Salt Lake City Aggravated Sexual Assault Attorneys
Helping Clients Fight Sex Crime Accusations
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, one in ten sexual assault cases in Salt Lake and Utah counties end in a conviction, with police sending less than half of these cases to a prosecutor to be considered for charges. This same study also found that people of color in Utah County were nearly three times as likely to be charged than white people. Finally, victims who were asleep and awakened to the assault are more likely to have their sexual assault case prosecuted in these two counties.
Despite this low prosecution rate, some people do get prosecuted for aggravated sexual assault, even when there’s been a misunderstanding and they’re not guilty as charged. If this describes your situation and you were arrested for a sex crime in Utah, you should take your criminal charges seriously since the penalties for aggravated sexual assault are severe. Having an experienced Salt Lake City sex crimes defense attorney from Conyers & Nix by your side can make a difference in the outcome of your case, so call our law firm to discuss your legal options during your consultation.
What is Aggravated Sexual Assault in Utah?
Aggravated sexual assault in Utah is sexual assault that is accompanied by one or more aggravating circumstances. For example, if you’re accused of causing bodily injury to the victim during the rape, attempted rape, object rape, attempted object rape, forcible sodomy, attempted forcible sodomy, forcible sexual abuse, or attempted forcible sexual abuse, you’ll be accused of aggravated sexual assault.
Aggravated charges may also be considered appropriate if you allegedly used or threatened to use a dangerous weapon during an attempted rape, attempted object rape, attempted forcible sodomy, or attempted forcible sexual abuse. Other aggravating factors include making the victim feel compelled to submit to rape by the threat of kidnapping, serious bodily injury, or death, or having one or more people aid or abet in the sexual offense.
Because this type of sex crime carries severe penalties, your choice of a sex crimes attorney matters. At Conyers & Nix, we believe in our clients and their ability to get through the challenges associated with these charges. We never judge our clients, because no one should be judged based on their worst moment. What we will do is tell you the likely outcome of your case—both the best and worst-case scenarios. In this way, you can expect complete transparency and communication, ensuring we answer all your questions in a comprehensive, easy-to-understand manner.
What Is the Difference Between Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse in Utah?
It’s essential to understand how the sex crime you were charged with differs from other sex crimes in Utah, since each sexual offense has its own definition, penalties, and criminal defense options. In particular, the difference between sexual assault and sexual abuse isn’t always clear. A Salt Lake City sex crimes defense lawyer from our law firm can carefully examine your case to ensure you know which sexual crime you’re accused of, but in the meantime, consider the main differences between sexual assault and sexual abuse.
In the state of Utah, sexual abuse is known as forcible sexual abuse. This sex crime occurs when someone touches someone who is 14 years old or older on the buttocks, anus, pubic area, genitals, or breast if the victim is female, or generally takes indecent liberties while touching them. In addition to this type of touching, for the sexual offense to be considered forcible sexual abuse, the offender must intend to sexually arouse the victim without their consent or cause them “substantial emotional or bodily pain.”
In general, forcible sexual abuse can be from some form of minimally invasive—yet unwanted—contact. By contrast, aggravated sexual assault is a much more invasive offense since it involves rape, attempted rape, object rape, forcible sodomy, or attempted forcible sodomy. Either way, being accused of such sex crimes can be devastating. Not only will you face serious penalties if convicted, but you could also be required to add your name to the sex offender registry. Note that the penalties could be more severe if you’re charged with aggravated sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, or another grievous sexual offense. If you’re ready to seek legal counsel to protect yourself from harsh penalties, call our law firm today.
What Are the Penalties for Aggravated Sexual Assault in Utah?
As a first-degree felony, aggravated sexual assault in Utah can result in a mandatory prison term of not less than 15 years. Depending on the circumstances – such as if you were previously convicted of other illegal sexual acts or your case involves abuse of a child – you could end up with life in prison.
Some sexual abuse or assault cases are charged as second or third-degree felonies, depending on the alleged sex offenses and the age of the victims. If you’re convicted of a second-degree felony in Utah for attempted aggravated sexual assault, your prison sentence could range from ten years to life. If you’re convicted of this grievous sexual offense in the course of attempted forcible sexual abuse, it’s a third-degree felony that could result in at least six years in prison, with life in prison being a possibility.
You could also be fined thousands of dollars and will be put on the sex offender registry after an aggravated sexual abuse or assault conviction. Because these are devastating consequences, it is essential that you do not face this on your own. You need a knowledgeable Salt Lake City aggravated sexual assault defense attorney from Conyers & Nix to represent you.
What Are the Potential Defenses for Aggravated Sexual Assault?
Although the defense used by your attorney will depend on the exact circumstances and facts surrounding your charges, the following are some of the common defenses used in aggravated sexual assault charges.
- Actual innocence—If you have an alibi for the time of the assault, your attorney can present evidence that proves you were elsewhere at the time of the crime. The victim may have also misidentified you, or your attorney may be able to present evidence that makes it impossible for you to have committed the crime. The prosecutor has the burden of proof in showing you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, so your attorney will build a case that shows there is plenty of reasonable doubt and that you did not commit the crime
- Consent—Perhaps you are responsible for the behavior in question, but the victim consented to the act. One of the elements of sexual assault is that the sexual behavior was against the will of the alleged victim. Proving that the act was consensual sex can be difficult and may require that you testify. Remember, in some cases, consent is legally impossible, such as when the victim is a minor, incapacitated, mentally challenged, or incapable of understanding the sexual nature of the behavior
- Insanity or mental incapacity—Defendants may claim they had a mental disease or defect at the time of the crime that removes criminal liability for their actions
If you want to know which defense strategy we recommend, contact our Utah law firm to speak with a caring defense lawyer. The experienced legal team of Kate Conyers and Jesse Nix offers zealous advocacy and exceptional legal representation that will meticulously prepare you for court during your case.
How Can Salt Lake City Aggravated Sexual Assault Attorneys Help Your Case?
After being charged with aggravated sexual assault, you may feel as though you have nowhere to turn. You are anxious, stressed, and terrified that you may go to prison and be labeled as a registered sex offender for life.
But the Conyers & Nix legal team wants you to know you are not alone. We have extensive experience defending clients charged with sex crimes and are prepared to protect your legal rights. You deserve a defense lawyer who will advocate for you through this difficult process. Call Conyers & Nix today at 385-469-1097 for the legal representation you need.