Clarksville Sex Crimes Lawyer

What is Considered a Sex Crime in Tennessee?

In the state of Tennessee, a sex crime refers to a criminal offense that involves sexual misconduct or exploitation. Sex crimes encompass a range of illegal activities that often involve non-consensual or illegal sexual behavior. Some common examples of sex crimes recognized in Tennessee can include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Rape
• Aggravated Rape
• Statutory Rape
• Sexual Battery

What are the Penalties for Sex Crimes in Tennessee?

The penalties for sex crimes in Tennessee can include imprisonment, fines, probation, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. Examples of potential penalties associated with some sex crimes in the state can include:

• Rape: Rape is typically considered a Class B felony in Tennessee. The punishment for a Class B felony can include imprisonment for a minimum of eight years up to a maximum of 30 years, along with fines.
• Aggravated Rape: Aggravated rape is a more serious offense and is classified as a Class A felony. If convicted, the potential penalties include a prison sentence for a minimum of 15 years up to a maximum of 60 years, along with fines.
• Statutory Rape: Penalties for statutory rape in Tennessee will be dependent on the age difference between the parties involved and whether the defendant is over or under the age of 18. Statutory rape may range from a misdemeanor to a felony offense. Penalties may include imprisonment, fines, probation, and mandatory registration as a sex offender.
• Sexual Battery: Sexual battery is generally classified as a Class E felony in Tennessee. The potential penalties can include imprisonment for a minimum of one year up to a maximum of six years, along with fines.

It's important to mention that these penalties can vary depending on specific factors like the severity of the particular offense, whether there were aggravating circumstances, any prior convictions, and other considerations. Consulting with an experienced sex crimes attorney from Goble & Yow Attorneys, PLLC, should be your first priority.

How to Defend Against Sex Crime Charges

The penalties for sex crimes can be severe. In the worst cases, such as child rape, you could be sentenced to a minimum of 25 years without any petition for reduced sentencing for at least 15 years after that. Additionally, all sex offenders will be required to list themselves on the sex offender registry, making it next to impossible to live anywhere without scrutiny. You need to protect yourself if you hope to have any chance at a normal life following an accusation.

Some possible defenses against a conviction could include the following:

• Wrong person accused: With methods such as DNA testing, you may be able to prove that you were not the one who committed the crime against the victim.
• Psychological instability: While most accusations of sex crimes are grounded in truth, not all are. In cases where you are accused of something you know you didn’t do, requesting tests for the mental stability of the victim can help prove your innocence.
• Unlawfully obtained evidence: If police used illegal means to accuse you of a crime, the evidence could be deemed inadmissible and help to protect you from a conviction.