Dayton Child Molestation Lawyer

Are you currently facing child molestation charges in Dayton, OH? It’s important to act quickly and decisively to make it as challenging as possible for the prosecution to convict you and send you to prison.

You can start by reaching out to a knowledgeable Dayton child molestation lawyer from Suhre & Associates, LLC. Your first consultation with our criminal defense team is free, so contact us today at (937) 531-0435.

How Suhre & Associates, LLC, Can Help You Fight Child Molestation Charges in Dayton, OH

How Suhre & Associates, LLC, Can Help You Fight Child Molestation Charges in Dayton, OH

Working with a seasoned Dayton sex crimes attorney from Suhre & Associates, LLC, is an excellent way to protect your freedom when facing a child molestation charge in Ohio. When you turn to us for help with this serious criminal matter, you can rest assured that we will put the full force and weight of our law firm behind your case.

Among other things, we will:

  • Conducting an investigation into the events that led to your arrest
  • Providing you with sound legal advice and guidance as necessary
  • Fighting to secure your release from police custody
  • Looking for exculpatory evidence on your behalf
  • Speaking with the prosecuting attorney for you
  • Talking to relevant experts about the details of your sex crime case
  • Offering you straightforward answers to your legal questions
  • Providing you with an overview of the Ohio criminal justice system
  • Protecting your rights as a United States citizen or resident
  • Developing a customized legal strategy for your sex crimes case
  • Working out a plea agreement with the prosecuting attorney
  • Arguing on your behalf in court, if required

Do you want to have our Dayton law firm defend you against your child molestation charges? If so, please get in touch with us today to set up an initial consultation with a member of our experienced team. Our defense attorneys know how to win cases like yours, and we are more than ready to fight for you.

An Overview of Ohio’s Laws Against Child Molestation

Child molestation occurs when people engage in abusive sexual behavior toward minors. The state of Ohio has several laws on its books that make this type of conduct illegal, such as:

Rape

Per section 2907.02 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is illegal for an individual to engage in sexual conduct with a person who is less than 13 years old – whether they know the person’s age or not.

In the state of Ohio, the term “sexual conduct” means:

  • Vaginal intercourse
  • Anal intercourse
  • Fellatio
  • Cunnilingus
  • Object insertion

When law enforcement officers catch Daytonans breaking this statute, they can charge them with rape – a felony of the first degree.

Sexual Assault

Per section 2907.03 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is illegal for an individual to engage in sexual conduct with another person when:

  • They knowingly coerce the other person to submit by preventing resistance
  • They know that the other person’s ability to assess their situation is substantially impaired
  • They know that the other person is accepting their actions because they are not aware that they are happening
  • They know that the other person is willing to submit because they think they are their spouse
  • They are the other person’s parent or guardian
  • They are a teacher or administrator, and the other person attends their school
  • They are a coach, and they have authority over the other person
  • They are a mental health professional, and the other person is their client
  • They work at a detention facility, and the other person is an inmate there
  • They are a cleric, and the other person is a minor that goes to their church
  • They are a peace officer, and the other person is a minor who is at least four years younger than them

When Ohioans violate this law, police officers may arrest them and charge them with sexual assault (or sexual battery).

Ohio courts typically classify criminal offenses of this nature as felonies of the second or third degree.

Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor

Certain sections of the Ohio Revised Code focus on the age of the parties involved in sexual conduct. Section 2907.04 explains that it’s a crime for someone who is 18 or older to engage in sexual conduct with someone who is between the ages of 13 and 16. 

Individuals who violate this law are guilty of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

When the age gap between the offender and their victim is less than four years, Ohio courts consider this crime a misdemeanor of the first degree. 

If there are more than ten years between the involved parties, this crime is a felony of the third degree.

The experienced criminal defense lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC, are well versed in all aspects of Ohio’s sex crime laws. It is one of our primary practice areas. So, if you are facing rape or sexual battery charges, please contact us today to discuss your legal options.

Consequences of Ohio Child Molestation Convictions

People who molest children in the state of Ohio face three different types of consequences to their actions. They are:

  • Criminal penalties
  • Collateral consequences
  • Sex offender registration

These can all have a tremendous impact on a defendant’s life – now and for years down the line.

Criminal Penalties

To determine the criminal penalties child molesters should face, judges in Ohio refer to the following sentencing guidelines:

  • Felonies of the First Degree: A prison sentence of up to 11 years and a fine of up to $20,000
  • Felonies of the Second Degree: A prison sentence of up to eight years and a fine up to $15,000
  • Felonies of the Third Degree: A prison sentence of up to 60 months and a fine of up to $10,000
  • Felonies of the Fourth Degree: A prison sentence of up to 18 months and a fine of up to $5,000
  • Felonies of the Fifth Degree: A prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $2,500
  • Misdemeanors of the First Degree: A jail sentence of up to 180 days and a fine of up to $1,000

Under Ohio law, judges can increase the prison sentences for individuals convicted of felonies of the first and second degree by 50 percent.

Collateral Consequences

The criminal record that Dayton residents receive when courts convict them of child molestation can cause them to endure a myriad of collateral consequences, like:

  • Housing Issues: Landlords in Dayton, Ohio, usually prefer to avoid renting homes to people with criminal records.
  • Immigration Problems: Federal authorities frequently deport non-citizen felons after they serve their prison sentences.
  • Employment Difficulties: Businesses in Montgomery County often reject job applications from convicted felons.
  • Professional Licensing Issues: People with criminal records can have trouble getting their professional licenses renewed.
  • Student Loan Difficulties: The federal government does not usually provide student loans to felons.
  • Restraining Orders: You might be served with a restraining order if you are convicted on child molestation charges in Ohio, which can impact your ability to travel, work, and simply live your life.

Criminal records are almost always permanent in Ohio. As such, offenders usually endure these collateral consequences for the rest of their lives.

Sex Offender Registration

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 explains that people who commit child molestation in Montgomery County, or anywhere else in the United States, must register as sex offenders.

The state of Ohio categorizes its sexual offenders into three tiers. The tier a convict belongs to determines the amount of time they must stay on the state register:

  • Tier I: Must remain on the sex offender registry for 15 years
  • Tier II: Must remain on the sex offender registry for 25 years
  • Tier III: Must remain on the sex offender registry for life

Ohio sex offenders must adhere to rules and restrictions like:

  • Not being allowed to live in the vicinity of a school
  • Not having permission to work with children
  • Not being allowed to buy, own, or use guns
  • Having to submit to random drug and alcohol tests
  • Having law enforcement monitor their internet use
  • Not being allowed to speak to minors without prior consent

Failure to register as a sex offender is, in and of itself, a serious crime in Ohio.

Do you need a skilled criminal defense attorney to help you battle to avoid spending years in prison and on the sex offender registry? Then please do not hesitate to reach out to the team at Suhre & Associates, LLC. We have years of experience in the industry, and we are ready to fight for you.

Defenses Against Child Molestation Charges in the State of Ohio

An effective defense strategy can prevent a child molestation charge from becoming a conviction. Over the years, our law firm has helped clients get their cases dismissed by:

  • Proving that they were elsewhere when the crime occurred
  • Arguing that the state does not have enough evidence to convict
  • Claiming that the police violated their constitutional rights
  • Proving that the victim lied about their age

Do you need to seek legal advice from an experienced attorney at law? If so, please call the team at Suhre & Associates, LLC, today. We are always happy to assist our friends and neighbors in Dayton.

Your Trusted Dayton Child Molestation Lawyer

If you need a knowledgeable Dayton child molestation lawyer to assist you with your legal issues, there is only one place you need to call – Suhre & Associates, LLC. Our team has the skills and experience required to give you the help you need. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services or discuss your case with one of our skilled legal professionals.