Child Sex Abuse Attorney in Phoenix, Arizona
A child sexual abuse charge is severe in Arizona. The social stigma and damage to your reputation with accusations of child molestation can be overwhelming and devastating.
If you or a loved one has been charged with child abuse in Arizona, you need to speak with a skilled Phoenix criminal attorney immediately.
At Snader Law Group, we have extensive knowledge of Arizona criminal laws and experience representing clients who have been charged as a perpetrator of child sex abuse and other criminal offenses.
We are ready to defend you against any type of sexual assault offense including public indecency, child sexual abuse, child sexual assault, prostitution, and other child sex abuse crime charges. We will help you increase your chances of securing a reduction in sentence, a dismissal, or an acquittal of your charges.
Contact us now and schedule an initial consultation if you are accused of any sexual assault charge. Our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys can help you understand your legal options and protect your rights.
Snader Law Group is a criminal defense law firm specializing in sexual assault charges. We have years of experience helping clients fight for their innocence.
At Snader Law Group, we believe in treating our clients like family. That’s why we offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and help you get started on the path to justice.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!
Why Do I Need a Child Molestation Attorney in Arizona?
A child molestation accusation can instantly and substantially impact your life. If you’ve been charged as a perpetrator in molesting a child, it is crucial to consult our credible Phoenix child abuse attorney at Snader Law Group to help you understand the charges for the perpetrator and work toward the best possible outcome of your case.
Our criminal defense law firm specializes in the defense of sexual assault allegations and the majority of these involve alleged child molestation offenses. When you hire us to defend you against your child sex abuse charge, our legal team will diligently review your case, search for sufficient evidence, and negotiate with the prosecution.
We are motivated by our unyielding desire to prove the innocence of anyone falsely accused of such serious crimes. We will represent you and fight for your rights and future.
What is Child Sexual Abuse?
According to Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1410, a perpetrator commits molestation of a child by intentionally or knowingly engaging in or causing a person to engage in sexual assault with a child under fifteen years of age.
Sexual assault contact means any direct or indirect act of touching, fondling, or manipulating any part of the genitals or anus by any part of the body or by any object or causing a person to engage in this conduct.
If sexual intercourse or oral sex abuse occurs between a minor under the age of 15 and an adult, the charges for the perpetrator would be elevated to “sexual conduct with a minor” which carries even harsher penalties under Arizona law.
Furthermore, touching the female breast is not considered child abuse. It is considered child sexual abuse and carries different penalties than child abuse.
If you are under investigation or have been charged with sexual assault, our knowledgeable Phoenix child sexual abuse lawyers can evaluate your sexual assault case and explore your legal options.
The law firm of Snader Law Group, LLC has represented hundreds of clients in sexual assault and child sex abuse cases throughout the country. We have a 100% success rate with sexual assault cases. We are known for our attention to detail, knowledge of the law, skill at handling demanding clients, commitment to defending your rights and ability to work with you as an advocate throughout the legal process.
We understand that every case is different and we take pride in our ability to provide compassionate care during this difficult time. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, please contact us immediately so we can begin working on your behalf today!
What are the Penalties for Child Sexual Abuse in Arizona?
Child sexual assault carries heavy consequences and is subject to severe penalties under Arizona’s mandatory sentencing laws. Therefore, you must consult a reliable child sexual abuse attorney in Phoenix to handle your sexual abuse case evaluation.
The law can penalize you through a mandatory prison sentence and lifetime registration as a sex abuse offender if you are found guilty of child abuse.
In Arizona, child sexual abuse is a Class Two (2) felony, and considered a Dangerous Crimes Against Children (DCAC), which carries the following punishment for every conviction:
- If the victim was under 12 years of age, you would go to prison for 35 years if convicted
- If the victim was between 12 and 14, you would go to prison for 10 to 24 years if convicted
- If the victim was between 15 and 17, you could go to prison (no mandatory sentence)
If convicted of one previous predicate felony (which includes a prior DCAC, among other serious felonies), then the range of punishment can extend to:
- Minimum twenty-one (21) years
- Presumptive twenty-eight (28) years
- Maximum thirty-five (35) years
When the state of Arizona convicts you of a dangerous crime against children, you must serve your entire prison term. It is not possible to secure early release for these types of crimes. Probation is not possible if you are charged as a perpetrator of the sexual abuse of a child.
In addition, it is also essential to understand that if you are convicted of two counts of sexual abuse, your prison sentences cannot run concurrently; they have to run consecutively, with a minimum of at least 20 years being served in prison and all other punishments double in their ranges.
What are the Defenses for Child Sexual Assault?
Defending a charge of child sexual abuse requires in-depth investigation and analysis of all the facts and circumstances of the case evaluation. It is also important to remember that you are innocent until proven guilty, so you may be able to avoid conviction or even get the criminal charges dropped if the prosecutor assigned to your case lacks sufficient evidence.
Unfortunately, false accusations of child sexual abuse happen. It has been known that during or following a divorce, one spouse accuses another spouse of using a charge of child sexual assault as leverage in a custody dispute.
In some cases, a rebellious teenager can make false sexual abuse allegations to seek attention or to remove one of the parents from the home.
Every criminal case is different, especially when a child sexual abuse crime is charged. When you are facing sexual abuse charges, you should seek legal representation from a competent Phoenix AZ child sexual abuse attorney to help you build an effective defense strategy to get the criminal charges reduced and penalties minimized. Some of the most commonly used child molestation defenses include:
- Arguing that the touching was accidental
- Challenging the accuser’s identification, suggesting mistaken identity
- Raising the lack of sexual interest defense
- Suggesting that another adult committed the sexual harassment
- Arguing that the prosecutor has no DNA evidence
- Mitigating results of a private polygraph test and psychosexual risk assessment
- Positing that the accuser was coached to allege sexual abuse
- Using experts to counter the government’s child sexual abuse expert
- Challenging whether an area touched constitutes “genitals” under the statute, as it is not defined in Arizona law
- Challenging the alleged victim’s account of what happened through cross-examination
Speak to our Experienced Phoenix Child Sexual Abuse Attorney Now!
Being accused of child sexual abuse and being labelled a sexual abuse offender in Arizona is a highly humiliating, traumatic, and disturbing experience because of its potential long-term consequences.
A child molestation conviction could ruin your reputation, family life, and career. The charges of this crime are severe and can change your life forever.
If you or a loved one have been falsely accused of sexually molesting a child, consult our seasoned Phoenix child sexual abuse attorney at Snader Law Group immediately.
Our Arizona criminal law firm handles numerous cases related to sexual abuse. We apply our knowledge, skills, and experience toward achieving a favourable result in your criminal case.
Our legal team will investigate the facts of your case and determine the possible defenses that can be used in court. We are devoted to obtaining an acquittal or not guilty verdict and helping you avoid mandatory sentences and the most severe punishments of a criminal conviction in Arizona. We are dedicated to working hard to see that your reputation and rights are protected.
We understand that your reputation is essential, and we will do everything we can to protect it. That’s why we offer a dedicated team of sexual abuse attorneys who are committed to seeing that your rights are protected.