Salisbury Sex Crime Lawyer

Call (410) 205-1684 to Help Fight Your Sex Crime Charges

I am highly knowledgeable about sex crimes and the aggressive defenses available if you’ve been accused of one. To avoid having your sex charge ruin your future and reputation, it is important that you hire me to strategize the best ways to protect you from facing legal consequences.

Don’t risk it. Contact me, William R. Hall, for help if you’ve been accused of committing a sex crime or been arrested for a sex-related offense.

What You Need to Know About Your Sex Crimes Charge

As a former prosecutor who has handled thousands of cases, I understand what is at stake and what my clients are facing. I am ready to use my sophisticated understanding of sex crime defense and my cutting-edge advocacy to help you overcome your charges.

Are you facing sex crime charges? Contact me right away. I handle cases including:

• Rape
• Statutory rape
• Sexual assault
• Sexual abuse of a minor
• Indecent exposure
• Molestation
• Internet sex crimes
• Prostitution
• Solicitation
• Child pornography
• Title IX Violation

Penalties for Sex Crimes

Sex crime charges are taken incredibly seriously. If you are convicted, you could face life-changing consequences, including hefty fines, incarceration, as well as having to register as a sex offender. Even if you are found to be innocent, an accusation or arrest for a sex crime can carry severe social stigma. You could lose the respect of your family, friends, and even lose your job or your ability to secure one in the future. I have handled countless cases ranging from the most serious sex crimes to less serious cases and know what it takes to win. You may risk irreversible consequences without my hard-hitting advocacy on your side.

There are four degrees of sexual offense charges:

First degree: A victim alleges that the defendant engaged in sexual activity (excluding vaginal intercourse) without consent and used force, and employed or displayed a dangerous weapon, or a physical object that the victim reasonably believes is a dangerous weapon.

Penalty: 25 years to life in prison.

Second degree: A victim alleges that the defendant engaged in sexual activity without consent and used force, and knows or reasonably knows the victim is:

• a mentally defective individual

• a mentally incapacitated individual
• a physically helpless individual

Penalty: At least 15 years in prison.

Third degree: A victim alleges that the defendant engaged in sexual activity, short of rape, without consent and by force of a deadly weapon. The prosecution must prove that the defendant knows or reasonably should know that the victim is:

• a mentally defective individual

• a mentally incapacitated individual
• a physically helpless individual

Penalty: Up to 10 years in prison.

Fourth degree: A victim alleges that the defendant is over 21 years old, holds a position of authority, and engaged in a consensual sexual act or sexual contact with the victim. The defendant must be at least four years older than the victim.

Penalty: Up to 1 year in prison and/or up to $1,000 fines for a first conviction. For a second conviction, Up to 3 years in prison and/or up to $1,000 fines.

What is Sex Offender Registration?

Penalties associated with criminal convictions conjure images of spending years behind bars or paying thousands of dollars to the state. While this may be the norm and certainly damaging to a person’s wellbeing, people convicted of sex crimes in Maryland actually face what could arguably the harshest punishment of all: mandatory sex offender registration.

How the Sex Offender Registry Functions

Any sex crime conviction in Maryland will include sex offender list registry. It doesn’t matter if the person is convicted for rape or indecent exposure, they will be added to the registry. However, they will be sorted into three tiers based on their sentencing.

Convicted sex offenders sorted into tier 1 must remain on the registry for at least 15 years; they must also resubmit their identifying and personal information once a year. Tier 2 offenders are required to register twice a year for at least 25 years. Tier 3 is the most extreme, requiring lifetime registration that is verified through reregistration every three months.

Some of the personal information necessary at registration includes:

• Name with current photograph and age
• Personal address
• Place of employment or school attended
• Description of crime
• Vehicle information

Not everyone who registers will have their information immediately posted to the public, but a person of the public can obtain any registrant’s information if they so choose. Many employers, landlords, or educational institution officials can deny applications based on sex offender registration if they believe it is necessary for everyone’s safety. Additionally, registrants that move into a new neighborhood may be required to notify neighbors of their registration.

Failing to Register is a Crime

Maryland also considers the act of failing to register, or knowingly submitting incomplete or falsified information, to be a serious crime. Registration or re-registration can be considered “late” if it is not submitted to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services within just three days of the original filing date. Convictions for failing to register can include up to three years of imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.

When everything is considered, convicted sex offenders are slammed with harsh penalties that many people believe to be far too harsh. In order to remove registration requirements, a strong and experienced criminal defender is necessary. If you need a Salisbury sex crimes attorney by your side to help you through this trying time, look to William R. Hall, P.A. for help. We have nearly 20 years of legal experience and are led by a former prosecutor, which puts unmatched insight and intuition in your corner.

Aggressive Salisbury Sex Crimes Lawyer Defending You

With more than 20 years of experience in criminal law, I have the resources and experience needed to help defend you against your charges. From scrutinizing law enforcement evidence to finding weaknesses in the prosecution's case, as your Salisbury sex crime attorney I am prepared to put in the necessary time to helping you build a strong defense.

Facing charges for a sex crime? Contact my firm today at (410) 205-1684 to request more information about how I can help!