Criminal Sexual Conduct With A Minor in South Carolina
Charges for criminal sexual conduct with a minor are very serious, especially in South Carolina. You could be placed on the sex offender registry, which could make your life very difficult for many years. It is important to fight these charges so that your professional and personal reputation remain intact. Without criminal defense help, you could face decades in jail, and in some instances, the prosecution may even request the death penalty.
Child molestation can be classified as several different sex crimes such as: lewd conduct with a minor, criminal sexual conduct, child sexual abuse, lewd and lascivious acts, and many more.
There are three degrees of criminal sexual conduct with a minor:
- First degree involves sexual battery of a child less than 11 years of age, and can result in at least 25 years in prison; or, the victim is less than 16 years of age, but the perpetrator has been previously convicted as on charges for criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
- Second degree involves a victim who is less than 14 years old, but older than 11 years; or, if the victim is less than 16 years old and the perpetrator has official, parental, or custodial authority over the victim to coerce the victim into submission. The penalty for this type of criminal sexual conduct is up to 20 years in prison.
- Third degree involves a lewd act upon the victim if they are under 16 years old, with the intent of sexually gratifying the victim or the perpetrator.
Charges of assault with the intent to commit criminal sexual conduct with a minor are treated, in South Carolina, the same as actual charges of criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Because of the severity of this charge, it is important to understand the intricacies of the law and the best ways to fight these charges.
Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor in the Age of the Internet
In addition to these criminal acts, you could also face charges of criminal solicitation of a minor, which can include internet solicitation. “Solicitation” involves contacting or communicating with a person who is under the age of 18, or believed by the perpetrator to be under the age of 18, for the purposes of sexual activity or violent crime, including rape or sexual assault.
Internet crimes against minor children can involve charges of dissemination of harmful materials to minors, which include pornography, lewd selfies, or erotic stories.
Computer forensics become more sophisticated with every passing year. Police investigators will scour your social media presence, your email, your search history, your text messages, and your phone call history for any indication that you knowingly tried to lure an underage person into a sexual act. Prosecutors could use any visit to pornography websites, suggestive “emoticons” on Facebook or in text messages, suggestive photos on Instagram, or a close personal relationship with the alleged victim to demonstrate that you had criminal intentions.
However, computer forensics can work in your favor as well. IP addresses and time stamps on search histories, text or social media conversations, and emails can throw off accusations of timing and help with your alibi.
Get Help Defending Against Charges of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor in South Carolina
You may feel frightened or alone if you have been charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor. You may be concerned about losing your job, your marriage, or your friends if you have to register on the sex offender registry. Criminal charges can be complex and intimidating, so it is important that you find legal representation as soon as possible. The criminal defense attorneys at the Strom Law Firm have worked with clients charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor since 1996, when Pete Strom founded the law firm in Columbia, South Carolina. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today for help. 803.252.4800.
Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor Investigation
Being investigated or arrested for Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, or sexual exploitation of a minor, is a serious allegation with potentially life altering consequences.
Depending upon your charges, if you are convicted, you face stiff prison sentences and may be required to register on the sex offender registry for the remainder of your lifetime.
You may also jeopardize your future including:
- loss of financial aid and scholarships,
- loss of your job as well as the inability to obtain future employment,
- possible disciplinary action before a professional board, and
- loss of custody and visitation rights.
However, being arrested for criminal sexual conduct with a minor does not mean that you are guilty or that you do not have a defense.
Whether you have been arrested and charged with:
- statutory rape,
- solicitation of a minor, including internet sex crimes,
- sexual assault,
- criminal sexual conduct/rape, or
- the possession or distribution of child pornography
Our criminal sexual conduct lawyers are familiar with the system. The Strom Law Firm, LLC understands the implications of a sexual conduct conviction.
We know how the system works, will work to have your charges reduced or dismissed, and we will obtain and challenge any evidence that the state has against you including:
- DNA,
- fingerprints,
- evidence obtained as a result of a search and seizure,
- witness statements, or
- photo line ups.
The law surrounding criminal sexual conduct with a minor is complex. Let us put our experience to work for you. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your criminal sexual conduct with a minor charge and how we can help. We offer flexible payment options and accept Visa and Mastercard.
