
- Aggravated rape: Involving weapons, multiple attackers, or serious injury can result in life sentences.
- Indecent assault and battery: Unwanted sexual touching carries enhanced penalties for victims under 14.
Additional Sex Crimes
- Drugging for sexual intercourse: Up to 10 years in prison
- Assault with intent to rape: Up to 20 years in state prison
- Sexual exposure and surveillance offenses:
- Indecent exposure: Up to 6 months in jail
- Open and gross lewdness: Up to 3 years in prison
- Voyeurism: Up to 2.5 years in prison
Child-Related Sex Crimes
- Child pornography possession: 5-20 years per image
- Child exploitation: 10-20 year minimum sentences
- Enticement of a child under 16: Up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine
For a free legal consultation with a sex crimes lawyer serving Hingham, call (781) 740-0800
Juvenile Sex Crimes That Carry Adult Consequences
If your child has been arrested or charged with a sex crime in Massachusetts, you’re likely fearful for their future and overwhelmed with stress. While juvenile cases are typically handled in the juvenile justice system with a focus on rehabilitation, certain serious sex offenses can result in your child being charged as an adult – even if they’re as young as 14. Our sex crime attorneys at Nate Amendola Defense have several years of experience with juvenile defense in Hingham and will fight to protect your child’s rights.
Understanding which sex crimes could lead to adult prosecution is crucial for parents, as the penalties and long-term consequences are significantly more severe than juvenile court. Below is a list of sex crimes where Massachusetts law allows juveniles to face adult prosecution:
- Forcible Rape: Juveniles age 14+ can be charged as “youthful offenders” in adult court if there’s serious bodily injury or previous Department of Youth Services (DYS) commitment. Carries potential adult penalties up to life imprisonment.
- Aggravated Rape: When a rape involves weapons, multiple attackers, or serious injury, juveniles age 14+ face mandatory adult prosecution. The penalties include up to life in state prison.
- Statutory Rape: For juvenile offenders age 14-17, cases involving significant age differences (more than 3 years) or prior offenses can trigger adult prosecution with 10-20 year sentences.
- Sexual Assault with Serious Injury: Automatically eligible for adult prosecution if the offender is age 14+, carrying potential life sentences.
- Child Pornography Distribution: Creating or distributing materials involving minors can result in adult prosecution for juveniles age 14+, with 10-20 year minimum sentences for child pornography charges.
It is important to note that the juvenile court has discretion in determining whether registration is required, considering factors such as the nature of the offense, the juvenile’s risk of reoffending, and the potential impact on public safety. This is why having a skilled sex crime attorney in Hingham is so crucial to safeguarding your child’s future.
Hingham Sex Crimes Lawyer Near Me (781) 740-0800
Sex Offender Registration Requirements and Enhanced Penalties
Sex offender registration with the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) is mandatory, with serious consequences for non-compliance:
- First-time registration violations carry a mandatory minimum imprisonment of six months, with sentences ranging up to 2.5 years in a house of correction. Violators may also face fines of up to $1,000 and additional monitoring requirements.
- Subsequent registration violations trigger significantly harsher mandatory minimum sentences that are typically doubled from the first offense. These cases often result in state prison time rather than house of correction sentences.
- Lifetime parole requirements mean that offenders will be supervised by parole officers indefinitely after completing their sentence. This includes regular check-ins, employment verification, and travel restrictions.
- Risk classification levels (1-3) determine where offenders can live, work, and travel. Level 3 offenders face the strictest monitoring and may be prohibited from living near schools or parks, while their information is publicly available online.
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The Potential Impact of a Sex Crime Conviction
Beyond jail time and lengthy state prison sentences, a sex crime conviction can result in:
- Professional licenses in fields like healthcare, education, or finance are typically revoked immediately upon conviction. The revocation is often permanent, with no possibility of reinstatement.
- Housing restrictions can prevent sex offenders from living in certain areas, and many landlords conduct background checks that screen out sex offenders.
- Employment barriers extend far beyond licensed professions, as most employers conduct background checks. Many companies have policies against hiring registered sex offenders, particularly for positions involving customer contact.
- Immigration consequences can include deportation for non-citizens and inability to obtain citizenship. Even legal permanent residents may lose their status upon conviction.
- Loss of child custody rights often occurs automatically with certain sex crime convictions. Even after serving a sentence, sex offenders may face strict supervision requirements for any contact with minors.
- College admissions and career opportunities become severely limited, as institutions routinely screen for sex offenses. Professional schools and certification programs typically reject applicants with sex crime convictions.
- Permanent reputational damage occurs through public sex offender registration and internet records that can never be fully erased. This can affect personal relationships, community standing, and social opportunities indefinitely.
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How a Hingham Sex Crime Crime Lawyer Can Help You
Dealing with a criminal charge is stressful and confusing. Charges related to sex crimes are certainly no exception. The potential consequences can affect your employment, relationships, and future opportunities. Founded by top criminal defense lawyer Nate Amendola, we have the professional legal expertise in Massachusetts criminal law you can count on in your time of need.
Our firm has successfully defended hundreds of clients against sex crime charges throughout Plymouth County. When you contact our office, you will have a chance to speak to a sex crime attorney in Hingham who can:
- Listen to your story and answer questions about your rights and the next steps in the criminal justice process. We’ll help you understand the specific charges against you, potential penalties, and available defenses while addressing any immediate concerns about court appearances or bail conditions.
- Investigate the criminal allegations, building a case to defend you. This includes gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports and surveillance footage, and identifying any constitutional violations or procedural errors that could benefit your defense.
- Represent you before police and prosecutors in Plymouth County. Our attorneys have extensive experience negotiating with local district attorneys and law enforcement, often resolving cases before they go to trial. We’ll advocate for charge reduction, dismissal, or alternative resolution programs when appropriate.
- Craft a thorough and personalized defense strategy to protect your rights and future. Every case is unique, and we develop defense strategies tailored to your specific circumstances. This may include self-defense claims, lack of intent arguments, or challenging witness credibility, all while working to minimize the impact on your personal and professional life.
We understand that being charged with a sex crime can be scary and life-altering. Our team provides responsive, understanding support throughout the legal process, ensuring you’re informed and prepared at every stage. From arraignment through final resolution, we’ll be by your side, fighting to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Contact Nate Amendola Defense
Our Hingham sex crime attorneys take a holistic approach to defense, considering the whole individual rather than just their current legal troubles. People make mistakes, but that doesn’t have to define the rest of your life.
Don’t face these charges alone. Call our office immediately for a free, 100% confidential consultation to review your case.
Call or text (781) 740-0800 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
