Rape Charges
Harrisburg Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys
In the state of Pennsylvania, rape is considered a crime where the defendant forcibly, or under the threat of force, engages in sexual intercourse with another person. It can also happen if the victim is intoxicated without his or her knowledge or if the victim has a mental disability. A person charged with rape could face severe penalties, mandatory registration and reporting under Megan’s Law, and may face the terrible social stigma that accompanies these cases.
If you are accused of rape, you need to call an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney today.
Scaringi Law is a firm that was built to discover and exploit the flaws and faults of the prosecutor’s case. Our firm will also collect the evidence to support your defense and shred the case against you. Our Harrisburg criminal law attorneys are former prosecutors, so they have a tremendous amount of experience in handling rape and other sex crime cases. Contact us to learn about our methods of investigation and how our advocacy can help meet your defense needs.
Penalties
A conviction of rape will get you a 1st-degree felony if you forced compulsion, used the threat of forcible compulsion, engaged in sexual activity with an unconscious or inebriated person, or engaged in sexual activity with a person who suffers from a mental disability which impedes their ability to give consent. A conviction of this crime could get you up to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment if you are convicted of raping a child, and it resulted in serious bodily injury. You could also face a fine of up to $25,000.
Additionally, if you used any type of intoxicating drug in order to perpetrate this crime, the sentence could be extended an additional 10 years, and the penalty could be increased to up to $100,000.
Call Us at (717) 775-7195 for Advice
It’s important to contact an experienced legal advisor if you are accused of a sex crime, particularly if you know the person who is accusing you. We urge you to contact us when you first become aware you are under investigation. Any attempt to talk your way out of the situation will probably make things worse for you. If you are interrogated by the police or a detective, often a short, polite “I’d rather not talk to you without my lawyer present,” can save you a load of trouble later on.
Act Now to Fight the Charges
If you contact us before the investigation, it gives us our excellent Harrisburg sex crimes defense attorney a good chance to protect you from the worst possible charges. In some cases, we can even halt the case before it even begins. An aggressive approach in the earliest stages can help you develop your defense in most rape cases.
In addition to defending people on criminal charges related to rape and other sexual misconduct, we can help you manage the collateral damage that may result from your legal problem. Your family relationships and friendships may come under strain if you are accused of rape. Additionally, if you are a licensed professional, you might face disciplinary action. Our breadth of experience and the sophistication in our practice can help you with the challenges you will have to face.
For a consultation about your best options for beating a rape charge, contact Scaringi Law in Harrisburg today. We look forward to speaking with you about your situation.