Protecting Your Reputation After A Sex Crime Accusation
Being accused of a sex crime changes everything. Your family, career, freedom and future may never be the same without proper legal intervention. At Johnston, Stannard, Klesner, Burbidge & Fitzgerald, P.L.C., our attorneys strive to protect people in Iowa from the irreversible damage of a sex crime conviction.
The Sex Crimes Our Firm Handles
Our attorneys help people who are facing a variety of sex crime accusations, including:
- Sexual abuse
- Sexual assault
- Sex crimes related to domestic violence
- Assault with intent to commit sex abuse
- Indecent exposure
- Invasion of privacy
- Lascivious acts with a child
It’s our job to defend you, not to judge you. In our eyes, you are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. We believe everyone deserves a chance to defend themselves.
What Are The Penalties For Sex Crimes In Iowa?
The nature and degree of a sex crime are based on many factors, including:
- The age of the victim
- The defendant’s age
- The relationship between the victim and the defendant
- If the offense was violent or if there was a weapon involved
- If intoxicating substances were present
The penalties for sex crimes include prison time, fines and being required to register as a sex offender.
Even if the charge a defendant is convicted of is not technically a sex crime, the court has the authority to find the offense sexually motivated and require the defendant to register as a sex offender.
Registering As A Sex Offender In Iowa
Sex crimes, as a sentencing condition, require an individual to register as a sex offender on the sex offender registry under Iowa state law. If you register as a sex offender, you have less privacy. You have to verify your information with the state periodically, tell them when you move, and the police may drop in to check on you. There are places you’re banned from going and you can’t travel out of the state without permission. Employment opportunities, housing options and even internet access can be limited.
Iowa employs a three-tier system that defines the registration requirements. Tier I is the least severe group of offenses and includes stalking and indecent exposure. Tier II is the middle group in terms of severity and includes soliciting sex from a minor and lascivious acts with a minor. Tier III has the most severe offenses, including sex acts done by force and human sex trafficking. The tier an individual is placed into is determined by the specific sex offense and the individual’s criminal history.
In addition to any jail or prison sentence and the requirement to register as a sex offender, a conviction requires a 10-year to lifetime special parole to the Iowa Department of Corrections.
How We Made A Difference In Sex Crime Cases
The direct and collateral consequences of a sex crime will be life-altering. Our firm’s experienced attorneys could drastically change your case’s outcome and possibly help you avoid those life-altering consequences.
Consult With A Sex Crimes Attorney Today
If you’ve been accused of a sex crime, get legal help immediately to protect your freedom, reputation and future. Our attorneys are standing by. Call 319-359-6492 or reach out online to request a free initial consultation.