Tampa Rape Defense

Rape Charges in Tampa

The forcing of the sex act upon another against their will or consent is rape. Rape is a serious felony offense with severe consequences that can be life changing. A rape accusation can lead to a loss of reputation, and friends and family may begin to distance themselves. It can even result in the loss of child custody. The label of rapist can stick with a person forever.

An individual convicted of rape is guilty of a sex crime and must register with law enforcement as a sex offender. The name and address of the offender will appear in a public data information system. Monitoring where one can live as well as how close one can be to schools, public playgrounds or parks is the job of local law enforcement. There is a great loss of freedom and privacy. Due to the seriousness of a rape charge, it is essential upon arrest that the accused contact a Tampa sex crime defense lawyer for competent legal advice. The experienced attorney at The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger represents clients charged with all types of sex crimes and can offer competent and effective legal defense against rape charges.

Penalties for a Rape Conviction

Rape is usually a violent crime. Other types of rape are statutory rape which is the sex act performed on someone underage. Date rape occurs when a victim incapacitated by drugs or alcohol and has no awareness of the crime being committed. A convicted rapist faces a prison sentence along with fines, court ordered counseling and rehabilitation programs, and parole. Some professionals consider rape is an incurable disease and order drug treatment and behavior modification as part of the punishment. Penalties for rape increase if a minor was involved or there were prior offenses.

Rape criminal prosecution relies heavily on forensic evidence of blood, hair and fiber analysis. A skilled and knowledgeable defense attorney can evaluate the evidence and challenge the validity and accuracy of the findings. Defense involves attacking police reports, witness statements, arrest procedures and statements by the victim. Timothy Hessinger is an experienced criminal defense attorney and aggressively fights for the rights and freedoms of their clients when charged with serious rape crimes. Contact a Tampa rape defense attorney for representation and legal defense against serious rape charges.