One of the most serious crimes a person can be charged with in Maryland is a sex crime. Even if you are proven innocent, you will face a number of consequences throughout your life just by being accused. If you are charged with a sex crime, such as sexual assault, rape, prostitution, statutory rape, indecent exposure, or a number of other crimes, it is imperative that you speak with an Annapolis sex crimes attorney at our firm who can help clear your name. If you are convicted of such a crime, you may be subject to having your name on the Maryland Sexual Offender Registry and have a permanent criminal record, impacting where you can live, work, and more. The Law Offices of Debra A. Saltz has decades of experience representing clients who have been charged with serious sex crimes, including rape, statutory rape, prostitution, indecent exposure, sexual assault, and more. For strong legal representation, contact our firm today.
Felonies Considered Sex Crimes
In the state of Maryland, the consequences of a sex crime conviction are among the most serious a person can face for any type of crime. One of the important factors that are taken into consideration when determining the category of felony that the crime falls into is your criminal history, in combination with the nature of the crime. The following crimes fall into these felony categories:
Felony I
- Rape in the first degree: Life
- Subsequent rape in the first degree: Life without parole
- Rape in the first degree in combination with kidnapping a child younger than 16: Life without parole
- Rape in the first degree as an adult with a victim under 13: Life without parole, a minimum of 25 years
- Sexual offense in the first degree: Life
- Subsequent sexual offense in the first degree: Life without parole
Felony II
- Attempted Rape in the first degree: Life
- Rape in the second degree: 20 Years
- Sexual offense in the second degree: 20 years
- Rape in the second degree of a victim under 13: Life, a minimum of 15 years
- Child abuse of a sexual nature under certain conditions: 25 years
Felony III
- Attempted rape in the second degree: 20 years
Of course, this list is comprised of many other crimes as well. With such serious consequences on the line, you need an attorney that can effectively fight for you.
Maryland Sex Offender Registry
If you are convicted of a sex crime in the state of Maryland, you are required to have your name on the Maryland Sex Offender Registry for a predetermined number of years. The registry requirements are broken into three tiers, including:
Tier I: Anyone who has committed a Tier I crime will be required to be on the Sex Offender Registry for 15 years. Crimes that fall into Tier I include sex offenses in the fourth degree, possession of child pornography, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, sexual internet crimes, and visual surveillance for sexual interest.
Tier II: Anyone who has committed a Tier II crime will be subject to 25 years on the Maryland Sex Offender Registry. Tier II crimes include the distribution of child pornography, hiring a minor for prostitution, abduction of a minor for prostitution, operating a house of prostitution, human trafficking, sexual solicitation of a minor, among others.
Tier III: Those who have committed a Tier III crime, which is the most serious, will be on the Sex Offender Registry for life. Some of these crimes include felonies, such as rape, kidnapping, attempted rape, sexual assault, the sale of a minor, incest, and more.
Contact an Annapolis Sex Crimes Attorney
If you are facing charges of a sex crime, including rape, statutory rape, prostitution, indecent exposure, sexual assault, it is critical that you contact the experienced legal team at the Law Offices of Debra A. Saltz as soon as possible. Our effective legal defense and professional legal services can help you through this serious legal matter. With so much of your future at risk, you need an attorney that can effectively fight for you. We are the firm to call. Contact the Law Offices of Debra A Saltz today.
