The state of Michigan takes sex crimes seriously, and prosecutors work hard to secure convictions. If you’ve been accused of a sex crime in Flint, there’s no time to waste, as your reputation, freedom, and even your future may be on the line. Fortunately, there are certain practical steps you can take to fight back against the charges against you, chief among them by hiring a criminal defense attorney in Flint.
Common Sex Crimes Charges in Flint, MI
Michigan law establishes a number of sex crime offenses, including:
- Criminal sexual conduct
- Indecent exposure
- Gross lewdness
- Gross indecency
- Prostitution
- Soliciting prostitution
- Possession or distribution of child pornography
A conviction for a sex offense in Flint can have devastating consequences, including a lengthy prison sentence, substantial fines, and an obligation to register with the Michigan Sex Offender Registry. Due to the serious nature of sex crimes, police and prosecutors in Flint vigorously pursue convictions of defendants accused of such offenses.
The Importance of Hiring an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
If you’ve been charged with a sex crime in Flint, you deserve the help of an experienced and local criminal defense attorney, one who can prepare and pursue an effective defense strategy on your behalf. A local defense attorney will know the judges and prosecutors in Flint and understand both how prosecutors build their cases and what strategy may be most effective before a given judge. Hiring an attorney as early as possible in your case can help you protect your rights and avoid mistakes that may foreclose your legal options.
Common Defense Strategies in Sex Crime Cases
Depending on the circumstances, there are several different defenses that could be compelling in your case. Common defense strategies used in sex cases include:
- Consent: In cases involving offenses of forcible conduct, a defendant may claim that an alleged victim validly consented to sexual activity.
- Mistaken identity: A defendant may assert that an alleged victim or eyewitness erroneously identified them as the perpetrator.
- Alibi: Defendants may present alibi evidence to prove they were elsewhere when a sex offense occurred and thus could not have committed it.
- False accusation: A defendant may argue that an alleged victim has falsely accused them of a sex offense due to mental health issues or out of a desire to gain a legal advantage against the defendant in a divorce or custody case.
- Unreliable forensic evidence: Defendants may challenge the reliability of the state’s forensic evidence (e.g., fingerprints, DNA), citing issues like breaks in the chain of custody of forensic samples or errors in testing methods.
- Constitutional violations by investigators: A defendant may seek to exclude evidence from the prosecution’s case by highlighting the police’s unlawful search or questioning that uncovered the evidence.
The Role of Investigation and Evidence
A criminal defense lawyer can conduct an independent investigation into your sex charges to find evidence favorable to your case that police and prosecutors may have either missed or suppressed. Investigators want to help prosecutors secure a conviction, and they may not spend much time or effort looking for evidence that suggests your innocence. Consequently, having legal representation is critical to building a robust defense and working toward a successful outcome to your charges. A defense attorney can build your case through electronic communications, alibi evidence, witness testimony, forensic testing, and expert opinions.
Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
If you’ve been charged with a sex crime in the Flint area, you need to act fast to protect yourself. Contact The Law Office of Jodi L. Hemingway, PLLC today for a confidential consultation with a criminal defense attorney about your case and the potential defense strategies available to you.
