Sex Crimes Attorney, Maricopa County (Arizona)

With so many definitions for sex crimes, it is easy to see how anyone would be overwhelmed if charged with one in Maricopa county. These type of crimes are not limited to the big city of Phoenix and the surrounding Tempe area. Sex crimes are prosecuted from all over the county, including Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa. A sex crime is a crime that includes either sexual activity against someone's will or sexual acts that are considered indecent. In Arizona law, the term rape is not used. Crimes that could be considered rape or generally classified as sexual abuse or sexual assault. For the purpose of this article, prostitution will also be included in the list of Arizona sex crimes. Arizona law separates sex crimes into four different categories. These categories are sexual offenses, obscenity, sexual exploitation, and prostitution. Sexual offenses can be generalized as crimes against another person, sexual exploitation generally involves children, and obscenity involves community standards of acceptable sexual behavior. Prostitution is related to the bartering of sexual activities for money. Sexual offenses in Arizona include the following charges: Indecent exposure Public sexual Indecency Sexual Abuse Sexual Assault Adultery Child Molestation Bestiality Location and Hours of Adult oriented businesses Voyeurism Because the term rape is not used in the definition of Arizona sex crimes, sexual assault would be the legal equivalent. With the exception of adultery, these charges are all felonies that could result in jail time. Adultery is a misdemeanor offense that can only be raised by a spouse. Offenses that involve a minor under the age of 15 are not only felonies, but they will also result in more severe penalties. Obscenity crimes are hard to prosecute because of the unclear definition of what is obscene. If the crime affects a minor in any way however, it will be more severe than those that do not. Obscenity crimes include producing, selling or displaying obscene materials. Obscenity transmitted over the phone to a minor is also considered a crime. Having knowledge of the production of obscene materials and not reporting it is also a crime. Obscenity crimes are considered felonies. When sex crimes with minors are publicized or sexual activities or made available to minors, sexual exploitation may be charged. These type of crimes are also considered felonies. They include producing materials of sexual nature about a minor, and assisting in the production of these materials by luring minors, or misrepresenting a minor's age. They also include allowing minors to view public displays of sexual conduct. Prostitution crimes include the act of being a prostitute, owning or working in a house of prostitution, collecting money from prostitutes, and coercing people to become a prostitute. There are no charges for hiring a prostitute, but the act of prostitution is charged as a misdemeanor. All other charges are felonies. Since sex crimes are typically felonies, cases for them are held at Maricopa County Superior Courts. These courts are located in Phoenix, Surprise, and Mesa. A sex crime court case can possibly be a lengthy trial that will begin with the establishment of probable cause. If there is the determination of probable cause the case will continue into an arraignment, pre-trial procedures, jury trial, and finally sentencing. Those accused of prostitution or adultery will be seen in justice courts. These courts are located throughout Maricopa County in cities such as Buckeye, Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, Toileson and Mesa. If you have been charged with a sex crime in Maricopa County it is important to get good legal representation. Evidence is very important in these types of crimes, and a skilled defense will know how to separate admissible evidence from those that can not be used in court. Our office is prepared to fight for you in all cases of criminal law, including sex crimes.