A St Paul Sex Crime Conviction Can Have Lifelong Consequences

Sex crimes occupy a special place in the public consciousness. While it may be unfair, even mere allegations of sexual misconduct can permanently ruin a person’s reputation – especially when the alleged victims are underage. Not surprisingly, then, a sex crime conviction can result in extremely serious consequences, including substantial fines and jail time. In addition, people who are convicted of certain sex crimes are branded as “sex offenders” and could be required to register as such for the rest of their lives.

With so much on the line, if you are facing allegations of criminal sexual misconduct, it’s imperative that you do everything you can to protect your good name. The lawyers of Capitol City Law Group know how to defend against sex crime accusations head-on and are committed to protecting our clients’ legal rights. To schedule a free consultation with one of our St. Paul Criminal Defense Lawyers, call our office today at 651-705-8580 or contact us online.

Sex Offender Registration Can Affect Your Entire Life

Certain sex crime convictions require you to register a sex offender for the rest of your life, making your name, photo, and details about your offense available to the general public. In this way, the consequences of a sex crime conviction can extend long after any sentence imposed by the court has ended.

Being on the sex offender registry can affect every of your life, including the following:

• Employment – The overwhelming majority of employers conduct a background check before hiring someone, and the fact that an applicant is a sex offender is almost certain to arise on even the most cursory report. Many employers will be hesitant to hire a registered sex offender, regardless of their industry. Furthermore, sex offenders may be legally barred from working certain jobs, such as those that require contact with children.
• Housing – Many landlords also conduct background checks on people who want to rent an apartment from them and may not want to rent to individuals who are registered sex offenders. In addition, there are laws that prohibit sex offenders from living within a certain distance of a school or daycare.
• Your Reputation within Your Community – Many people do not want to associate themselves with registered sex offenders. As a result, sex offender registration could isolate you both professionally and socially. In addition, as you will be required to register in any community in which you live, there is little chance of getting a fresh start by moving to a new city.

If You Have Been Accused of a Sex Crime, Here’s What You Can Do to Protect Your Rights

If you have recently been accused of sexual misconduct, you’re probably scared, confused, and uncertain about what to do next. Here are some of the things you can do to protect your legal rights and make sure that your case is resolved a favorably as possible:

• Do Not Agree to Talk to the Police – If you have not been formally charged, the police may show up at your door or at your work and ask you to have a little chat just to “clear things up.” They may even tell you that they are on your side or that not talking to them will make you look guilty. Do not agree to talk to the police without a lawyer present. Despite what they may say, the police are actively investigating and trying to obtain evidence against you.
• Do Not Discuss the Matter with the Alleged Victim – You may think that the whole thing is a misunderstanding between you and the alleged victim and that by talking to him or her, you can work things out and avoid any legal action. Unfortunately, if there is an investigation pending, that likely means that the alleged victim has made direct allegations against you, and anything you say to him or her as a much greater chance of hurting your case than it does helping it.
• Contact an Attorney as Soon as You Can – If you have been accused of a sex crime, you should contact an attorney as soon as you can. This is true whether an alleged victim has informally accused you of misconduct or criminal charges have been filed. The early intervention of an attorney can have a significant impact on the outcome of a sex crimes case and may even result in the case being dropped before charges are ever filed.

Call Capitol City Law Group Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a St. Paul Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you’ve been accused of a sex crime in Minnesota, it’s critical that you retain qualified legal counsel as soon as you can. At Capitol City Law Group, our St. Paul criminal defense lawyers provide zealous and aggressive legal representation designed bring your case to the most favorable resolution possible. To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys, call our office today at 651-705-8580 or send us an email through our online contact form.