Alexandria Date Rape Lawyer
In Virginia, there is not a specific code section defining date rape. Date rape is commonly called acquaintance rape. Most of the time, date rape happens when a person has agreed to go out with someone and during the course of the interaction, sex occurs against the will of the other person. The penalties for any rape offense is severe. If you been charged with date rape, reach out to an Alexandria date rape lawyer today. An aggressive rape defense attorney could stand by your side and advocate on your behalf.
How Date Rape Allegations Differ From Other Rape Charges
In many date rape allegations, the accuser claims they were drugged or were given something that impairs their ability to fight back against unwanted advances. This is what usually sets date rape cases apart from other rape cases. In most other rape cases, it is simply the use of sheer force or intimidation to engage in sexual conduct. In date rape, the other person is usually incapacitated and does not have the ability to consent or fight back.
Evidence in Date Rape Cases
In almost every date rape case, the evidence involved will be he said, she said. This is the case unless the accuser went to get medical treatment the same night of the incident. If they did not, then it is unlikely that there was any evidence of drugging. Date rape cases are difficult because the person charged with date rape may allege that the sex was consensual, while the accuser argues that it was not. The lack of concrete evidence makes date rape cases difficult.
Penalties
The penalties for date rape is the same as any other rape case. The sentence for rape can range from five years to life in prison. If convicted, the individual will also have to register as a sex offender. Due to the consequences of a date rape conviction, it is essential that someone who is charge reaches out to a date rape attorney in Alexandria. Going into any case with a possible penalty of life in prison without legal counsel would not be wise. An experienced sex crimes attorney could fight to protect a defendant’s freedom.
How an Alexandria Date Rape Attorney Could Help
A person talking to law enforcement about date rape allegations against them without retaining counsel is putting themselves in a bad situation. Even if the individual did nothing wrong, talking to a lawyer about the charges and what kinds of questions to expect prior to sitting down with the police is crucial. When someone is charged with something serious as rape, they may be nervous talking to the police and are more likely to make mistake when they make a statement.
The police will take any honest mistake to attack the credibility of a person accused of rape. As soon as a person finds out they are being investigated, the very first thing that they should do is contact an Alexandria date rape lawyer to talk about how best to address the investigation.
