Preparing for the Fight
The mere allegation of a sexual crime can have a devastating effect on your life ? regardless of whether charges are eventually filed or if you are convicted. The public is ready to believe the accuser, prosecutors aggressively pursue sex cases and judges follow harsh sentencing guidelines. The criminal justice system is ready to convict you and does not expect much of a fight.

This is where we come in. We understand that sex crimes are not prosecuted the same way as other types of crimes. Mounting a successful defense absolutely requires a defense team with expertise and trial experience dealing with cases like yours. Sexual cases are among the most complex cases for both prosecution and defense. This is one area of law where the smartest and most aggressive legal team usually wins.

FIVE IMPORTANT TIPS


1. NEVER ACCEPT A PLEA BARGAIN. This is especially true if the plea bargain requires that you register as a sex offender. Do not get tempted by offers to make the pain and embarrassment of the charges just go away -- if you plead guilty. Sex crime convictions will permanently taint your reputation and almost always involve lifetime sex offender registration. Even if you are facing only a seemingly minor charge, the consequences of a guilty plea will affect the rest of your life. Attorney sometimes like plea bargains because they are easier and more profitable, and defendants just want their case to go away. Although a plea agreement might be appropriate in some cases, this decision should be taken very seriously and should not be a substitute for defending your rights.

2. OUTGUN THE PROSECUTION. Sexual charges are highly emotional and intimidating. The prosecution usually counts on intimidation to pursue cases that are often light on physical evidence. Make sure that your defense team has the resources, expertise and courtroom track record to beat the prosecution. This is generally not an area for public defenders or small general practitioners. It requires a specialized defense team. This is not an impossible challenge. At Criminal Defense Advocates, our key attorneys are former prosecutors and investigators who have routinely faced down prosecution teams on some of the highest profile cases in the country.

3. DO NOT RELY ON PUBLIC DEFENDERS OR INEXPERIENCED COUNSEL. For attorneys determined to win, sex cases are among the most difficult and costly cases to defend. They require extensive research, witness interviews, polygraph analysis, forensics and other specialized work. Public defenders carry heavy case loads, get assigned too late in the case and do not have the resources to mount this level of defense, and most private attorneys simply don?t have the experience in this specialized area of criminal law.

4. START YOUR DEFENSE EARLY. Sexual cases often are based on the testimony of the accuser and may have little in the way of physical evidence or witnesses. This makes pre-trial investigation particularly important. Assembling a defense team that knows how to investigate these cases can often expose weaknesses in the prosecution?s case that can get you a good outcome without the need for a trial.

5. DO NOT WAIT FOR CHARGES TO BE FILED. The best way to win a sex case is to not be charged in the first place. If you even suspect that you might be under investigation for a sexual offense, retain an experienced attorney immediately. Early intervention is the best way to keep charges from being filed. Once charges are filed, the prosecution has committed itself to getting a conviction. Even if charges are ultimately filed, having an effective defense team early can minimize the charges.

With over two decades of experience in sex crimes defense, we know exactly how to defends against these cases. We have developed specialized strategies for all major categories of sexual cases, and we have proven these strategies hundreds of times around the country. Our track record in sexual criminal defense is simply without parallel.

The bottom line is that a web site is no substitute for legal advice. If you or someone you know may be facing a sex crime charge, call us immediately at (866) 819-7536. The sooner you make the call, the better your chances are for a good outcome. We are experts in these matter and stand ready to help.