Sex Crimes Lawyers in Delaware

Helping Our Clients Fight Against Wrongful Accusations

Crimes involving sexual acts are considered extremely heinous, so they typically carry severe penalties. In fact, some of these crimes can result in life imprisonment under Delaware law. If you or a loved one has been accused of such a crime, you may wonder about how to proceed. We’ve seen countless examples of wrongful allegations destroying people’s lives. If you hope to avoid such an outcome, it may be in your best interest to contact a Delaware sex crimes lawyer today.

At Schwartz & Schwartz, Attorneys at Law, we’ve spent years defending the wrongfully accused. Contact us today to learn more about how we can defend you.

Do You Need an Attorney When Charged With Sex Crimes?

When someone is accused of a sex crime, they often believe telling their side of the story will clear their name. We’ll discuss throughout this guide how difficult this can be, but for now, let’s consider an individual who thinks talking to the police is the best way to do this. After all, if authorities hear what really happened, the system should ensure you’re not wrongfully convicted. Right? Unfortunately, the system doesn’t always work like this.

In fact, the Innocence Project has entire archives of individuals who were wrongfully accused of sex crimes and later exonerated. In some cases, these travesties of justice are due to mistaken identity. Unfortunately, there are also many instances where it’s been proven that alleged victims fabricated their stories. You’re likely very aware of what an accusation can lead to, so don’t risk your freedom. Speak with a sex crimes lawyer in Delaware to protect your rights.

What Are the Possible Delaware Sex Crimes?

When people think of sex crimes, rape, and child molestation are typically the first things to come to mind. While these certainly fall under the sex crime umbrella, they’re far from the only related charges you may face. If you land on the offender registry, however, you can bet that people will automatically think you’re a rapist or molester. This is particularly troubling since some individuals have found themselves on the registry for public urination and other non-sexual crimes. If you’re charged for a sex crime in Delaware, though, it will typically fall into one of the following categories:

• Rape
• Statutory rape
• Unlawful sexual contact (USC)
• Indecent exposure
• Possession of child pornography
• Criminal sexual harassment
• Other sexually-related offenses

If you’re accused of one of these crimes, it’s only human nature to want to clear your name. Many people believe the quickest way to do this is to simply tell their side of the story to authorities. Unfortunately, this can prove disastrous if you don’t have legal representation. Once you’re suspected of a crime, police typically work from the viewpoint that you’re guilty. This means you’re not getting a fair chance, so reach out to a Delaware sex crimes attorney immediately.

What Should You Do if Your Minor Child Is Accused?

You may one day get a call from the police, school administrators, or other officials asking for permission to interview your child. They may believe your young one engaged in some inappropriate behavior. In every case, your answer to this question should be “no.” Reach out to a criminal defense attorney immediately. The person on the other end of the line may say they just want to “get to the bottom of this,” but in reality, they’re likely ready to ruin your child’s life.

For instance, did you know that a minor can be charged with child pornography in Delaware for “sexting” with their friends? Other teenagers have found themselves on sexual offender registries for having sex with other teenagers. Whatever you do, never believe that authorities or school officials have your child’s best interests in mind. If there’s even a hint that your youngster may be suspected of something inappropriate, do not hesitate to contact a sex crimes attorney in Delaware.

Should You Take a Plea Deal?

If you’ve been arrested for a gun crime — or for any crime where you may have had a firearm in your possession — the most important thing is to remain silent. It’s the very first thing a person is told when they’re Mirandized upon arrest. These rights might not be read aloud if police have no intention of questioning you. Regardless, do not admit to anything or even say anything if officers place you under arrest. It’s no exaggeration that they’ll use everything you say against you later.

From this point, it’s imperative that you reach out to a criminal defense attorney. While you aren’t required to have a gun crime lawyer in Delaware, DE, trying to take on the system on your own is never a good idea. Additionally, you’ll find that any attorney from the public defender’s office will likely be overburdened with cases. This isn’t a great thing for you since they’ll have to split their time among many clients. You need representation who can focus on you.

An experienced Delaware criminal defense attorney can help you better navigate the justice system. They can advise you on whether a plea arrangement is appropriate or whether you should go to trial in an attempt to secure an acquittal. The right path forward can vary significantly based on the underlying facts of your case. However, having an experienced legal advocate on your side is never a bad thing.

Contact a Sex Crimes Lawyer in Delaware Today

Far too many people become victims of sexual assault every year, and it’s important to not minimize their experiences. Unfortunately, many studies have also found that 10% or more of these allegations are false. At Schwartz & Schwartz, Attorneys at Law, we’ve seen what happens when unfounded allegations ruin a person’s life. In some cases, this has led to innocent victims being imprisoned for decades — and those are just the cases that we know about.

Contact us today to protect your rights by calling (302) 678-8700.