Elkridge Sex Crimes Lawyers

Attorneys for Charges of Prostitution, Rape, Child Pornography, and More in Elkridge, Maryland

Accusations of sex crimes can have drastic effects on people's lives. A person's friends or others who play important roles in their life may stop associating with them. An employer may place a person on leave or terminate them. Details related to accusations may be released to the public, leading to protests, threats, or other problems. At the same time, a person will need to deal with legal issues related to criminal charges, and the penalties they may face if they are convicted are likely to be harsh.

Anyone who is under investigation for a sex crime or who has been arrested and charged with an offense will need to understand the laws that may apply in their case and the options for defense that may be available. The lawyers at Law Offices of Mallon Snyder can help protect the rights of people in Elkridge who have been accused of these offenses. We understand issues that can shape these cases, and we can provide the representation needed to help clients defend against convictions that can result in severe penalties.

When defending against sex crimes, we treat every client with respect and discretion, providing steady support as we develop defense strategies that will help resolve cases successfully. We believe in standing beside our clients and making sure they know what to expect during all stages of a criminal case. We will discuss the charges against a person, the strategies that can be used to defend against a conviction, and how to prepare for court appearances, including what to wear and what to say to a judge. By standing beside our clients at all times, we can help ease the stress of cases as much as possible.

Prostitution and Related Offenses

When a person has allegedly agreed to perform a sexual act in exchange for payment, all parties involved in the transaction could be arrested and charged with offenses related to prostitution. Depending on the situation, the specific charges may include:

Engaging in Prostitution

A person who has allegedly accepted payment in exchange for sexual activity or agreed to do so could be charged with prostitution. In general, prostitution is a misdemeanor offense, and a conviction may be punishable by a sentence of up to one year in jail and/or a $500 fine.

Solicitation of Prostitution

A person who has allegedly offered to pay someone else for sex may be arrested and charged with solicitation. Arrests for solicitation may occur when police conduct undercover operations at local hotels in Elkridge or other areas where prostitution is common. An officer may post an online advertisement, exchange messages with a person, and agree to meet for sexual activity in exchange for payment, and they may then arrest the person when they arrive at a meeting place. Like prostitution, solicitation is a misdemeanor offense with a potential sentence of one year in prison and/or a $500 fine.

Promotion of Prostitution

A person who has allegedly organized or profited from prostitution may face more serious charges than those who are accused of prostitution or solicitation. Examples of activities that could lead to charges of promotion of prostitution include:

• Recruiting or Persuading: A person may be accused of encouraging another person to work in prostitution or to travel somewhere for the purpose of engaging in sexual activities in return for payment.
• Receiving Earnings: A person who has allegedly accepted money that another person earned through prostitution may be charged with promotion of prostitution.
• Providing a Location: A person may be accused of allowing prostitution to take place at a home, apartment, or business they own.

Promotion of prostitution is a misdemeanor offense, but a person who is convicted could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. They may also be fined up to $10,000.

Sex Trafficking Charges

In addition to charges of promotion of prostitution, people who have allegedly been involved in causing others to engage in prostitution could be charged with sex trafficking. This offense may involve persuading or enticing a person to engage in prostitution, transporting someone for the purpose of prostitution, using threats to force a person to engage in sexual activities, holding or destroying a person's passport or identification documents while they were engaging in prostitution, or benefiting financially from causing others to engage in commercial sex work.

While sex trafficking is generally considered to be a misdemeanor offense, it can carry serious penalties. A person who is convicted could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and/or fined up to $5,000. If an offense allegedly involved a victim who is a minor, a person may face felony charges, and they could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison and fined up to $15,000.

Rape and Sexual Assault Offenses

People may be accused of sexual assault based on claims that they had sexual intercourse with another person without consent or engaged in other forms of nonconsensual sexual contact. These offenses may be charged as rape or sexual offenses depending on the specific accusations. The charges may include:

• First-Degree Rape: While rape generally involves intercourse or other sexual acts committed by force and without consent, the most serious charges will involve accusations that a person used a weapon, inflicted a serious injury, made threats to kill or seriously injure the victim, or committed a "gang rape." The penalties for a conviction may include a sentence of life in prison.
• Second-Degree Rape: These charges may involve accusations of rape that do not involve the aggravating factors that would qualify as first-degree rape. Nonconsensual intercourse with a person who was helpless or could not consent due to issues like intoxication may also qualify. A conviction may lead to a sentence lasting for up to 20 years in prison.
• Third-Degree Sexual Offense: Sexual assault charges that involve nonconsensual contact rather than intercourse may be classified as sexual offenses. In cases involving aggravating factors like the use of a weapon, serious injuries, or threats of injury or death, sexual offenses are treated more seriously. A conviction could lead to a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
• Fourth-Degree Sexual Offense: These charges may involve other forms of sexual contact without consent. A person who is convicted may be sentenced to up to one year in jail.

Contact Our Elkridge, MD Sex Crimes Attorneys

At [[tite]], we can help clients defend against charges of prostitution, sex trafficking, sexual assault, and more. We can provide the representation needed in sensitive cases involving allegations of crimes against children, including online solicitation of a minor or possession of child pornography. We will work to ensure that our clients' rights are protected and that they will be able to avoid sex crime convictions whenever possible. Contact our Elkridge, Maryland sex crimes defense lawyers at 301-762-7500 to schedule a free consultation today.