Raleigh Sex Crime Lawyer

Sex Crime Attorney in Raleigh, NC

If you or someone you love is facing sex crime charges in Raleigh, the stakes are high, and you need to secure the services of an experienced sex crimes defense lawyer. If you’re accused of rape in Drewry Hills or indecent exposure after a mistake at Shelby Lake Park, it’s a terrifying experience. You are likely unsure of where to turn next or of what your legal options may be. You need a Raleigh sex crime lawyer who understands what is at stake and is ready to fight.

Granados Law Group: Your Aggressive Sex Crime Defense Lawyers

For years, the team at Granados Law Group has been fighting for the rights of individuals in Raleigh and across Wake County. Over the course of the firm’s existence, we have defended hundreds of high-level felony criminal cases and have a deep desire to seek justice. As experienced criminal defense attorneys, our team of seasoned litigators is ready to come alongside you during this difficult time, review your case, and ultimately defend you and your rights against sex crime charges, no matter what.

Crime in Wake County

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation tracks index crime offenses for each county. In Wake County during 2024, the total number of index crimes reported was 26,028. These index crimes include crimes against people, such as 37 homicides and 263 rapes, and crimes against property, such as 2,309 burglaries.

If you are facing a sex crime charge in Raleigh, your initial appearance should be at the Wake County District Court. Felony charges that go to trial are heard in the Wake County Superior Court. These courts are found within the Wake County courthouse complex, or the Wake County Justice Center.

Common Kinds of Sex Crimes in Raleigh

In North Carolina, sex crimes encompass a wide range of different charges, all of which are taken with extreme gravitas by the Wake County and federal criminal justice system. Having an attorney by your side in these cases is crucial, as the penalties that can follow a prosecution and conviction can alter the course of your entire life. The most common sex crime cases we have defended in Raleigh and the surrounding area include:

• Sexual assault: These charges can include a wide range of non-consensual sexual acts. Our team is here to protect you and ensure that you receive a fair and legal chance, whether we are able to negotiate a reduction in charges with the prosecution or fight to defend your reputation and freedom in a jury trial.
• Statutory Rape/Statutory Sex Offense: These charges are incredibly serious and involve intercourse and or some form of penetrative sexual contact with a minor. Children under the age of 16 do NOT have the legal ability to consent to sexual activity in North Carolina. Even if a child lies and states they are older than 16, they cannot consent to sexual activity.

  There is no mental status required on the part of the person accused; simply the act of having committed this level of offense is enough to land someone in prison for the rest of their life. Statutory rape charges are intricate, and you need an attorney who understands the details of these cases and how to correctly defend you.

  Statutory Rape or Statutory Sex Offense charges are always difficult to combat, especially where there may be no physical evidence that a crime has occurred; simply a “he said, she said” type of case. Many people who find themselves charged with statutory sex crimes struggle to realize that the word of someone, standing alone with no physical evidence, is potentially enough to convict someone of these high-level felonies.

• Rape: In North Carolina, rape is considered one of the most severe criminal offenses. Typically, rape involves some kind of non-consensual sexual intercourse and/or penetration, by force and against the will of another person At Granados Law Group, however, we understand that these charges can often arise as a simple misunderstanding after a night of consensual sex or through the malicious intent of the prosecuting witness, and we are ready to dig to the bottom of your case and uncover the truth in your defense.
• Indecent exposure: This charge can arise when an individual intentionally exposes their genitals in public or engages in sexual activities while in public spaces. We understand that mistakes can be made and misunderstandings can arise, such as when someone might decide to urinate in public, and we are ready to explore every detail of your case in order to ensure you have the right defense strategy to protect your rights.
• Sex offender registration: For certain sex crime convictions, you may be required to register as a sex offender. Typically, the most common sex crimes that require you to register as a sex offender include first- or second-degree rape and statutory rape, first- or second-degree sexual offenses, taking Indecent Liberties with a Child, sexual battery, rape of a child or other sexual offenses with a child, or the prostitution of a minor.
• Child pornography: This charge can come about from a vast array of different behaviors. From the creating and distribution of child pornography to downloading images or videos off the internet, the team at Granados Law Group is ready to fight for you in any case involving charges of child pornography.

We’re ready to assist you if your case originates in State Court and is adopted Federally, so you won’t need to hire another lawyer if the case goes to Federal court.

Defense Options for Sex Crimes

Facing any kind of sex crime charge in Raleigh can be daunting. The penalties that can arise as a result of a conviction are incredibly serious and could alter the entire course of your future. You may find yourself dealing with lengthy prison time, massive fines, restraining orders, probation, mandatory sex offender registration, a permanent criminal record, and the loss of several of your civil rights.

Making the situation even more difficult is the length of time a sex offense case takes to resolve as it makes its way—slowly—through the legal system. For these reasons, having a trustworthy, respected, and knowledgeable trial lawyer who can review your case and determine the right course of action to take in your defense is vital.

Moreover, if you’re facing a sex crime, you need an attorney on your side who is experienced and focuses their practice on the defense of these crimes, because experience matters. You need a sex crimes lawyer in your corner, one who regularly tries cases to verdict, not just another lawyer who pleads out all their cases. You need someone who can fight for you, and who understands the complexities and idiosyncrasies that are part of a strong sex crimes defense.

You need a lawyer who isn’t scared to stand up to the State at a jury trial, and who stands proudly next to you as you have your day in court. At Granados Law Group, our team has experience using the following defense strategies in cases of sexual crimes:

• Mistaken identity: Sometimes, the wrong individual may have been identified and accused of a crime they did not commit. At Granados Law Group, we have the ability to review all the evidence and details available in your case and help demonstrate that you were not actually the perpetrator of the sex crime that allegedly took place.
• Lack of evidence: In order to convict you of a sex crime, the prosecution needs to be able to provide evidence to prove your guilt. At Granados Law Group, we carefully review all of the evidence used in the prosecution’s case against you and challenge any weakness or lack of evidence that might be present.
• Consent: In certain circumstances, the team at Granados Law Group may be able to prove that you were given the consent of the alleged victim and that the sexual activity that supposedly took place was consensual on behalf of all parties involved.
• Alibi: In certain sex crime cases, such as rape or sexual assault, you may be able to establish an alibi for the time and place in which the alleged crime occurred. If you are able to prove that you were somewhere else when the crime supposedly took place, our team can present this as evidence in order to argue your innocence.
• Procedural errors: At Granados Law Group, it is our job to thoroughly look over all the legal procedures that took place during your investigation and arrest and ensure that your rights were upheld and protected the entire time. If we discover that your rights were violated at any point, such as during a custodial interrogation, we can use this in your defense.
• False accusations: In cases of sex crimes, nearly 2% to 10% of allegations turn out to be false. This might be due to confusion or a mistake made on the part of the prosecuting witness, or it may come about due to the alleged victim’s malicious intentions to harm you or get back at you. This can be common in situations of child custody or when the other party is trying to hurt you to get something they want. We can often attack the credibility of the alleged victim to demonstrate their motives to fabricate untruths.
• Police misconduct: If the police officers involved in your case violated your constitutional rights during their investigation or your arrest, such as performing an illegal search of your home, or failing to advise you of your rights before questioning you during a custodial interrogation, we are here to challenge any evidence and its admissibility if it was obtained through possible police misconduct.

Sex Crime Penalties in North Carolina

If convicted of a sex crime, there are severe penalties that a judge can order. In addition to fines and incarceration, you could be ordered to register as a sex offender. Depending on the offense, you may be required to register for 10 years, 30 years, or for life. When convicted of a sex crime, you also lose your right to custody or inheritance from a child born of the offense. Depending on your prior record level classification, you could face specific penalties including:

• Class B1 felony. The most serious felonies are for offenses such as first-degree forcible rape. You could face 144 months to life in prison. Additionally, some offenses, such as statutory rape of a child by an adult, carry mandatory minimum sentences.
• Class C felony. For an offense such as second-degree forcible rape, penalties are still serious. You could face 44 to 231 months in prison, followed by 60 months of post-release supervision by a probation officer.
• Class E felony. For an offense such as sexual activity by a substitute parent or custodian. You could face 15 to 88 months in prison, followed by 60 months of post-release supervision.
• Class F felony. Taking Indecent Liberties with a Child could land you in prison for 10 to 59 months, followed by 9 months of post-release supervision, or you could possibly be given a split sentence or supervised probation, depending on the negotiated agreement.
• Class G felony. Offenses like sexual activity with a student are still considered a felony. You could face 8 to 47 months in prison, with the last 9 months of the sentence suspended for post-release supervision.
• Class A1 misdemeanor. Sexual Battery is the only misdemeanor that requires sex-offender registration and you could face up to 150 days in jail, but supervised probation is the most likely scenario.

FAQs

How Does North Carolina Define a Sex Crime?

North Carolina defines a sex crime as any unlawful act that involves non-consensual sexual contact or penetration. These acts often involve force, coercion, or the exploitation of a victim who is mentally or physically incapacitated and unable to give consent. Common sex crimes include rape, first-degree sexual offense, and indecent liberties with a minor.

Is Escorting Illegal in North Carolina?

Escorting is not illegal in North Carolina. The act becomes illegal if the escort’s services include any sexual acts. All aspects of the sex trade are illegal in North Carolina, including prostitution, promoting prostitution, and sexual servitude. Penalties can be severe, including fines, incarceration, and mandatory reporting on the sex offender registry. Solicitation is handled as a felony.

Does North Carolina Have a Romeo and Juliet Law?

Yes, North Carolina does have a limited Romeo and Juliet law. The sexual activity must be consensual and involve minors who are both under the age of 16, or where the older participant is no more than four years older than the younger participant. The only exception is if the older participant is in a position of authority over the younger participant.

What Are Some Common Causes of False Sex Crime Allegations?

There are several reasons why someone may make false allegations of a sex crime. A survey conducted in 2023 found that 20% of respondents knew someone who had been falsely accused of sexual abuse, sexual assault, or rape. These false accusations can arise during child custody disputes, divorces, or as retaliation. It is also possible that false allegations arise from a simple misunderstanding due to mistaken identity or a mental illness.

Hire a Sex Crime Lawyer Today: Contact Granados Law Group

Facing sex crime charges can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to signal the end. Many folks may feel hopeless or overwhelmed, and that is where the team at Granados Law Group can help.

Our experienced Raleigh sex crime defense attorneys can fight tirelessly for your rights and build a strong defense while guiding you through every step of the legal process, making court less scary. Contact our offices today to learn more and hire a sex crime lawyer who is here to help you achieve the most positive outcome possible for your case.