Facing a criminal charge like statutory rape can be very difficult. Your reputation is on the line and your future could be in jeopardy. Because of the severity of the consequences, it is important to hire an attorney that can provide you with a strong criminal defense Kankakee County Illinois. The MacNeil Firm has experience with these types of cases and ensure that you have the best legal defense possible. Call us today for a free consultation at (708) 218-0947.
Statutory rape refers to a situation where there’s sexual contact or penetration between two consenting individuals, but it has been determined to be unlawful based on the age or mental disability of one of the participants. The age of consent in Illinois is 17.
Does The Age Difference Between The Parties Determine Whether Misdemeanor or Felony Statutory Rape Will Be Charged?
If there’s a difference of less than five years between the participants’ ages, it would be charged as a misdemeanor. If it’s more than five years, it would be charged as a felony. There are some other elements that could factor into whether the case was charged as a misdemeanor or felony, but those are two of the biggest differences. Whatever the circumstances are in your case, it is important that you have an attorney that can provide you a criminal defense Kankakee County.
Would Someone Have To Register As A Sex Offender If They Are Convicted Of Statutory Rape?
A sex offender registry is a list of all convicted sex offenders in a state. You can search the entire country through the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW). Sex offender registries generally include the offender’s address, physical appearance, and criminal history. All fifty states require individuals convicted of certain sex crimes to register. Those convicted of more violent crimes are typically required to remain registered for a longer period and to update their address more frequently.
There are numerous convictions that can land someone on the sex offender registry. Indecent solicitation of a child, sexual exploitation of a child, patronizing a juvenile prostitute, exploitation of a child, and child pornography are just some of the charge that can result in a person being placed on the sex offender registry.
In Illinois, a misdemeanor conviction would require a ten-year registration and a felony case would be a lifetime registration. However, there are some other circumstances where a misdemeanor could require a lifetime registration, as well. At The MacNeil Firm, we have experience with all types of criminal defense Kankakee County, including helping clients with charges of statutory rape.
Contact us today for criminal defense Kankakee County
There are a lot of defenses that are available in a statutory rape case where the contact was consensual but it is deemed to be illegal by age. Those defenses would have to do with, particularly when there’s electronic communication involved, whether one of the individuals claimed to be older. Did they tell the other individual that they were over 18? Sometimes, there is a fake ID involved or there is a reasonable belief that the person was of the age of consent. There are some very strong defenses available in some cases.
As your attorneys, it is our job to provide an excellent criminal defense Kankakee County. We will do everything we can to make sure you are supported and updated throughout the case. Contact us today for a free consultation. We will provide you with an honest assessment of your case.
