Savannah GA Statutory Rape Lawyer -

Statutory Rape in Georgia

Georgia sex crime laws are in place to protect the innocent of all ages, but indeed, society takes sexual transgressions against minors such as statutory rape extremely seriously. The penalties are severe for all sex crimes in the state of Georgia, and many would agree that this is as it should be, but we all need to remember that people are not guilty just because they have been arrested and accused of a crime.

 

We are all entitled to qualified counsel, and if we so choose, a jury trial by our peers, and burden of proof always lies with the prosecution. So it is very important for anyone who is charged with statutory rape to get in touch with a Georgia criminal defense attorney now, and they should do so before making any statements to the authorities that may be used against them later on.

 

Though it is a very serious felony offense, statutory rape does not imply that there was any forcible sexual activity imposed upon the victim. The law states that it is illegal for an adult to engage in sexual intercourse with an individual who is under the age of sixteen, unless that person is his or her spouse. As in any crime of a sexual nature, the testimony of the alleged victim is not the only criteria that is to be used to convict the accused. In fact, in matters of statutory rape, Georgia Code 16-6-3. explicitly states that "no conviction shall be had for this offense on the unsupported testimony of the victim."

 

The penalty for a conviction on a charge of statutory rape is at least one year of incarceration and up to twenty years at the discretion of the presiding judge. There is a provision within the statute that reduces the charge to a misdemeanor if the victim was either fourteen or fifteen years old, and the accused was no more than three years older than the victim. These cases can be tried as a misdemeanor, and that too is at the discretion of the judge to whom the case has been assigned.

 

A charge of statutory rape can cost an individual time in jail and follow them around for the rest of their lives when they are looking for work, trying to get into school or serve our country, or even when looking for a place to live. The wise course of action for anyone who is accused of statutory rape is to retain an experienced Savannah Georgia criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible, even before he or she has made any formal statements to the authorities.

If you or a loved one are accused of statutory rape, then contact our experienced Savannah GA sex crime defense lawyers immediately.