Sexual Assault Lawyer in West Palm Beach
A sexual assault charge impacts your life from the moment of your arrest. Some people will assume you are guilty of the charge even if you did not engage in unsolicited, forced, or non-consensual sex or contact with another person. As bad as it is right now, it will be much worse if convicted. Then, you will face severe criminal penalties, including registering as a sex offender.
Even if you have been found guilty in the court of public opinion, there might be evidence to prove you were not involved or the other party consented. It is even possible that you crossed a line but did not commit sexual assault, meaning your lawyer might be able to get the charges reduced or dropped altogether.
With so much on the line, it is important to speak to a West Palm Beach sexual assault lawyer before moving forward. Ronald S. Chapman has over 34 years of experience defending clients from harsh criminal charges, and he is here to help you mount your defense.
Examples of Sexual Assault
You can face a sexual assault charge for a broad range of offenses, including:
- Rape
- Attempted rape
- Forced object penetration or sodomy
- Unwanted fondling or touching
False Accusations And Sexual Assault Charges
Unfortunately, false accusations can lead to sexual assault charges in West Palm Beach. While false accusations occur for a myriad of reasons, two situations stand out as the most common.
First, false accusations are far too common when parents are involved in child custody cases. A parent might accuse the other parent of committing assault in an effort to prevent that person from getting custody of the child.
Retaliation after a failed romance is another reason behind false accusations. If one person did not want the relationship to end, he or she might accuse the other party of sexual assault as a means to retaliate.
If you are facing a false accusation, you need an experienced sexual assault defense lawyer in West Palm Beach by your side. Your attorney will thoroughly investigate the charges and evidence against you. If the evidence points to a false accusation, your lawyer can help to make that clear to a jury.
Possible Defenses To Sexual Assault Charges
Your West Palm Beach sexual assault attorney will review the case before devising a defense strategy. Common strategies are lack of evidence, false accusations, and the consent of the other person. Additionally, your lawyer will review the actions of law enforcement to see if your constitutional rights were violated.
These are just some of the things to look for when defending against sexual assault cases. Learn more by reaching out to our firm today.
Actions To Take If Arrested For Sexual Assault
Law enforcement would prefer to interview you without an attorney present. They use various tactics to get people to implicate themselves, even if they are not guilty. Unfortunately, anything you say can be held against you during a trial. Thus, even if you say something due to confusion, it could lead to a guilty verdict. Thus, contact your West Palm Beach sexual assault lawyer as soon as you are arrested. Do not answer any questions before speaking with an experienced lawyer.
Work With A Sole Practitioner To Defend Sexual Assault Charges
Facing a sexual assault accusation is all-consuming. You are worried about what the future will bring. You need someone by your side that is equally concerned about your charges. As a sole practitioner, Ronald S. Chapman works directly with clients. You will not get passed from employee to employee or change lawyers in the middle of your case. Instead, you will get to work alongside our West Palm Beach sexual assault lawyer to build your defense.