SEX CRIMES DEFENSE ATTORNEY IN KNOXVILLE & FARRAGUT, TENNESSEE

According to the Department of Justice, National Crime Victimization Survey, on average, approximately 433,648 individuals (age 12 or older) are victims of rape and sexual assault every year in the United States. In Tennessee, sex crimes allegations are serious and could cause irreparable damage to your reputation, freedom, quality of life, professional, and future opportunities. If convicted, the defendant could be facing hefty fines, lengthy prison sentences, registration as a sex offender, and other social consequences.

If you are facing rape or sexual assault charges, or if you are under investigation for a sex-related crime, it is paramount that you retain an aggressive and skilled Tennessee criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to outline a strong defense strategy. At the Law Office of Joshua S. Reed, we're committed to providing knowledgeable legal services and comprehensive representation to clients facing sex crime charges, including sexual assault and rape. Our firm will fight vigorously to defend your rights and outline a strong defense strategy to pursue the best possible outcome for your case.

The Law Office of Joshua S. Reed is proud to serve clients throughout Knoxville, Farragut, and all over East Tennessee, including but not limited to Knox County, Blount County, Sevier County, Anderson County, Loudon County, and Union County.

TYPES OF SEX-RELATED CRIMES

In Tennessee, sex crimes involve different forms of non-consensual sexual conduct, including sexual touching, rape, or a series of sexual behaviors exhibited to another person without the individual's consent. Some of the most common sex-related crimes in Tennessee include:

SEXUAL ASSAULT

Sexual assault can be described as any unwanted sexual contact involving force, coercion, or without the victim's consent. Sexual assault may include any of the following acts:

• Sexual Battery: This involves the intentional sexual contact or touching of a victim by the defendant by the use of force, coercion, or without the victim's consent, for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. Sexual battery is a Class E felony, punishable by one to six years in prison and a fine of up to $3,000.

• Rape: Rape is the unlawful sexual penetration of a victim by the use of force or coercion without the victim's consent. Rape is a Class B felony, punishable by between 8 and 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.

• Statutory Rape: Tennessee Code Section 39-13-506 defines statutory rape as the sexual penetration of a victim by a defendant. Depending on the circumstances, statutory rape may be a Class D or E felony, punishable by up to 12 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000. Statutory rape can be charged when:

  • The victim is between 13 and 15 years, and the defendant is four to 10 years older.

  • The victim is between 15 and 18 years, and the defendant is 5 to 10 years older.

  • The victim is between 15 and 17 years, and the defendant is at least four to five years older (mitigated statutory rape).

  • The victim is between 13 and 17 years, and the defendant is 10+ years older aggravated statutory rape).

• Rape of a Child: According to Tennessee Code Section 39-13-522, the rape of a child is any unlawful sexual penetration of a victim who is between 4 and 12 years old by a defendant. This is a Class A felony, punishable by between 15 and 60 years in prison and a fine up to $50,000.

• Statutory Rape by an Authority Figure: This is defined as the unlawful sexual penetration of a victim by a defendant when:

  • The victim is between 13 and 17 years old.

  • The defendant is older than the victim by at least four years.

  • The defendant was in a position of supervision, trust, or had discipline power, custodial, or parental authority over the victim.

PROSTITUTION

According to Tennessee Code Annotated 39-13-512, prostitution involves any of the following:

• Engaging in or offering to engage in sexual activity as a business

• Being an inmate in a house of prostitution

• Loitering in a public place for the purpose of being hired to engage in sexual activity

Under Tennessee laws, prostitution and patronizing prostitution are Class B misdemeanors charges. Prostitution is punishable by up to six months in jail and/or fines of up to $500.

PUBLIC INDECENCY

According to Tennessee Code Annotated 39-13-511, a person commits the offense of public indecency if, in a public place, he or she intentionally or knowingly commits any of the following acts:

• Engages in sexual intercourse, sodomy, masturbation, oral copulation, bestiality, flagellation, excretory functions, or other ultimate sex acts

• Appears in a state of nudity

• Fondles the genitals of the person or another person.

A first or second public indecency offense is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $500. A third or subsequent offense is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, a fine of $1,500, or both.

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

According to Tennessee Code Annotated 37-1-602, child sexual abuse can be described as the commission of any act involving the unlawful sexual abuse, molestation, fondling, or carnal knowledge of a child under thirteen (13) years of age. Child sexual abuse may constitute the offense of aggravated rape, aggravated sexual battery, rape, incest, sexual battery, use of a minor for obscene purposes, or sexual exploitation of a minor.

DEFINING CONSENT UNDER TENNESSEE LAW

"Consent" is an agreement between two people to engage in sexual activity. The age of consent in Tennessee is 18 years. Therefore, only a person who is 18 years or older can actually give consent to sex with an adult, regardless of circumstance. Any sexual activity without consent may be considered sexual assault or rape.

GET HELP FROM A KNOWLEDGEABLE CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Allegations of rape, sexual assault, and other kinds of sex crimes often attract devastating ramifications and can cause long-lasting damage to your reputation, both personally and professionally. When defending a sex crime charge, having strong legal representation and an effective defense strategy that fits your unique circumstances is crucial.

At the Law Office of Joshua S. Reed, our attorneys have devoted their careers to offering reliable representation and defending individuals who have been charged with a sex crime. As your legal counsel, we will:

• Review every detail of your case

• Conduct a comprehensive, private investigation

• Determine the best legal strategy for your defense

• Help you navigate the criminal justice system

• Fight aggressively on your side to defend your rights.

• Refute the charges against you using all of the evidence available

Our attorneys will attempt to establish your innocence, ensure that you receive fair treatment, and do everything within their capacity to make sure you have the best chance at achieving a successful outcome. With our attorneys on your side, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands. Call or reach out to our office today to schedule a case consultation.