If someone accuses you of a sex offense, the situation could escalate quickly and carry life-altering consequences. A date rape allegation often arises between people who already know each other, which makes these cases factually complex and legally aggressive. As a Pickerington date rape lawyer, I focus on direct defense strategy, evidence analysis, and controlled communication from the very first moment your future is at risk.
A sex crime allegation is a criminal defense matter that requires precision, restraint, and experience. If you come to me for help, I will not judge you. You are coming to Andrew H. Stevenson Attorney at Law, LLC, because you need an attorney who understands how the state prosecutes these cases and how to properly defend them.
The state does not use the phrase date rape in statute. These accusations are prosecuted under Ohio Revised Code § 2907.02 (Rape) or ORC § 2907.03 (Sexual Battery). The distinction often depends on how the state alleges the encounter occurred and whether it claims the other person lacked legal capacity to consent.
Many of these cases involve alcohol, social settings, or dating relationships. The prosecution frequently attempts to reinterpret what occurred based on statements made after emotions have escalated. These investigations move rapidly, and once prosecutors file charges, they are difficult to contain without immediate legal intervention with my help as a date rape attorney in Pickerington.
There are only two defenses that really apply in a date rape case under state law. The first defense is that the encounter was consensual. However, verbal consent is not always clear, and digital communication, behavior before and after, and third-party observations often become central to the defense. Notably, simply being intoxicated does not mean that any sexual activity is considered date rape, despite what some college institutions might try to portray.
The second defense is that the incident did not happen or that the accused is not the offender. False accusations arise for many reasons, including:
Not every accusation is rooted in fact, and the burden of proof always remains on the state.
No other defenses belong in these cases, and a disciplined defense does not introduce unnecessary narratives. As your attorney, I focus only on what the law recognizes as date rape in Pickerington and what the evidence may truly prove.
Sex offense cases frequently rely on forensic testing. I graduated from the National Criminal Defense College and have received advanced training in forensic analysis, which includes the handling and interpretation of DNA evidence. Under ORC § 2907.02, physical evidence often drives charging decisions, but laboratory testing is not infallible.
Collection errors, testing delays, contamination, chain-of-custody failures, and misinterpretation all occur. As a Pickerington lawyer, I analyze how evidence was obtained in date rape assault cases, whether testing protocols were followed, and whether conclusions exceed what science supports.
You should also not speak to police without legal protection in place. Statements made early in a sex crime investigation often become the backbone of the state’s case. Silence is not obstruction; it is your constitutional protection. Once legal counsel is involved in representing you, communication becomes controlled, accurate, and legally appropriate.
Every case begins with a full review of the state’s evidence and its charging theory. I carefully and thoroughly examine:
My role is not to speculate. My duty as your lawyer is to expose weaknesses in proof, confront procedural violations, and present a controlled, evidence-driven defense.
If you are under investigation or have already received charges, the immediate defense strategy matters. As a Pickerington date rape lawyer, I could act quickly to preserve evidence, protect your rights, and prevent irreversible mistakes.
I maintain open communication, so contact me today, and I could answer all your questions. No matter how serious the allegation, you need someone defending you, and I am trained and ready to do that.