What to Do if You Are Charged with a Sex Offense in Long Island

What to Do if You Are Charged with a Sex Offense in Long Island

Being charged with any crime is scary, but a sex offense charge brings a whole new level of fear and anxiety. Even if you are innocent or there are mitigating circumstances, just the accusation alone can ruin your reputation and upend your life.

If you have been charged with a sex crime on Long Island, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to protect yourself and build the strongest defense possible. In this article, we’ll walk through exactly what to do step-by-step so you can face these allegations strategically and knowledgeably.

Get a Lawyer Immediately

The very first thing you should do is retain an experienced criminal defense attorney who specializes in sex crimes. Do not try to handle this yourself or use a general practitioner lawyer unfamiliar with the intricacies of sex offense cases. There are complex issues regarding consent, age, mandatory minimums, sex offender registration, and more that require expert guidance.

A dedicated sex crimes lawyer will review the allegations and evidence against you, advise you on the best legal strategies, negotiate with the prosecutor if appropriate, and challenge questionable statements, improper police procedures, or other weaknesses in the government’s case. Having an attorney sets the tone that you take these charges very seriously and will mount an aggressive defense.

Say Absolutely Nothing to the Authorities

Other than providing your basic biographical details, you should not answer any substantive questions or make any statements to the police, investigators, or prosecutors about the charges against you. Anything you say can be used against you, even if you believe you have nothing to hide or did nothing wrong.

Be aware that the authorities may try to question you or trick you into making admissions with or without your lawyer present. Politely decline to answer questions and let your attorney handle all communication going forward. Silence is your right and is not considered evidence of guilt despite what police may threaten.

Secure an Alibi and Witnesses

Think back to exactly where you were, who you were with, what you were doing, and any other details that can account for your activities during the time the alleged crime took place. Write all this down along with contact information so your lawyer can verify your alibi and interview potential witnesses.

If there is any digital evidence that could help establish your whereabouts like cell phone location data, text messages, social media posts, etc. make sure to preserve it. Your attorney can submit a request to sites like Facebook or Google asking they retain the data pending legal process.

Do Not Violate Bail or Any Court Orders

If you are released on bail or perhaps just on your own recognizance, make sure to comply with all conditions set by the court. This usually includes appearing at all scheduled hearings, keeping the peace, avoiding contact with alleged victims and witnesses, and refraining from doing anything illegal.

Any missteps like missing a court date, intimidating a witness, getting arrested for something else even if unrelated, or traveling outside permitted jurisdictions could land you back in jail and complicate your defense. Your lawyer can explain court orders in detail so you understand boundaries.

Watch What You Say Publicly

You’ll naturally want to vent your frustrations and deny the allegations, especially if you feel wrongly accused. However, making public statements about your case on social media or directly to reporters can hand the prosecution ammunition. You could inadvertently contradict yourself later or give revealing quotes that undermine your defense.

Let your lawyer be the spokesperson for any press inquiries and keep quiet about case specifics with friends and family too no matter how much you trust them. Stray remarks find their way into court more often than you realize.

Seek Counseling and Support Structures

Facing sex crime accusations takes a tremendous mental and emotional toll above the legal implications. The social stigma alone is enough to trigger depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. Build a support system by leaning on trusted friends, family members, religious communities, or support groups.

Speaking to a therapist or counselor can also be extremely helpful for keeping your stress levels in check and getting impartial feedback. Your lawyer may know counselors who specialize in helping clients accused of sex offenses. Just be careful about publicly discussing specifics of your case.

Prepare for Trial Well in Advance

While your lawyer will handle the heavy lifting, you need to be ready to actively participate in your own defense during a trial. This means testifying clearly and credibly on the stand under cross-examination if you choose to take the stand. You’ll also need to help identify documents, witnesses, or evidence for your lawyer to introduce that refutes the charges.

The further in advance you start preparing with your lawyer’s guidance, the more confident and composed you’ll be before a judge and jury. Explore whether using a trial consultant could be worthwhile too.

Make Smart Decisions About Plea Deals

Prosecutors will often try to pressure defendants into accepting plea deals rather than face an uncertain trial. Typically they will threaten you with the maximum sentence possible if convicted at trial versus a lighter punishment if you plead guilty upfront. Your lawyer may actually advise considering a deal depending on the strength of evidence and your exposure if found guilty.

Every case has unique factors, so analyze the pros and cons carefully of fighting in court versus a negotiated settlement. Make decisions thoughtfully and not in a rushed or emotional state. The repercussions either way could follow you the rest of your life.

Brace for Long Term Consequences

If convicted of a sex crime, just know even once any criminal penalties are complete, you may have to register as a sex offender and comply with stringent supervision requirements for years or even life depending on offense severity. You’ll also likely struggle finding employment and housing due to background checks uncovering your conviction.

This difficult reality makes building an aggressive legal defense all the more critical to avoiding a scarlet letter following you indefinitely if the allegations are untrue. Still, also be pragmatic and understand true plea deals that keep you off registries may be worthwhile if conviction odds are high.

Move Forward One Day at a Time

Dealing with a sex crime accusation can be utterly destabilizing and make you question your own sanity or version of reality. Plenty of innocent people endure this crisis too. Use all the resources suggested here, stay disciplined about self-care, and take things incrementally day-by-day.

What matters most is having an ethical legal advocate in your corner, trusting the process, and making decisions from a place of education rather than fear or emotion. You have the power to take back control.

If you or a loved one has been accused of a sex offense anywhere in Long Island including Nassau County, Suffolk County, or the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn, do not hesitate to call our office for a free consultation and case assessment. Our experienced sex crimes defense lawyers and staff are here to help 24/7.