Maryland Rape Sex Crime

Rape is viewed as a heinous act by society, and an individual charged with this crime faces an uphill battle to have the charges against them dismissed and their reputation restored. If you have been charged with rape, even if you are falsely accused, you must not delay in seeking out legal representation. A rape conviction can carry heavy fines and jail time, but it's the social stigma that accompanies such a charge that is often the worst part. Individuals convicted of rape will often be required to register as sex offenders, a designation that can complicate work, living arrangements and family relations. We can help if you have been charged with:

• First Degree Rape
  This involves forcing someone to engage in sexual intercourse or other sexual acts against their will by using physical force or making threats. Having sexual relations with an individual who was not able to give legal consent is also classified as first degree rape.

• Date Rape
  In this case, the individual making the rape accusation voluntarily agreed to meet with the accused, but did not agree to the sexual contact that occurred during the social engagement.

• Statutory Rape
  In this case, the accused had sexual relations with somebody who was younger than the legal age of consent. In many cases, both individuals willingly consented to any sexual acts that took place. Even so, charges can still be made by the underage person's parents or the state.

Defending Rape Cases

Establishing a solid defense for individuals who have been accused of rape can be very challenging for several reasons. First, it's likely that there are no witnesses since this type of crime often involves only two individuals. Second, if the accuser consented to the sexual acts and later made a rape accusation, it's likely that physical DNA evidence will be present, which can be very damaging to the defense's case. Last, the legal system will often take the accuser's word over that of the accused. Experienced defense attorneys, however, will do everything in their power to establish a strong case. This can include interviewing defense witnesses who may be able to serve as an alibi or who can help with the case in some other way and interviewing prosecution witnesses. A well prepared defense can lead to a less harsh prison sentence, a less serious charge or even a dismissal in some cases. Contact Meng & Alpert at 866-444-6363 for a free evaluation to find out how our services can benefit you during this very trying time.

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From our offices in Maryland, our Bethesda sex crime defense, sexual assault, and rape defense lawyers handle cases throughout the entire state of Maryland, including Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, including the counties of Montgomery County, Howard County, Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County and Frederick County, as well as the cities of Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Columbia, Ellicott City, Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Bowie, College Park, Greenbelt, and Oxon Hill.