Have you recently been arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual conduct with a juvenile in Dayton, Ohio?
If so, it’s important to act quickly and make it as challenging as possible for the prosecution to convict you and send you to prison.
You can begin your legal battle by reaching out to an experienced Dayton statutory rape lawyer from Suhre & Associates, LLC.
Your first consultation with our renowned Ohio law firm is free contact us at (937) 531-0435.
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How Suhre & Associates, LLC, Can Help When You’re Up Against Statutory Rape Charges in Dayton, OH
Enlisting the services of a seasoned Dayton criminal defense lawyer from Suhre & Associates, LLC, is a smart way to safeguard your freedom when facing statutory rape charges in the state of Ohio.
When you hire our team to defend you, expect that we will:
- Fighting to try to bond you out of police custody
- Helping you understand how the Ohio criminal justice system works
- Launching an investigation into the events leading to your arrest
- Talking to experts about the details of your statutory rape case
- Offering you astute legal advice and guidance as needed
- Communicating with the prosecuting attorney on your behalf
- Looking for evidence that might sway the case in your favor
- Putting together a customized defense strategy for your case
- Negotiating a plea agreement with the state’s prosecutor
- Presenting evidence and arguing on your behalf in court, if required
Would you like to have a skilled Dayton sex crimes attorney from Suhre & Associates, LLC, help you fight back against your statutory rape charges? Then please give us a call today to set up an initial consultation at our law offices in Dayton, OH. We understand how to win cases like yours, and we are ready to go to battle for you.
Statutory Rape and the Age of Consent in Ohio
First, it’s important to understand that statutory rape is a unique offense because it can arise out of a situation where both parties are seemingly on the same page about being intimate. Statutory rape is a crime because one (or more) of the parties cannot legally consent to engage in sexual conduct.
Why? Because they’re under the legal age of consent. In Ohio, the legal age of consent is 16.
So, it is possible to face criminal charges for having sex with someone who verbalized interest in being intimate – if they are under the age of 16.
In Ohio, it’s also possible to face a wide range of other criminal charges for engaging in sexual activity with minors.
An Overview of Ohio’s Laws For Sexual Conduct Involving Minors
The state of Ohio has a range of laws on its books that forbid people from engaging in sexual activity with minors, such as:
Rape
According to section 2907.02 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is illegal for an individual to engage in sexual conduct with a person who is younger than 13 years old – even if the offender is unaware of their age.
The following acts constitute “sexual conduct” in the state of Ohio:
- Fellatio
- Cunnilingus
- Sexual intercourse (vaginal or anal)
- Penetration with a foreign object
Individuals who violate this Ohio law are guilty of rape.
This sex offense is a felony of the first degree.
Sexual Battery
According to section 2907.03 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is illegal for an individual to engage in sexual conduct with a person when:
- They are the person’s parent, guardian, or custodian
- They are a teacher, and the other person is a minor that goes to their school
- They are a sports coach, and the other person is a child over whom they have authority
- They are a peace officer, and the other person is a minor that is more than two years younger than them
Ohioans who break this law are guilty of sexual battery – otherwise known as sexual assault.
Courts generally classify offenses of this nature as felonies of the second or third degree.
Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor
According to section 2907.04 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is illegal for an individual who is older than 18 years of age to engage in sexual conduct with a person who is between the ages of 13 and 16.
Individuals who violate this statute are guilty of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Depending on the age gap between the two parties, the state of Ohio can classify this offense as a:
- Misdemeanor of the first degree
- Felony of the fourth degree
- Felony of the third degree, or
- Felony of the second degree
Generally speaking, the wider the age gap is, the more severely courts in Ohio tend to punish the offender.
Sexual Imposition
According to section 2907.06 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is illegal for an individual who is older than 18 years of age to have sexual contact with a person who is between the ages of 13 and 16 – even if the offender is unaware of their age.
Ohio law defines “sexual contact” as the touching of one or more of the following erogenous zones:
- The thighs
- The buttocks
- The genitals
- The breasts
- The pubic region
Dayton residents who violate this law are guilty of sexual imposition.
This offense is almost always punishable as a misdemeanor of the first, second, or third degree.
Gross Sexual Imposition
According to section 2907.05 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is illegal for an individual to have sexual contact with a person who is younger than 13 years old – even if the offender is unaware of their age.
This statute also explains that it is unlawful for an individual to knowingly touch the genitalia of a person who is younger than 12 years old with the intent to humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse any party.
When law enforcement officers catch Ohioans violating this law, they can charge them with gross sexual imposition.
Courts in the Buckeye State almost always classify this crime as a felony of the third or fourth degree.
Do you need a Dayton sex crimes defense lawyer to help you battle back against a rape or sexual battery charge? Then please contact the team at Suhre & Associates, LLC, today. We have been working on criminal cases like yours for years, and we would be happy to use our experience to fight for you.
Consequences of Statutory Rape Convictions in the State of Ohio
Dayton residents who commit statutory rape face three distinct types of consequences. They are:
Criminal Penalties
When deciding how to punish people who engage in sexual activity with minors, judges in Ohio refer to the following sentencing guidelines:
- Misdemeanors of the Third Degree: A fine of as much as $500 and up to 60 days in county jail.
- Misdemeanors of the Second Degree: A fine of as much as $750 and up to 90 days in county jail.
- Misdemeanors of the First Degree: A fine of as much as $1,000 and up to 180 days in county jail.
- Felonies of the Fifth Degree: A fine of as much as $2,500 and up to one year in state prison.
- Felonies of the Fourth Degree: A fine of as much as $5,000 and up to 18 months in state prison.
- Felonies of the Third Degree: A fine of as much as $10,000 and up to 60 months in state prison.
- Felonies of the Second Degree: A fine of as much as $15,000 and up to eight years in state prison.
- Felonies of the First Degree: A fine of as much as $20,000 and up to 11 years in state prison.
Judges in the state of Ohio have the authority to increase the maximum prison sentences for felonies of the first and second degree by up to 50 percent.
Collateral Consequences
When handing out fines and prison sentences to individuals convicted of statutory rape, courts in Ohio also dole out permanent criminal records.
People with criminal records in the Buckeye State frequently experience a range of collateral consequences, like:
- Difficulty landing a job
- Trouble finding a suitable place to live
- Immigration problems
- Loss of gun ownership rights
- Trouble obtaining student loans
Offenders usually continue to endure these consequences for the rest of their lives – unless they can persuade a judge to seal their record.
Sex Offender Registration
When Ohio courts convict people of sex crimes, like statutory rape or the possession of child pornography, they require that the defendant register as a sexual offender. In doing so, they place the convict into one of three tiers that will determine the amount of time they must remain on the state registry:
- Tier III: Offenders must register for the remainder of their lives.
- Tier II: Offenders must register for 25 years.
- Tier I: Offenders must register for 15 years.
While they remain on the sex offender registry, convicts must follow rules and restrictions such as:
- Not being allowed to live near schools
- Not being allowed to consume alcohol
- Having their computer usage monitored
- Not being allowed to speak with minors without prior consent
- Not being allowed to work with kids or vulnerable adults
Would you like to have our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys help you battle back against your sex crime charges so that you may avoid the negative consequences of a conviction? Then please contact us today to arrange a free consultation at our Dayton law offices. We know what it takes to win cases like yours, and we are ready to work tirelessly on your behalf.
Defenses Against Statutory Rape Charges in Ohio
Being charged with a sex crime like statutory rape can be a frightening experience. However, Ohioans can often get their cases dismissed by:
- Claiming that the prosecution does not have enough evidence to prove their guilt
- Proving that they were in another location at the time the offense occurred
- Arguing that the police or the prosecuting attorney violated their rights during the case
- Proving that the alleged victim lied about their age
Over the years, Suhre & Associates, LLC, has helped countless Dayton residents fight back against their statutory rape charges – securing many dismissals and not guilty verdicts along the way. If you would like to have us devise an effective defense strategy for you, please give us a call today.
Your Experienced Dayton Statutory Rape Lawyer
When you need a knowledgeable Dayton statutory rape lawyer to defend you against the allegations of the state of Ohio, there is only one firm you need to call at (937) 531-0435 – Suhre & Associates, LLC. Our team has the legal skills and industry experience required to handle even the most complex cases. Contact our law office us today to begin your defense or learn more about our services.
Visit our Law Office
Suhre & Associates, LLC
130 W 2nd St #310
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 531-0435
