Indecent Assault
Chester County Indecent Assault Attorney
Are you facing criminal charges for sex crimes such as indecent assault in Chester County Pennsylvania? Then speak to a Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyer to defend your charges or arrest for indecent assault.
If you are arrested for allegedly committing indecent assault, there are always defense options available to you. Many times, the prosecution’s case is based solely on the word of the alleged victim. A qualified sex offense attorney can review the claims and allegations made by the alleged victim, and find inconsistencies that could weaken the prosecution’s case.
West Chester Indecent Assault Lawyer
If you have been charged with indecent assault in and around Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, or Lancaster County, contact Ciccarelli Law Offices. Our firm has a team of qualified defense lawyers wih over four decades of collective experience, and they are ready and willing to serve you.
With meeting sitesconveniently located in West Chester Kennett Square, Philadelphia, Lancaster, King of Prussia, Malvern, and Radnor, the firm is able to provide legal protection for clients who are looking for the best opportunity to avoid significant penalties for the crimes they have been accused of. Call us today at (610) 692-8700.
The charge of Indecent Assault is when a person has indecent contact with another or causes another to have indecent contact with a person and 1) consent is lacking; 2) the act was done by forcible compulsion; 3) the act was done by threat of forcible compulsion; 4) the victim was unconscious; 5) it is known that the victim is unaware of the indecent contact occurring; 6) the person has drugged the victim; 7) the victim suffers from mental disability prohibiting the victim from consent, the victim is less than 13 years of age; 9) the victim is less than 16 years of age and the person committing the act is four or more years older than the victim.
The charge of Aggravated Indecent Assault is when a person engages in penetration however slight of the genital or anus of another person and 1) the other person does not consent; 2) the act was done by forcible compulsion; 3) the act was done by threat of forcible compulsion; 4) the other person is unconscious; 5) the person has drugged the victim; 6) the victim suffers from mental disability making that person incapable of consent; 7) the victim is less than 13 years of age, 8) the victim is less than 16 years of age and the person committing the act is four or more years older than the victim.
When evidence and guilt is not in question, extenuating circumstances may convince the court to either reduce the charges against you or the sentence you face. As your lawyers, we work with the Chester County prosecutors in exploring alternative sentencing options when a plea of “guilty” may be in your best interest. In certain cases where provocation, a medical condition, or alcohol is involved, it may be possible to avoid jail or a heavy fine in exchange for a promise to get counseling, provide community service, and agree to probation.
Information on Indecent Assault in Pennsylvania
- What is Indecent Assault?
- Penalties for Indecent Assault in West Chester
- Aggressively Defending Those Accused of Indecent Assault in Chester County
What is Indecent Assault?
Indecent assault is laid out in Pa. Cons. Stat. §3126 as having indecent contact with a victim, or causing the victim to have indecent contact with a person and:
- The victim did not consent
- The victim was forced
- The victim was threatened
- The victim was unconscious at the time
- The victim was unaware of what was taking place
- Without the knowledge of the victim, the offender administered drugs to the victim and impaired his or her ability to resist
- The victim has a mental disability that makes him or her incapable of consenting
- The victim is less than 13 years old
- The victim is less than 16 years old and the offender is four or more years older than him or her
- and the complainant and the person are not married to each other
Penalties for Indecent Assault in West Chester
In most cases, an individual charged with indecent exposure will be prosecuted for a first or second degree misdemeanor. A first degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to five years of imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to $10,000. A second degree misdemeanor carries a jail sentence of up to two years, and/or up to a $5,000 fine.
If the victim is less than 13 years old, and the alleged offender has previously been convicted of this offense, or if he or she touched the victim’s private parts, the offense can be charged as a third degree felony. A third degree felony carries a potential prison sentence of up to seven years, and/or a fine of up to $15,000.
Aggressively Defending Those Accused of Indecent Assault in Chester County
If you are facing charges, it is vital that you take an aggressive stance on defending yourself and presenting a solid case against the prosecution. Ciccarelli Law Offices operates under the premise that a team approach will give their clients the best chance of developing a successful defense strategy. They serve clients who have been charged with sex crimes in Willow Street, Newton Square, Coatesville, Norristown, and other cities in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Contact Ciccarelli Law Offices today at (610) 692-8700 to set up a consultation with an experienced team of West Chester defense attorneys. Your consultation is an important step in building a defense strategy that is built for your specific case.
Committed to Helping You Avoid the Worst Possible Scenario
While there are no guarantees in criminal defense law, understanding your rights and the legal options available to you in Chester County can improve your chances when defending yourself from charges of indecent assault and sex crimes. As criminal defense attorneys serving Chester County and with years of experience in our criminal justice system, we understand how to negotiate with the court, how to identify questionable police conduct and suspicious testimony, and prevent clients from making certain kinds of mistakes.
You also need Chester County criminal lawyers both passionate in what they do and compassionate in their treatment of their clients. You deserve a Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer that is available when you need him, treats you with respect, and protects your rights vigorously. We make your choice all the clearer fighting for clients throughout Chester County. For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer, contact us at (610) 692-8700.