Sex Crimes

Sex Crime Defense Attorney Lake Charles

Have you been charged with a sex crime? When you are charged with a sex crime, it’s a very scary and stressful time. You need to talk to an experienced Lake Charles sex crime attorney that can represent you throughout the legal process.

No matter what type of sex crime you’ve been charged with, The Johnson Firm stands up for your rights and works hard to get the best results possible for your case, minimizing or eliminating penalties whenever possible.

WHAT TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT SEX CRIMES IN LOUISIANA?

There are many types of sex crimes that are defined by the Louisiana State Legislature. They are serious criminal offenses that come with severe penalties. Sex crimes can result in a wide range of fines and jail time that vary depending on the circumstances and details of each case.

There are many different factors affecting outcomes in this area of law, such as if a victim is a minor, if the offender has a criminal history, and more.

Sex crimes in Louisiana include but are not limited to:

Any adult who resides in Louisiana and has pled guilty to, or has been convicted of, a sexual offense or a criminal offense against a juvenile, is required to complete the daunting and time-consuming process of registering as a sex offender in accordance with La. R.S. 15:542. Depending on the severity of the sexual offense, the duration that a person must register as a sex offender varies. In most cases, according to La. R.S. 15:544, a person who is convicted of a sexual offense against an adult is required to register for a period of fifteen years. Furthermore, a person who is convicted of a sexual offense against a juvenile is typically required to register for a period of twenty-five years. In some instances, a person may be required to register for a lifetime.

However, in certain instances, after a person has registered as a sex offender for a certain amount of time, he may be terminated from such duty upon filing a motion in the court where the offender was convicted. The registration period of fifteen years may be terminated after ten years if the offender maintains a clean record for the entire ten-year period. A required lifetime registration may be terminated after twenty-five years if the offender was adjudicated delinquent for the offense.

No matter the type of case or the severity of the outcome that you’re facing, A Lake Charles sex crime attorney from The Johnson Firm is here to take on your case and study every aspect to achieve the best outcome possible.  

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A DEFENSE TEAM YOU CAN TRUST

The Johnson Firm has a successful team of top criminal defense lawyers with the experience and knowledge to lead you through the process with confidence. We have a long, winning history of protecting the rights of our clients. You can rest assured knowing we will fight for you every step of the way.

Our goal is to reduce or eliminate the charges. We do so by diligently investigating your case and exercising the rights you’ve been given as a citizen. We want to exceed your expectations and help you see a better future after your case.

WHAT ARE SEX CRIME DEFENSES?

At the very first hearing in your case, our criminal defense attorney files numerous motions requesting any and all evidence that the prosecutor intends to use against you in order to strategically employ defenses aimed at achieving the best possible outcome in your case, whether it be a reduction in charge(s) or an outright dismissal. These motions also demand evidence that the State has in its possession which is favorable to the defendant’s case, commonly referred to as exculpatory evidence. Likewise, often times it is necessary for additional motions be filed to demand evidence not initially disclosed that shed light on a sloppy investigation, dishonest police officers, or a failure by the police to preserve evidence and/or follow policy.  To that end, evidence may be suppressed (i.e. ruled inadmissible/thrown out) if it is determined that such evidence was unconstitutionally seized or if the police officer failed to preserve evidence properly as required by law. The following are some sex crime defenses that have been successfully utilized:

  1. False Allegations:  In some cases, an alleged victim will fabricate some or all of their version of events to officers with the sole purpose of getting the other person arrested. When such is the case, our criminal defense attorney and our investigator will zealously investigate the case to find corroborating evidence to support this defense in court and/or to bolster negotiations with the prosecutor to have your case dismissed or substantially reduced prior to trial.
  2. Violation of Constitutional Rights: Everyone has a constitutional right against self-incrimination; therefore, an officer must advise a person of their rights, including their right to refuse questioning, prior to any interrogation and/or testing. Officers routinely fail to properly honor a suspect’s right to refuse questioning or cutoff questioning. Accordingly, when the officer fails to honor the suspect’s rights, statements made by the subject may be suppressed and the charges dismissed.
  3. Missing Video Footage: Law enforcement agencies have specific policies and procedures in place that mandate officers to record their investigation and interaction with parties involved. Therefore, unit and/or body camera footage should be available from every officer that was on scene assisting with the investigation in order to give an accurate depiction of the events that took place. When material and or exculpatory video is lost, our criminal defense attorney will seek to have the charges dismissed based on a violation of due process.
  4. Entrapment: Law enforcement cannot motivate an otherwise innocent person to commit a crime and then prosecute them for committing that crime. Accordingly, if its determined that officers initiate contact with a person and then enticed them to commit a crime, our criminal defense attorney will seek to have the charges dismissed.
  5. Warrantless Search/Seizure: Officers must obtain a valid warrant prior to searching and seizing evidence from a person’s property.  If the facts listed in the affidavit supporting the warrant do not constitute probable cause, our criminal defense attorney will file a Motion to Suppress the evidence seized as a result of the invalid warrant. This can result in your charge(s) being dismissed or drastically reduced.

PARTNER WITH THE JOHNSON FIRM

Don’t proceed without partnering with The Johnson Firm. Let a Lake Charles sex crime attorney take on the hard work.

We want to hear about your case today. Get in touch with us to book your in-depth case evaluation and see what your next best steps are.

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We believe every person deserves a fair, honest, and just defense and defend clients charged with the pettiest of offenses to the most serious of crimes.

Our attorneys will thoroughly examine every detail of your case and fight to resolve any discrepancies revealed. We have a passion for the truth and will challenge anyone who attempts to obscure it.