South Carolina Sex Crimes Attorneys
Statutory rape is consensual sex with a person under the legal age of consent. In South Carolina, this basically means that if you are over the age of 16 and engage in sexual intercourse or other sexual acts with anyone under the age of 16, you can be charged with statutory rape — even if it was consensual.
Charges of statutory rape often arise from arguments between a teenager and his or her parents or from a misunderstanding about age. But the charges are extremely serious and the consequences can have a lifelong impact. When a simple misunderstanding could land you in prison, it is important to turn to an experienced Lexington statutory rape attorney.
The Consequences of Criminal Sexual Conduct
Statutory rape offenses in South Carolina are charged as criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Under criminal sexual conduct, any sexual contact — intercourse, oral sex, anal sex or penetration — with a minor under the age of 11 is a first-degree offense and carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison. Sexual contact with minors ages 11 to 16 is a second-degree offense and carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
In addition to possible long-term incarceration, those convicted of criminal sexual conduct will have to permanently register on South Carolina's sex offender registry.
Defending Against Statutory Rape
Charges of criminal sexual conduct are complicated, and a lot of factors determine guilt or innocence. An experienced child molestation lawyer will investigate your case and challenge the evidence against you. Serious charges require a serious defense.
For help defending against statutory rape charges or any other sex crime, contact the Law Offices of Richard J. Breibart, LLC, in Lexington, South Carolina. For a free consultation to discuss how we will help you through every step of your criminal sexual conduct case, contact us online or call 866-645-8743.We defend clients throughout the region, from West Columbia in Richland County to McCormick in McCormick County.
