Rhode Island Rape Lawyer

Sex Crimes Defense Attorney in Rhode Island

Rape cases can be highly emotionally charged for all involved. Just the allegation can have serious repercussions on your personal and professional life. A conviction can very negatively impact your future. That is why you should get the help of a Rhode Island criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible after being charged or arrested for the sex crime of rape. Attorney Humphrey and his dedicated legal team have successfully represented clients in a variety of sexual offense cases. Find out what may be done for your particular legal situation by contacting Attorney Humphrey today.

About Rhode Island Rape Charges

Under traditional common law, rape was defined as nonconsensual sex through force or threats. Only women could be the victims of rape and only men could be the perpetrator of the rape. In addition, married women could not be raped by their husbands. The term rape has since been replaced with the term sexual assault. Sexually assault is more broadly defined and in Rhode Island, there are three degrees of sexual assault depending on the type of assault that occurred. Both men and women can be victims of rape and marital status is irrelevant. All three types of sexual assault are felony offenses and have adult victims. If the same crime occurred and the victim was under the age of fourteen (14), the crime charged would be child molestation.

First degree sexual assault is defined as sexual penetration through force or coercion. Second degree sexual assault refers to sexual contact through force or coercion. Third degree sexual assault is sexual penetration when the defendant is over the age of eighteen (18) and the victim is fourteen (14) or fifteen (15) years old. The age of consent in Rhode Island is sixteen (16) years old, meaning a person can legally consent to sexual intercourse, regardless of the age of their partner, without a crime having been committed.

First Degree Sexual Assault

One count with no injury (imprisonment of ten (10) to fifteen (15) years);
Multiple counts without or without injury (imprisonment of fifteen (15) to twenty-five (25) years);
One count or multiple counts with aggravating circumstances (imprisonment exceeding twenty (20) years).

Second Degree Sexual Assault

One count touching/groping over clothing (less than jail time);
Multiple counts touching/groping over clothing in the same incident (less than jail time);
Multiple counts touching/grouping over clothing (imprisonment of one (1) to three (3) years);
One or multiple counts touching/groping under clothing (imprisonment of two (2) to five (5) years);
One or multiple counts touching/groping under or over clothing with aggravating circumstances (imprisonment of five (5) to fifteen (15) years).

Third Degree Sexual Assault

Imprisonment up to five (5) years.

There are severe penalties and punishments if a conviction for sexual assault is obtained. Additionally, a sexual assault conviction usually results in registration as a sex offender which is then publicly available to neighbors and potential employers. These charges can have lasting effects that may impact your privacy and reputation as well as where you can live or who will hire you..

Contact a Rhode Island Sex Crimes Lawyer right away if you have been arrested or charged with a sex crime.