The Rights Of Those Accused Of Sexual Assault On A Minor

In Illinois, the law presumes that someone younger than 17 is unable to consent to sexual contact. The protection of minors from predators is of vital importance. However, not all sexual misconduct involves predatory intentions.

A minor may have convinced you that he or she was of the age of consent. You may even have met on an adult website or seen an ID as proof of the minor’s age. Perhaps you and the minor have been dating and are both underage. There are many factors to consider, and a skilled and aggressive attorney can examine those factors thoroughly.

An Overview Of Sexual Assault Involving Minors

Generally, sexual assault is a felony resulting in mandatory prison with no eligibility for parole if convicted. At Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC, we will work to defend you against any sexual assault charges, including the following offenses involving minors:

  • Aggravated criminal sexual assault: The accused is under 17, and the victim is 8 years or younger.
  • Predatory criminal sexual assault: The accused is 17 or older, and the victim is younger than 13 years.
  • Aggravated criminal sexual abuse: This complex category involves sexual conduct between family members, through use of threats or force, or upon a victim who is unable to give consent because of age or mental capacity.
  • Criminal sexual abuse: The accused is younger than 17 and the victim between 9 and 16 years, or the victim is between 13 and 16, and the accused is no more than 5 years older than the victim but is 17 years or older.

Criminal sexual abuse may be a felony or misdemeanor, and you may be required to register as a sex offender afterwards.

While these cases carry significant stigma, they’re not always cut and dry. With the popularity of online dating apps like Tinder and OkCupid, people are able to meet others outside of traditional venues like bars. In these instances, people may misrepresent their age, leading to serious criminal consequences and even prosecution for statutory rape.

Don’t Wait To Seek Our Help

The true sentence for someone convicted of a sex offense isn’t only the prison sentence but the lifetime of shame and struggle afterward. We understand the harsh future you face if you are convicted of this crime. Our founding attorneys spent decades working in law enforcement and prosecuting cases in criminal court in DuPage, Cook, Kane, DeKalb, Kendall and Will Counties. Allow us to use that experience for your benefit.

Contact our lawyers to begin constructing your defense. We answer our phones day or night, so you can feel confident we are committed to the best outcome for your situation. Call 630-782-2000 or use our online form to schedule a free case evaluation at our Elmhurst office.