Silver Spring Sex Crimes Lawyer

Sex Crimes Defense Attorney Defending Clients in Silver Spring, MD

Sex crimes are among the most serious and the most stigmatized criminal offenses in Maryland. Courts treat sex offenders very harshly due to the severe harm victims of these offenses can suffer, even in cases where there is not a specific and named victim, or where the "victim" turns out to be an undercover police officer. Those convicted of sex crimes are forced to register as sex offenders for a period ranging from 15 years to life depending on the nature of the offense.

The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC. will work to uphold your rights and provide you with the best defense possible under the circumstances, regardless of the type of offense you are charged with. We will carefully analyze your case to determine the best possible defense strategy and to see whether any of your constitutional rights have already been violated.

Online Solicitation of a Minor

Online solicitation of a minor means encouraging or trying to induce a minor to engage in any type of sexual activity or performance. For example, trying to arrange to meet a minor in person for sex or encouraging a minor to take and send sexual images of themselves would both be examples of online solicitation. Even having a conversation that is sexually explicit with a minor could lead to these charges.

Often, it turns out that there is no actual minor involved. Instead, the defendant may have been conversing with an undercover police officer the entire time. However, if the defendant believed that they were communicating with a minor, they may be charged with this offense.

Attorneys for Rape and Sexual Assault in Gaithersburg, MD

Rape and sexual assault—which is referred to as "sex offense" in Maryland—are two of the most serious sex crimes. Rape specifically refers to engaging in sexual penetration without the victim's consent. Rape in the first degree involves force or the threat of force and another circumstance that makes the crime more serious, like brandishing a weapon or having another person's help. Rape in the second degree can involve a victim who could not consent, force or the threat of force without aggravating circumstances, or a victim under 14 years old.

Sexual assault involves nonconsensual sex acts other than penetration. Like rape, it is broken down into different degrees based on the circumstances of the offense. Sexual assault involving the use of force or other serious circumstances can be charged in the third degree, while sexual assault in the fourth degree is normally charged when the victim is a minor and the offender an adult, but the two are close in age and there was no force used or threatened.

Child Pornography Law Firm in Montgomery County

Possession or production of child pornography are both serious sex crimes. There are many possible defenses. One of the more common defenses may involve arguing that the material you possessed does not depict a minor engaged in sexual activity or performance, but is an innocent, educational, or artistic image. Another defense is to show that you did not realize that the material you were downloading would include child pornography, or you reasonably believed that the image depicted an adult.

Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

While being on the sex offender registry can be unpleasant, Maryland imposes fewer restrictions on sex offenders than most other states. For example, Maryland has determined that statistically, preventing sex offenders from living near parks does nothing to reduce recidivism or endanger children and does not restrict where sex offenders can live.

However, convicted sex offenders can be charged with a crime for failing to register or failing to update their registration when reportable information, such as where they live or work, changes.

Contact a Silver Spring, MD Sex Crimes Attorney

The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC. is committed to providing all criminal defendants with zealous representation. Our experienced and professional Silver Spring sex crimes lawyers will do all we can to give you the best defense possible. Contact us at 301-589-9500 for a complimentary consultation.