Have you been charged with a sex crime in Michigan? Sex crimes are some of the most severe offenses under Michigan law, and prosecutors vigorously pursue convictions and harsh penalties. Don’t make the mistake of facing the criminal justice system alone. Let the criminal defense attorneys of Kirsch Daskas Law Group PLLC protect your rights and advocate for your interests. Contact us today for a free initial case evaluation with a sex crime attorney to discuss how our firm will help you seek the fair and just resolution you deserve.
Why Choose a Sex Crime Attorney from Kirsch Daskas Law Group PLLC?
When sex crime allegations are putting your reputation and future on the line, your choice of legal representation is critical to seeking a positive outcome. Don’t leave yourself at the mercy of the criminal justice system. Instead, get help from the legal team at Kirsch Daskas Law Group PLLC. For decades, people charged with sex offenses have trusted us to guide them and advocate for their rights because:
- Our history: Our firm has over 25 years of experience in the legal profession. Managing partner Lisa Kirsch’s background includes serving with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, which gave her in-depth insight into how the prosecution builds and pursues criminal cases. She uses this inside knowledge to develop tailored legal solutions for her clients.
- Our focus: We approach our representation with a client-first attitude, taking the time to understand your needs and goals so we prioritize them throughout your case. We will involve you in the defense process to better pursue a holistic strategy based on your circumstances and preferences.
- Our success: Our team has a proven record of defending clients in some of the most challenging criminal cases. We work tirelessly to protect your rights and interests in the criminal justice system, guiding you through each step of your case so you never have to go through the process alone.
Understanding Sex Crimes Under Michigan Law
At Kirsch Daskas Law Group PLLC, our sex crimes defense attorneys represent clients in all types of sex offenses. Examples of sex crime cases under Michigan law include:
- Criminal sexual conduct: A person commits an offense if they engage in sexual penetration or contact with a minor, incapacitated person, or non-consenting adult. Criminal sexual conduct can occur through the use of force or coercion to compel a victim to submit to a sexual act or by a person using a position of authority, such as a teacher, caregiver, healthcare provider, or mental health professional.
- Assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct: A person commits a crime if they assault another person with the intent to commit an act of criminal sexual conduct upon that person.
- Indecent exposure: A person commits a crime when they make an open and indecent exposure of their genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or breasts, with the crime becoming more severe if the person also fondles themselves.
- Gross indecency: Two or more people may commit the offense of gross indecency if they engage in sexual activity in public or in private in the presence of others, where such activity may offend other people.
- Enticing a child: The law prohibits soliciting or encouraging a child under 16 to commit an immoral act, submit to sexual activity, or engage in any depraved act.
- Possession of child pornography: A person may not possess, solicit, distribute, or create materials depicting minors engaged in sexual activity or erotic nudity.
Consequences of a Sex Crimes Convictions
A person convicted of a sex crime may face various penalties and consequences. First, a court may impose a jail or prison term for a sex offense conviction, with the duration of the term dependent on the offense of conviction. For example, a person convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct may face a sentence of life imprisonment. The law classifies sex offenses as misdemeanors or felonies, with misdemeanor offenses having maximum jail terms of one or two years and felony offenses resulting in prison terms that can last for years or decades.
A conviction for a sex offense may result in other penalties, such as:
- Fines: Courts may impose fines and court costs in addition to a jail or prison sentence.
- Probation: As an alternative to jail or prison for some less serious sex crimes, a court may sentence a convicted defendant to probation, requiring them to adhere to strict conduct restrictions and report regularly to a probation officer.
- Restitution: In some Michigan sex crime cases, a court may order a convicted defendant to pay restitution to their victim to reimburse them for financial losses caused by the defendant’s crime. For example, these costs might include medical expenses incurred by a victim to recover from the defendant’s sexual assault.
A person convicted of a sex crime may also have an obligation to register on the sex offender registry. Sex offender registration obligations require offenders to report to local law enforcement or the state police quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. They must provide prompt updates regarding changes to residence, employment, enrollment in an educational institution, vehicle information, email address/internet identifiers, and telephone numbers.
Finally, a sex offense conviction can have long-lasting consequences in the form of a stigma from having a criminal record that includes sex crimes and being on the sex offender registry. A criminal record may appear during background checks for employment, housing, or educational applications, making it harder to pursue such opportunities.
The potentially devastating consequences of a conviction for a sex crime make it critical to hire an experienced legal representation to protect your future and avoid life-altering penalties.
Potential Defenses to Sex Crime Charges
A person charged with a sex crime might pursue various defense strategies depending on the facts of their sex crime cases. Potential defenses to sex crime charges include:
- Consent
- Mistaken identity due to unreliable victim/witness identification or suggestive police identification procedures
- Alibi
- Victim fabrication of the allegations
- Unreliable DNA or forensic evidence
- Evidence or statements unlawfully obtained in violation of the defendant’s rights
- Lack of evidence of aggravating factors, such as force or coercion
How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help with Your Case?
When you face prosecution for a sex crime, a criminal defense attorney from Kirsch Daskas Law Group PLLC can help you pursue a favorable resolution to your charges by:
- Independently investigating your case to recover all available evidence that may support your defense
- Reviewing the facts and evidence in your case to identify potential defense strategies
- Explaining your charges and the potential outcomes of your case to you so that you are empowered to make informed decisions at each step of the criminal justice process
- Vigorously contesting the prosecution’s case, including by filing motions to exclude unlawfully obtained or inadmissible evidence or to dismiss or reduce the grading of your charges
- Pursuing the best possible outcome of your case under the circumstances, including going to trial when you choose to fight the prosecution’s case and advocate your innocence
Contact Our Firm Today to Discuss Your Legal Options
If you’ve been arrested and charged with a sex offense in Michigan, you need experienced legal guidance and advocacy to protect your rights, reputation, and freedom. Contact Kirsch Daskas Law Group PLLC today for a free, confidential consultation with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Michigan, and let’s discuss your legal options for pursuing a favorable resolution to your sex crime charges.
