Greenville Rape Defense Lawyer

Rape is one of the most serious sex crimes that a person may be accused of committing. It is important to act quickly and discuss your legal options with a Greenville criminal defense lawyer who can work actively to protect your legal rights.

Penalties for Rape in Greenville, NC

If charged with first degree forcible rape, a Greenville defendant may face up to life in prison. Second degree forcible rape may be punishable by up to 21 years and 9 months in prison. Statutory rape may be punishable by up to life in prison or 21 years and 9 months in prison. Following are brief descriptions of these particular types of rape:

• First degree forcible rape - Engaging in sexual intercourse by force and without the consent of the victim with the use of a deadly weapon, resulting in serious injury to the victim, or committed with the aid of others, or sexual intercourse with a victim who is under the age of 13.
• Second degree forcible rape - Similar to first degree forcible rape, but the prosecution does not need to prove that the victim suffered serious injury or that the alleged offender was assisted by others in the commission of the crime. This charge may also apply if the victim was physically helpless or mentally disabled at the time of the offense.
• First degree statutory rape - Intercourse or other sex acts with a victim under 13 years old or at least 4 years younger than the defendant if the defendant is at least 12 years of age. Lack of consent is not a factor for the prosecuting attorney to prove in a statutory rape case, as the victim is younger than the age of consent.

Criminal Defense Attorney for Rape Charges

Building an aggressive defense is a necessity in the face of rape charges. Not only does an offense of this kind carry a social stigma that will follow you for life, but it may result in decades in prison. Make sure you obtain the criminal defense counsel you need if you have been accused of or are under investigation for rape in the Greenville area.