Strategic & Aggressive Defense from Okabe & Haushalter
Sex with a minor is considered statutory rape, which is a sex crime that carries serious penalties in the state of Nevada. A minor is someone under the age of 16 for charges in this state. If you have been accused of sex with a minor, retaining a defense attorney right away is important to protect your rights and freedom. At Okabe & Haushalter, our attorneys have years of experience defending those charged with sex crimes and can present a strong defense on your behalf. Most sex crime charges create notoriety in local media and the community. When they involve a minor, it can be even more so. That is why it is important to have a skilled lawyer to provide you with the type of defense that can help avoid the serious penalties that a conviction can bring.
Nevada’s Statutory Rape Laws (NRS 200.368)
According to Nevada Revised Statutes § 200.368, statutory rape can be defined as “statutory sexual seduction.” If the perpetrator is over the age of 21, then they will be guilty of a category C felony. If the person who has sex with a minor is under the age of 21, then they shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor. For a category C felony, a person can face up to 5 years in state prison and even up to $10,000 in fines. The penalties for gross misdemeanors of this nature in the state of Nevada can be a maximum 1 year in jail and/or up to $2,000 in fines.
The state of Nevada also makes a distinction for when statutory rape involves a school employee and a pupil. These laws can be found in the NRS 201.540 or 201.550. Anyone who works for or with an educational institution and participates in any type of sexual conduct with a student, the school employee could face a category C felony. Typically, the school employee will be over the age of 21 and the student will be 16 to 17 years old. In this case, it will be a category C felony, but when the employee is over 21 and the student is 14 to 15 years old, this could be classified as a category B felony punishable by up to 6 years in state prison and even $5,000 in fines.
Las Vegas Criminal Defense Lawyer
With the seriousness of the charges, formulating a strong defense is a must. As former prosecutors, our legal team is familiar with methods used by the prosecution to convict those charged with sex crimes. With this information, we can use our knowledge in the area to pick their case apart and challenge any evidence that may have been obtained illegally. There are other defenses that can be used as well, especially if you were unaware the person was a minor and believed you were having consensual sex with an adult.
It is vital to avoid a conviction whenever possible, as the penalties can be devastating to your future. Besides prison time and other penalties, most sex crimes require mandatory registration as a sex offender. This can follow you for the rest of your life, affecting your job opportunities and housing prospects. Don’t let this happen to you. Choose the firm that has a track record of success and can provide you with knowledgeable and aggressive legal representation. Contact a Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer for legal assistance when facing sex with a minor charges.
Police Tactics & Entrapment
Police are very aggressive about apprehending potential sex crime offenders, which can lead to violations of a defendant’s constitutional rights. For example, police can pose as a victim and exchange correspondence with someone, making them think they are in communication with a young person. They may even go so far as to post fake pictures and profiles online. Additionally, many false allegations may stem from a young person who may just be playing a prank or has some ax to grind against a particular adult. In the situation of police entrapment, the constitutional rights of the person charged may have been violated, which can be paramount to your defense. We can use our knowledge to determine where police overstepped legal boundaries and violated your constitutional rights, in addition to other elements crucial to your defense.
Work with a Hard-Hitting Las Vegas Defense Attorney
The penalties for luring of a minor can be quite severe, including prison sentences and hefty fines. Because this crime is often a means to commit another crime, defendants may face several charges. Our criminal defense lawyers of Okabe & Haushalter are strong supporters of the accused in all criminal cases. Our focus is to build the strongest case possible based on the information at hand and by examining the efforts of law enforcement and the prosecution in detail to convict. Our firm does not shy away from any courtroom fight, and we can work hard to ensure that you have the best opportunity for success against your charges.
Contact a Las Vegas sex crime defense lawyer if you have been accused of luring of a minor and need to focus on building an aggressive defense.