Offenses involving minors

Any sex crime involving a minor is among the most serious charges an individual can face. While not all sex crimes involving minors are of equal severity, all carry with them significant penalties and the potential to ruin your reputation. If you have been charged with a sex crime involving a minor, representation by an experienced criminal defense attorney is a must.

Sex crimes involving minors can take a number of forms. Child abuse, child abusive activity, and child molestation, or criminal sexual conduct are commonly-charged offenses that can result in jail or prison time, substantial fines, and registration on the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry. These charges and other charges involving minors can also affect your parental rights with your own children. Child abuse and molestation charges typically involve questioning of the child by law enforcement. If that questioning is done suggestively or improperly, it can severely impact the quality of the evidence the prosecution gathers from the child.

Another common offense involving minors is statutory rape. The act of sexual intercourse with an individual between 13 and 16 years of age is statutory rape—even if you are 17 and the other person consents. Statutory rape can have devastating consequences, including a sentence of up to 15 years and placement on the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry.

Child pornography charges also carry serious penalties, and particularly where technology such as the Internet is involved, can present complex questions regarding jurisdiction and the evidence supporting the charge. While these cases can arise simply because you downloaded child porn accidentally, they are often prosecuted with gusto and are particularly damning in the court of public opinion.

If you are under investigation or have been charged with any sort of sex crime involving a minor, you should contact an experienced Michigan sex crime defense attorney right away. Lawyers at Grabel & Associates have successfully represented numerous individuals charged with child sex crimes. We understand the sensitive nature of these charges and the severe consequences you may face. If you are under prosecution for any child sex crime, contact us today at (800) 342-7896.