Marietta Sex Crimes Lawyer

Being charged with a sex crime not only comes with a harmful stigma attached, but it also means that you are facing a long potential jail sentence. You can deal with the charges with the help of the Marietta criminal defense attorney.

When your future is in doubt due to a serious criminal charge, you should turn to an attorney at Waid Law Firm, LLC who has deep experience in the criminal justice system. Addison Waid has served as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney, giving him a unique perspective about your individual case. No matter what crime you are charged with, he is committed to providing you with vigorous legal representation.

Waid Law Firm, LLC is located at 399 Washington Ave NE, Marietta, GA 30060, inside of the 120 Loop. Call us today at 470-458-9866 to schedule a free initial consultation.

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Client Dustin Pope writes: “His communication is consistent, his guidance is solid, and he treats your case with the seriousness and respect it deserves. Addison Waid doesn’t just represent you he actually shows up for you.”

Types of Sex Crimes Under Georgia Law

The Georgia Code contains a large number of sex crimes that include the following:

• Rape is carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will or sexual intercourse obtained through force, threats, or intimidation. Rape is punishable by ten years to life in prison without parole in certain circumstances (such as when there is extreme violence or brutality or particularly vulnerable victims).
• Statutory rape involves sexual intercourse with a person below the age of consent (the general age of consent in Georgia is 16). The penalties depend on the age of the defendant, the age gap between the participants and a number of other factors).
• Child Molestation: This crime involves committing an immoral or indecent act involving a child under 16 for the purpose of sexual gratification, and it can include intercourse, sexual touching or other sexual acts involving a child. The penalties depend on the nature of the offense and whether there are other aggravating factors. A first offense can result in a jail sentence of between five to twenty years.
• Sexual Battery: This occurs when a defendant intentionally makes physical contact with intimate body parts of another person without consent. Sexual battery against an adult is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, but the crime is charged as a felony when the victim is under 16 years old.
• Child Sexual Exploitation: Georgia law makes it illegal to produce, distribute, possess or view material that depicts child sexual abuse. This is a felony that is punishable by five to twenty years in prison.

Certain sex crimes, such as trafficking, child exploitation and possession of child pornography, can be charged as a federal offense.

Defenses to Sex Crimes Charges in Georgia

Your Marietta sex crimes lawyer will conduct a complete investigation of your case to determine whether there are any applicable defenses. You may use the following to defend against sex crimes charges:

• Your accuser consented to the alleged act (although this defense cannot be used when a child is involved)
• You were the victim of mistaken identity.
• You were entrapped into committing the act by illegal actions of law enforcement.
• You lacked the required intent to commit the crime (sex crimes often require the prosecutor to prove intent).
• Your constitutional rights were otherwise violated in the arrest or pretrial process

What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Accused of a Sex Crime?

While many will tell you what to do after you have been accused of a sex crime, what is equally important is what actions you should avoid taking. There are certain mistakes that can make your legal situation far worse than it already is. Specifically, when you have been accused of or charged with any type of sex crime, you should not do the following:

• Speak to law enforcement without your sex crimes attorney being present
• Attempt to clear your name by speaking publicly about your case, whether it is verbally or on social media
• Contact your accuser to discuss their allegations with them
• Reach any quick decisions about the proper course of action in your case

Hiring a sex crimes attorney as soon as you learn that you have been accused is one way to avoid making any of these mistakes.

We Provide Representation in Your Sex Crimes Case Without a Hint of Judgment

A rush to judgment is one of the major challenges that you will face as a sex crime defendant. Even though every criminal defendant is innocent until proven guilty, the nature of the crime that you have been charged with will shape opinions of you. One thing that you can be confident of is that when you hire Waid Law Firm, LLC for your case, you will get an attorney who does not judge you. We believe that everyone is entitled to the strongest legal defense possible, regardless of the nature of the Criminal charges.

Other Consequences of a Sex Crimes Conviction

Even being an accused sex offender can have catastrophic effects on your reputation. The situation is far worse when you are convicted of the crime. First, you may need to register as a sex offender, and this record is publicly viewable by everyone. Second, finding employment or a place to live as a convicted sex offender will be extremely difficult. A conviction can mean that the rest of your life is significantly impacted, far after you have completed any penalty or jail sentence.

Contact a Marietta Sex Crime Law Firm

At Waid Law Firm, LLC, we represent clients in a variety of cases involving sex crimes, working to provide you with aggressive and diligent legal representation. We are a veteran-owned firm that is committed to our clients at all times. Schedule a free initial consultation with Addison Waid by visiting our website or by calling us today at 470-458-9866.