Charged with a sex crime in New Mexico? Your future is on the line, but your life is not over. An Albuquerque sex crimes defense lawyer can make the process easier and gives you a higher chance of setting the record straight.
Sex Crime Charges
Understand the charges so you know what you’re facing.
If you are charged with a crime related to alleged unwanted or illegal sexual contact with another person, you have been charged with a sex crime. There are several types of sex crimes, and you can be charged with varying degrees of each, as well as “attempted” sex crimes.
Below, we discuss some of the common types of sex crime charges in New Mexico.
Also called criminal sexual penetration, rape is an extremely serious charge. Forcing someone to have sex or forcing sexual penetration on another person is considered rape. There are a few different criminal charges related to rape in New Mexico:
No matter what kind of rape charge you have received, you need to take it seriously. A New Mexico rape lawyer can help you understand your next steps.
A criminal sexual contact charge is different from a rape charge in New Mexico. This charge does not involve sexual penetration and covers a broad range of actions. Essentially, you can be charged with criminal sexual contact if you are accused of using force or coercion to touch another adult’s intimate parts.
If the alleged action caused an injury to the victim, was done while you were said to be armed or was done with the help of another alleged perpetrator, you can be charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
Criminal sexual contact is basically the charge described above but applied when the alleged victim is a minor. There are a few different charges related to criminal sexual contact with a minor:
Sex crimes involving minors don’t always have to include physical contact. You could also be charged with a sex crime if you possess, distribute, or view child pornography.
Case Results
We dedicate our practice to achieving the best results for our clients, no matter the situation. We know how to negotiate with prosecutors and other attorneys to reach a resolution that will meet your needs.
Acquitted
Federal Sex Trafficking
Our client faced federal sex trafficking charges, which would result in significant time in federal prison. Our attorneys were able to get the client acquitted of all charges.
Penalties
We will help you minimize the consequences.
New Mexico courts take all sex crimes extremely seriously. That’s why people who have been charged with sex crimes in our state face incredibly harsh penalties, such as those described below.
For most people, this is the big one. And that’s understandable — being behind bars destroys your freedom for years.
Each sex crime charge comes with its own amount of time in jail or prison. The following are a few examples:
Any time behind bars is too much time. The good news is that a New Mexico sex crimes attorney can give you a shot at avoiding incarceration.
As if imprisonment isn’t bad enough, the state of New Mexico also imposes fines on those who are convicted of sex crimes. Let’s take a look at the fines for the examples we used above:
Keep in mind that you will be unable to work if you have to spend any time in jail or prison. So, even if these fines don’t sound like much to you, they can become a huge burden if you face a sex crime conviction.
The penalties for sex crimes in New Mexico go far beyond time in correctional facilities and steep monetary fines. To start, if you are convicted of a sex crime, the social stigma of being a so-called “sexual predator” can follow you for the rest of your life. This costs you relationships with family, friends, co-workers and more.
Here are some other potential penalties tied to sex crimes in New Mexico:
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Our Part in the Process
A good investigation will lead to a strong defense.
If the penalties for the sex crime you have been charged with sound scary, that’s because they are scary. They are designed to be that way. But there is good news: With the right defense, you may be able to reduce your penalties or avoid them completely.
The following are a few common defenses to sex crimes:
These are only a few of the defenses that can be used against sex crime charges. Your New Mexico sex crimes defense attorney can help you tailor a strong defense for your unique case.
FAQs
Answering your questions and pushing forward with knowledge.
Getting charged with a sex crime is a shock, and it is usually followed by a series of questions. As experienced sex crimes defense attorneys, we have gotten a lot of questions from people in situations like yours over the years. We have answered a few of the most common questions below.
Yes. If you are convicted of a sex crime in New Mexico, you have to register with your county sheriff as a sex offender. Failing to register as a sex offender is a felony.
It is possible to get sex crime charges reduced or dropped in New Mexico. This most often happens when your attorney negotiates with the prosecutor to arrange for you to take a plea deal or demonstrate that your case is no longer viable for the prosecutor.
Your choice of lawyer is completely up to you. And while most public defenders are talented attorneys who care deeply about their clients, they also happen to have high caseloads. That means they not be able to devote the same level of attention to your case as a private New Mexico sex crimes defense lawyer.
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No matter how hopeless your situation may feel right now, it is important that you remain focused. You have been charged with a sex crime — not convicted. That means there is still a chance to build a strong defense and avoid prison, fines and the other penalties tied to sex crime convictions.
For help fighting back and preserving your future after a sex crime charge, reach out to the trusted New Mexico sex crime lawyers at Harrison & Hart, LLC, as soon as you can. The sooner you get a lawyer involved, the better your chances are of building a successful defense to your charge.
Working with expert witnesses, forensic evidence and years of legal knowledge, our attorneys have what it takes to help you beat your charge. We offer free initial consultations. To schedule yours, reach out to our law firm by calling (505) 295-3261 or contacting us online.
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From our office in Albuquerque, Harrison & Hart, LLC serves clients throughout New Mexico. We are focused on getting you the best outcome possible in the harshest of situations.