Dayton Sexual Assault/Battery Lawyer

Have you recently been arrested for sexual assault or battery in Dayton, OH?

Contact our law offices at Suhre & Associates, LLC for immediate assistance with your defense.

Our Dayton sexual assault and battery lawyers can help you fight to minimize the potential consequences of your arrest and work hard to safeguard your future.

Your first consultation is free, so give our law office a call to schedule yours today at (937) 531-0435.

How Our Dayton Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help You Fight Charges for Sexual Assault and Battery

Allegations of sexual assault and/or sexual battery are serious. Your future is very much at stake. So, it is important to defend yourself aggressively at every turn. The experienced Dayton criminal defense attorney from Suhre & Associates, LLC, can help. 

Our criminal defense law firm is known for being a fierce advocate for the people of Dayton. When you find yourself accused of a serious crime, we’ll be ready to help you stand up and work to protect your future. 

Among other things, we will:

  • Conduct an independent investigation into your alleged offense
  • Provide you with sound legal advice throughout your case
  • Work tirelessly to secure a reasonable bond on your behalf
  • Consult with experts about the nuances of your sex crime case
  • Answer any questions you might have about the justice process
  • Search for evidence that may convince a judge to dismiss your case
  • Develop an effective defense strategy for your sexual assault case
  • Work out a plea bargain deal with the prosecuting attorney
  • Argue on your behalf at trial, if necessary

Are you ready to have a skilled Dayton sex crimes attorney from Suhre & Associates, LLC, help you fight back against the accusations of the state of Ohio? Then please reach out to us today to arrange a free consultation at our law offices in Dayton. We know how to achieve favorable outcomes in cases like yours, and we are ready to work tirelessly on your behalf.

Understanding Ohio’s Sexual Assault Laws

The Ohio Revised Code features several statutes that make it unlawful for Dayton residents to take part in sexual activity without the consent of the recipient, such as:

Rape

Under section 2907.02 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is illegal for an individual to engage in sexual conduct with another person when:

  • They impair the other person’s judgment by forcibly or deceptively administering a drug or intoxicant
  • The other person is younger than 13 years of age
  • The other person’s advanced age or mental condition impairs their ability to consent

This statute also explains that it is unlawful for an individual to compel the other person to engage in sexual conduct using force or threats of force.

The term “sexual conduct” covers the following acts:

  • Cunnilingus
  • Fellatio
  • Vaginal intercourse
  • Anal intercourse
  • Penetration with a foreign object

Individuals who violate this criminal statute are guilty of rape.

This crime is a felony of the first degree in the state of Ohio.

Sexual Battery

Under 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 using any means that prevents resistance
  • They know the other person’s ability to control their conduct is substantially impaired
  • They know the other person is accepting their actions because they are unaware that they are occurring
  • They know the other person is submitting because they think they are their spouse
  • They are the other person’s parent, guardian, or custodian
  • They are a teacher, coach, or administrator, and the other person goes to their school
  • They are a mental health professional, and the other person is their patient
  • They are an employee of a jail or prison, and the other person is an inmate in their facility
  • They are a cleric, and the other person is a minor
  • They are a peace officer, and the other person is a minor who is two years younger than them

Dayton residents who violate this law are guilty of sexual battery.

The state of Ohio generally punishes this crime as a felony of the second or third degree.

Sexual Imposition

Under section 2907.06 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is illegal for an individual to have sexual contact with another person when:

  • They know that the sexual contact is offensive to the other person
  • They know that the other person’s ability to appraise the situation is substantially impaired
  • They know that the other person is accepting the sexual contact because they are unaware that it is occurring
  • They are at least 18 years old, and the other person is between the ages of 13 and 16 – and is at least four years their junior
  • They are a mental health professional, and the other person is their patient

The state of Ohio defines “sexual contact” as the touching of:

  • The genitals
  • The breasts
  • The pubic region
  • The thighs
  • The buttocks

Ohioans who break this law are guilty of sexual imposition, an offense that courts can classify as a misdemeanor of the first, second, or third degree.

Do you need an experienced sex crime defense lawyer to help you battle back against rape or sexual battery charges? Then please call the Suhre & Associates, LLC, legal team at your earliest convenience. We may be able to use our knowledge of Ohio law to help you get your case dismissed.

Consequences of Sexual Assault and Battery Convictions in Ohio

When courts in Ohio convict Dayton residents of sexual battery, they give them some severe punishments – the precise nature of which depends on the seriousness of their offense:

  • Felonies of the First Degree: Up to 11 years in state prison and a fine of up to $20,000.
  • Felonies of the Second Degree: Up to eight years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
  • Felonies of the Third Degree: Up to 60 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
  • Felonies of the Fourth Degree: Up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
  • Felonies of the Fifth Degree: Up to one year in state prison and a fine of up to $2,500.
  • Misdemeanors of the First Degree: Up to 180 days in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
  • Misdemeanors of the Second Degree: Up to 90 days in county jail and a fine of up to $750.
  • Misdemeanors of the Third Degree: Up to 60 days in county jail and a fine of up to $500.

Ohio judges can increase the maximum prison sentence for felonies of the first and second degree by as much as 50 percent.

Of course, Ohioans who commit sexual assault don’t just spend time in jail or prison and have to pay a hefty fine. They also get a criminal record that can cause them to experience collateral consequences like:

  • Immigration Problems: The federal government often deports non-citizen felons when they get out of prison.
  • Trouble Finding Housing: Property managers in Dayton generally prefer to avoid renting homes to convicted felons.
  • Difficulty Landing a Job: Many businesses in Dayton have policies against hiring people with criminal records.
  • Loss of Gun Ownership Rights: The state of Ohio does not permit convicted felons to buy, carry, or use guns
  • Challenges Getting Student Loans: The federal government makes it quite challenging for people with felony convictions to obtain student loans.

In addition to having a permanent criminal record, a person who commits sexual battery in Ohio must also register as a sex offender. Depending on the seriousness of their crime, the court may force them to register for 15 years, 25 years, or the rest of their life.

People on the Ohio sex offender registry must adhere to restrictions like:

  • Not being allowed to work with children
  • Not being allowed to live close to schools
  • Having their computer use monitored at all times
  • Not being allowed to speak with minors without prior consent
  • Not being allowed to drink alcoholic beverages

Do you need an experienced sex crimes defense lawyer to help you battle to avoid the negative consequences of an Ohio sexual battery conviction? Then please do not hesitate to contact Suhre & Associates, LLC. Our team has been handling cases like yours for many years, and we would be more than happy to provide you with the assistance you require.

Defenses Against Ohio Sexual Battery Charges

Sexual battery charges do not have to become sexual battery convictions. An arrestee and their skilled criminal defense attorney can frequently get their case dismissed by:

  • Arguing that the prosecutor does not have enough evidence to prove their guilt
  • Claiming that the other person consented to the sexual activity
  • Proving that they were elsewhere when the offense occurred

The skilled lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC, have been defending the residents of Dayton against sex crimes charges for years. It is one of our firm’s primary practice areas. We also handle all sex crimes matters including child molestation, child pornography, internet sex crimes, prostitution, statutory rape, and more. If you would like to have our team help you develop an effective defense strategy, please give us a call today.

A Dayton Sexual Assault/Battery Lawyer You Can Count On

When you need a Dayton sexual assault and battery lawyer to help you battle back against the allegations of the state of Ohio, you can always count on Suhre & Associates, LLC. We have handled many cases like yours over the years – securing a plethora of favorable verdicts along the way. Reach out to us today to learn more about our legal services.