Your college years are meant to be spent finding yourself, obtaining a higher education, and having the time of your life. However, when you are investigated and charged with committing a sex offense, not only could you be facing criminal penalties, but you could also be kicked out of your dorm or even face expulsion. With so much on the line, you are going to need a reputable Newark college sex crimes lawyer to help you dodge a conviction.
Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt has a 99% client satisfaction rating and over 30 years of jury trial experience. When you need a high-powered Newark sex crimes lawyer to help you navigate the criminal justice system, our skills and resources are unmatched. Contact our law office to schedule a confidential consultation today and discuss the charges against you and your history with the alleged victim, and begin to craft a compelling defense strategy.
College Sex Crimes Our Newark Lawyers Represent
Whether you are a college student, professor, or staff member at any of the local colleges or universities, if you are accused of a sex crime, your reputation is likely to be destroyed. The exact criminal penalties you could face depend on a number of factors, including your criminal history, the nature of the crime, and the type of offense you are accused of committing.
Your Newark criminal defense lawyer with Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt is prepared to defend against a wide array of charges, such as:
Hazing
As described under Ohio’s Anti-Hazing Law, per Ohio Revised Code Section 2903.31, the extent of your hazing charges depends on your relationship with the alleged victim. Generally, it can be tried as a third-degree felony. If convicted, you could be fined up to $10,000 or spend up to five years in prison.
However, if the perpetrator is a teacher, alumnus, employee, or faculty member of a public or private educational institution, first-, second- or fourth-degree misdemeanor or third-degree felony charges may apply. This shows that even permitting the hazing of another could result in criminal charges. If convicted of hazing while acting in a professional capacity, you may be terminated by the educational institution in question.
Rape
Rape is another one of the most common types of criminal offenses you could be accused of committing on a college campus. There are multiple types of rape offenses you could be accused of committing. For instance, if you are accused of forcing yourself on someone else with the use of threats or a deadly weapon, you could spend between three and 11 years in prison. However, you could be facing life imprisonment if you carry a sexually violent predator (SVP) designation as described under Ohio Revised Code Section 2941.148.
Per the Ohio rape penalty sentencing guidelines, you could also spend up to 11 years in prison if you are accused of date rape. This involves raping someone by administering a drug or intoxicant to incapacitate the alleged victim. Again, with an SVP designation, your 11-year sentence could quickly become a life sentence.
Indecent Exposure
The statute for indecent exposure can be found under Ohio Revised Code Section 2907.09. Several factors can determine the level of the charges you face. For instance, if this is your first time being accused of indecent exposure, you could be charged with a fourth-degree misdemeanor, punishable by fines up to $250 and up to 30 days in jail.
However, if you have a prior conviction for indecent exposure on your record, expect your charges to be bumped up to a fifth-degree felony. If convicted, you could pay up to $2,500 in fines and spend up to 12 months in jail. These penalties could increase if any aggravating factors are present, such as the use of a deadly weapon, a minor child being involved, or the threat or use of force.
Revenge Porn
The statute for revenge porn is found under Ohio Revised Code Section 2917.211 and is more formally known as the unlawful dissemination of intimate images. You can face these charges if you are accused of posting or sharing sexually explicit images or videos of someone else without their permission. First-time offenders can expect to spend up to $500 in fines and up to 60 days in jail.
However, habitual offenders could pay fines of up to $1,000 and spend up to 180 days in jail. Additionally, if the images in question depicted someone under the age of 18 engaging in sexual activity or conduct, and you shared or posted these images, you could be facing far more serious charges. It is more common than you might think for revenge porn charges to be increased to child pornography charges under Ohio Revised Code Section 2945.63.
For a free legal consultation with a college lawyer serving Newark, call 614-884-1100
How to Choose the Right College Sex Crimes Lawyer in Newark
Choosing the right Newark college sex crimes attorney to take on your case should be one of your top priorities, especially when you are facing charges that are this serious. While you have the right to counsel and may have a public defender assigned to you, hiring a private attorney may be the better move when you are charged with such severe allegations. Here are some of the factors you should look into when deciding which college sex crimes law firm should take on your case:
- Whether the law firm communicates regularly.
- Whether you feel confident in your legal representative.
- Whether the law firm has experience handling cases similar to yours.
- The law firm has investigative and research skills.
- Whether the law firm is familiar with local prosecutors, judges, and legal statutes.
Ultimately, it is up to you to choose the best legal advocate for your case. When choosing a defense attorney from Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt, you can have access to the support and resources you need to protect your reputation and potentially avoid the fallout of a conviction. We can further discuss our anticipated approach to your case during your initial defense strategy session.
Newark College Lawyer Near Me 614-884-1100
Consult a College Sex Crimes Attorney in Newark for Help Today
Being accused of committing a sex offense in college can destroy your reputation, compromise your education, and adversely impact your ability to make something of your life. Do not let these allegations ruin your future. Work with a top-rated college sex crimes lawyer in Newark from Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt and start rebuilding your life.
We will start by conducting a comprehensive investigation into the charges against you and reviewing the state’s evidence. This will give us better insight into how to best approach your defense strategy. Fill out our secured contact form or call our office to schedule your confidential consultation as soon as today.
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