New York City Sex Crimes Attorneys

Fighting Against NYC Sex Crime Allegations

Countless individuals have been wrongfully charged with sex crimes. If you have been accused of a sex crime, seeking immediate counsel from a qualified NYC sex crimes attorney could help you to clear your name and move on with your life. At Cohen Forman Barone, PC, we have the criminal defense strategy that you need.

Our New York City sex crimes defense attorneys will not stop fighting until the case is resolved in the most favorable way for you. For over 35 years, we have been helping individuals escape the harmful allegations and life-altering charges that are associated with sex crime charges.

At our law firm, we care about you and will fight to get the best possible results in your legal case. Don’t wait a moment longer. Call to discuss your defense strategy with our experienced New York City sex crime lawyers.

What Are Some Common Sex Crimes in New York?

There are a variety of sex crimes for which people are accused. Each type of sex crime has different consequences. Our attorneys are experienced in handling successful defense cases for all kinds of sex crime allegations.

Common sex crime charges our NYC sex crime attorneys can help defend against include:

Sexual Assault: Non-consensual sexual contact (touching)
Sexual Abuse: A range of offenses involving sexual contact with a victim, often a minor, but can include adults. Severity varies
Sexual battery: Sexual battery occurs when someone engages in sexual contact without the other person’s permission. Consent cannot be given under force, threats, or if the victim is mentally incapable
Sexual imposition: In New York, sexual imposition falls under the category of sexual misconduct. It refers to unwanted sexual contact that is less severe than sexual abuse or rape
Rape: Forced sexual intercourse through physical force or threats (including using drugs)
- Rape in the Third Degree: This is the least severe classification of rape and occurs when someone engages in sexual intercourse with another person who is:
  - Incapable of consent due to a factor other than being under 17
  - Less than 17 years old and the perpetrator is 18 years old or more
- Rape in the Second Degree: This is a more serious offense and applies when someone engages in sexual intercourse with another person who is:
  - Physically helpless
  - Incapacitated due to intoxication or a mental disability
  - Less than four years older than the victim (applies to specific situations)
- Rape in the First Degree: This is the most serious classification of rape and applies when someone engages in sexual intercourse with another person by:
  - Forcible compulsion (using force or threats)
  - Who is physically helpless
  - Who is less than 11 years old
  - Who is less than 13 years old, and the perpetrator is 18 years old or more
- Statutory Rape: Sex with a minor who cannot legally consent (age varies by state)
Child pornography: Involves the creation, distribution, possession, or viewing of explicit images or videos involving minors engaged in sexual acts
Prostitution: A person engaging in, agreeing to engage in, or offering to engage in sexual conduct with another person in return for a fee
Public indecency: Public indecency is a legal term that covers any act that exposes private body parts or sexual conduct in a public place and is deemed offensive by the community
Child Sexual Abuse: Any sexual act between an adult and a child (or minors with a significant age difference)
Indecent Exposure: Exposing private parts in public
Sexual Misconduct: Lesser offenses than assault, can include groping or unwanted touching
Forcible Touching: Intentional, non-consensual sexual contact

What Are Sex Crime Penalties in NY?

Sex crimes in New York are treated very seriously and can result in significant penalties. Also, please keep in mind that a sex crime can impact you beyond the legal penalties. When the jail time is over and fines have been paid, you will have to live a life with a record as a sex offender, which can impact your relationships, where you live, and what work you can do.

Severity of Penalties

Penalties vary depending on the specific crime, whether a minor is involved, and the offender’s criminal history. They can range from misdemeanors with jail time up to a year to felonies with mandatory minimum sentences of many years, or even life in prison. If your case is severe and includes various aggravating factors, you may face felony charges. Misdemeanors are minor crimes but still come with some hefty penalties.

Felony vs. Misdemeanor Sex Offenses

Sex crimes are typically charged as either felonies or misdemeanors. Felonies are more serious offenses with harsher punishments, while misdemeanors carry jail time of less than a year and often probation. Speaking with a sexual assault defense lawyer like those at our law firm can help you understand your charges and know what to expect in your sex crime case.

Examples of Felony Sex Crimes

Felony sex crimes can result in years in prison and hefty fines and include the following:

Rape
Predatory sexual assault against a child
Course of sexual conduct against a child
Aggravated sexual abuse

If you’re being charged with a felony sex charge, please seek help from a sexual assault lawyer immediately to avoid maximum sentencing. Call Cohen Forman Barone, PC today.

What Are New York‘s Sex Offender Registration Requirements?

New York Sex Offender Registration requirements are determined by two main factors: the severity of the offense and any additional designations assigned to the offender. Here’s a breakdown:

Registration Length

One of the most critical questions people ask us is regarding how long they’ll need to stay on the sex offender registry. The number of years depends on the nature of the crime, as follows:

Level 1 (Low Risk): 20 years, unless classified as a sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predatory sex offender (then lifetime)
Level 2 (Moderate Risk) & Level 3 (High Risk): Lifetime registration

Who Registers

Anyone convicted of a qualifying sex offense in New York must register, even if the offense occurred in another state. The NY Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains the registry. To get the best chance of defeating your charges and avoiding sex offender registration, contact our New York City sexual abuse lawyers immediately.

Information Required

If you’re convicted of sexual assault charges, you’ll need to provide the following information as a registered sex offender:

Identifying information (name, aliases, DOB, address)
Physical description (height, weight, eye color)
Offense details (conviction details, description of the crime)
Internet identifiers (screen names, email addresses)
Employment and education information

Reporting Requirements

All offenders must report annually:

Current address
Internet service providers
Internet screen names & email addresses

Level 2 & 3 offenders additionally:

Verify address every 90 days
Provide employer address (if applicable)

Our legal team can help you avoid a conviction that might lead to sex offender registration. If you are convicted, we can help ensure you comply with legal requirements to avoid further legal issues.

What Are Some Potential Defenses to Sex Crime Charges in New York?

In New York, facing sex crime charges can be a frightening experience. There are, however, potential defenses available depending on the specific circumstances of your case.

Some common defenses include:

Consent: This is a crucial defense for many sex crimes. In NY, a valid defense is that the alleged victim freely and knowingly consented to the sexual act. However, consent cannot be a defense if the victim is a minor or incapable of consenting due to intoxication, mental disability, or other factors
Lack of Evidence: The prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Your lawyer can challenge the evidence presented, including witness testimonies, physical evidence, or potential inconsistencies in the accuser’s story
False Accusation: Unfortunately, false accusations do occur. Your lawyer can explore potential motives behind a false accusation and identify any inconsistencies that may support your case
Mistaken Identity: This defense is applicable if you can establish that you were not present at the crime scene. Alibi witnesses, video surveillance footage, or other documentation can be helpful evidence
Entrapment: This defense is complex but can apply if law enforcement induced you to commit a crime you wouldn’t have otherwise
Mental Incapacity: If you can demonstrate you lacked the mental capacity to understand the nature of your actions at the time of the alleged crime, it could be a defense. This is a challenging defense to establish and typically requires expert testimony
Statute of Limitations: There are time limits for prosecuting certain crimes. If too much time has passed since the alleged incident, the charges may be dismissed

When a person is convicted of any of these crimes, the punishment is usually very severe. Incarceration is part of the potential consequences, as is mandatory reporting. Our goal is to help you avoid these severe consequences. Since you are innocent until proven guilty, you have the right to defend yourself. For the best possible outcome, having an aggressive advocate on your side is essential.

Why Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer in My Sex Crime Charge?

One of the primary reasons to hire a lawyer when facing criminal charges for sexual acts is the severity of the punishment if convicted. Not only will you spend time in jail or even prison, but you’ll have years and up to a lifetime on the sex offender registry. This can impact whether employers hire you or landlords let you live on their property. You may also suffer damaged family relationships and lose custody of your children.

Another reason you need a sexual abuse lawyer is because of the complex legal process. Sexual assault crimes are not taken lightly in New York, and you have a huge task before you to convince the judge or jury that you do not deserve maximum sentencing. You can give yourself a huge advantage and find emotional support when hiring criminal defense lawyers at our law office.

At Cohen Forman Barone, PC, we have decades of experience providing legal counsel and representation to individuals facing many criminal charges, including child sex crimes, alleged sexual assault, sex abuse, sexual harassment, indecent exposure, prostitution, and more. We promise to leverage our experience and talent to get you the best possible results as we pursue justice in your favor.

Should You Hire Our New York City Sex Crimes Attorneys?

Our New York City sex crimes defense lawyers at Cohen Forman Barone, PC, will work tirelessly to ensure your case is thoroughly prepared. We pride ourselves on formulating the greatest possible defense for each client. With a reputation for winning in New York courtrooms, you can count on top-tier representation from attorneys who have your best interests in mind.

The prosecution is probably already forming a case against you, so you don’t have a moment to lose. Call today to take advantage of our skills and experience in the criminal justice system.