Facing sex crime charges can be difficult, but it is even more so when the charges involve a child. The media often convicts the defendant in the court of public opinion before he or she has even made a first court appearance. This is why it is so crucial for anyone facing this type of charge to begin working on one’s case with the help of an experienced lawyer.
A 40-year-old man from Raleigh, North Carolina, has been arrested on six sex crime charges. Those charges include two counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor, two counts of first-degree sexual offense and two counts of first-degree child rape. The alleged victim was reportedly 4 years old when the alleged incidents started in 2011. The incidents alleged continue through November of last year.
Police said that the alleged victim and the man knew one another before the alleged incidents occurred. The man is currently being held on a $2 million bail.
Some child sex crime charges are the result of a parent seeking to harm the defendant. Others are a case of “he said, she said.” In many cases, the only evidence may be the testimony of the alleged victim. This is why it is crucial for a defendant to learn more about how to create a defense strategy based on the available evidence. These charges have serious penalties, including significant prison time, fines, parole and inclusion on the state’s sex crime registry. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help those facing such charges learn more about their legal options.
Source: The News and Observer, “Raleigh man arrested on child-rape charges,” April 18, 2016