Have you been charged with a sex crime in Westmoreland or Indiana County, Pennsylvania? If so, you’re probably worried about how a conviction could affect your reputation, your freedom, and your future. Police and prosecutors take these cases very seriously, and you need an equally serious defense to help you protect your rights and your good name.
Contact Andrew F. Skala, Esquire, for an initial case evaluation with a knowledgeable sex crimes defense attorney. Let’s discuss your legal options for seeking a favorable resolution to your charges so you can move forward with your life.
Why Choose Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer Andrew F. Skala, Esquire?
Don’t make the mistake of going up against the full force of Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system without a committed and seasoned legal advocate on your side. Instead, choose criminal defense attorney Andrew F. Skala, Esquire, to advocate for your rights and interests because of our:
- Legal knowledge and experience: I have over two decades of experience defending clients in the criminal justice system. When you hire me for your case, you can expect counsel from an experienced attorney with the insights needed to handle the challenges that may arise in your case.
- Collaborative approach: Every client should have the right to decide how to proceed with their case. I take the time to explain your charges and walk you through the potential outcomes of your case, as well as the legal options available to you. That way, you’re empowered to make informed decisions in your best interests.
- Honesty, transparency, and respect: I will provide you with an honest assessment of your charges, even if that means giving you news you might not want to hear. However, I will always treat your situation with the respect and seriousness it deserves.
Types of Sex Crimes Our Firm Handles
Sex offenses under Pennsylvania law include:
- Rape: Under Pennsylvania law, a person commits rape if they engage in sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion, the threat of forcible compulsion, with an unconscious or severely intoxicated person, or with a person with a mental impairment that renders them incapable of consent. A person may also commit rape if they engage in sexual intercourse with a child under 13.
- Statutory sexual assault: Statutory sexual assault occurs when a person engages in sexual intercourse with someone under 16 when the defendant is not married to the person.
- Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse: A person commits involuntary deviate sexual intercourse if they engage in deviate sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion, threat of forcible compulsion, with an unconscious or severely intoxicated person, with a person with a mental impairment that renders them incapable of consent, or with a child younger than 13. The law defines deviate sexual intercourse as oral or anal intercourse between human beings, any form of sexual intercourse with an animal, or any penetration of a person’s genitals or anus with a foreign object other than for medical, hygienic, or law enforcement purposes.
- Sexual assault: Sexual assault occurs when they engage in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse with another person without their consent.
- Aggravated indecent assault: A person commits an aggravated indecent assault if they penetrate another person’s genitals or anus, except for medical, hygienic, or law enforcement purposes, without the person’s consent by forcible compulsion, the threat of forcible compulsion, with an unconscious or severely intoxicated person, with a person with a mental impairment that renders them incapable of consent, or with a child younger than 13.
- Indecent assault: A person commits indecent assault if they cause an individual to have indecent contact or come into contact with bodily fluids to arouse sexual desire without the individual’s consent by forcible compulsion, threat of forcible compulsion, with an unconscious or severely intoxicated person, with a person with a mental impairment that renders them incapable of consent, or with a child younger than 13.
- Indecent exposure: Indecent exposure occurs when a person exposes their genitals in public or any other place with other people present, knowing that their conduct will likely offend, affront, or alarm others.
- Unlawful dissemination of intimate image: A person commits a crime, popularly known as “revenge porn,” when they distribute an intimate image of another person with the intent to harass, alarm, or annoy that person.
- Child pornography: State and federal law prohibits the possession or distribution of visual materials depicting minors in a sexually explicit manner.
Consequences of a Sex Crimes Conviction
The penalties a defendant might face on conviction for a sex offense will depend on the grading of the offense and the trial court’s evaluation of sentencing factors. These include the severity of the defendant’s offense and their criminal history. Standard maximum sentences for sex offenses in Pennsylvania are as follows:
- First-degree felony: Up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000
- Second-degree felony: Up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000
- Third-degree felony: Up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000
- First-degree misdemeanor: Up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
- Second-degree misdemeanor: Up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000
Some sex crimes, such as rape, impose increased penalties for aggravating factors.
A sex crime conviction can have other long-term consequences beyond imprisonment or fines. First, many sex offenses require convicted defendants to register as sex offenders following their release from incarceration. This status obligates them to report to law enforcement periodically and promptly advise of changes to their personal or contact information. A conviction for a sex offense will also result in a criminal record, the stigma of which can make it exceedingly challenging to seek employment, housing, licensing, or educational opportunities.
The consequences of a sex conviction are serious. That’s why you need dedicated, knowledgeable legal counsel to help you protect your interests and pursue the most favorable outcome under the circumstances of your case.
Potential Defenses to Sex Charges
Individuals charged with a sex offense may pursue various defense strategies to fight the prosecution’s case, such as:
- Consent: Many defendants charged with sex offenses defend against their charges by arguing that the alleged victim validly consented to the sexual encounter.
- Mistaken identity: Defendants may assert that victims or eyewitnesses have erroneously identified them as the perpetrator of the offense.
- Alibi: A defendant may present alibi evidence to prove they did not commit the alleged offense by showing they were elsewhere when the crime occurred.
- Unreliable forensic evidence: Defendants may challenge the reliability or admissibility of forensic evidence, such as DNA or fingerprints, by identifying issues with the prosecution’s testing or the chain of custody of forensic samples.
- Unlawfully obtained evidence or statements: A defendant may seek to exclude evidence from the prosecution’s case by arguing that law enforcement obtained the evidence or inculpatory statements through an unlawful search or an interrogation that violated the defendant’s rights.
Contact Us Today for Experienced Advocacy
If you’ve been charged with a sex crime in Westmoreland or Indiana County, you need dedicated legal counsel to help you defend your rights and interests. Contact Andrew F. Skala, Esquire, today for a confidential consultation with a seasoned criminal defense lawyer to learn how our firm will provide you with the fair and firm guidance you deserve.