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Gross Sexual Imposition in Pomeroy

Gross sexual imposition is a serious criminal charge that can alter the course of your life. However, everyone gets their day in court and you have the same right as everyone else to argue your innocence and defeat the charge. If you are in this situation, you need a sex crimes attorney with a proven track record.

I devote my practice to defending individuals accused of sex crimes and other serious offenses. I combine meticulous investigation, deep legal knowledge, forensic insight, and a commanding courtroom presence to defend you against charges of gross sexual imposition in Pomeroy, OH.

Understanding the Gross Sexual Imposition Charge

Ohio Revised Code § 2907.05 says gross sexual imposition involves having sexual contact with another person who is not your spouse, under specific prohibited circumstances. Under Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.01, sexual contact includes touching the person’s erogenous zones—such as their thighs, pubic region, buttocks, genitals, or female breasts—with intent to arouse or gratify. Even intending to gratify the other person, not yourself, can meet this element.

One or more of the following factors must also be present in order for you to be charged with this elevated crime:

  • Using or threatening to use sufficient force to overcome the person’s will
  • Having any type of sexual contact with a child under the age of 13 because they cannot legally consent to sexual activity
  • Drugging or intoxicating the person intentionally to weaken their resistance
  • Engaging in sexual contact when the person is unable to consent because of a physical or intellectual disability or voluntary intoxication
  • Engaging in sexual contact while the person’s judgment is impaired during a medical or dental procedure

Pomeroy gross sexual imposition cases often hinge on the accuser’s credibility. In some situations, their testimony may be the sole evidence, which provides an opening for our defense arguments.

Penalties Upon Conviction

A conviction in a gross sexual imposition case is typically a fourth-degree felony carrying six to 18 months in prison, fines of up to $5,000, and Tier I sex offender registration for 15 years. If the accuser is under 13 or drugs or alcohol were involved, the offense is elevated to a third-degree felony punishable by one to five years in prison and Tier II sex offender registration for 25 years.

Defenses to Gross Sexual Imposition

Defending gross sexual imposition charges in Pomeroy requires strategic analysis of the facts and legal elements. Common defenses include:

  • Consent: Asserting that if both parties were over 16 and the contact was voluntary, the conduct may not meet the statute’s criteria
  • No sexual contact: Demonstrating that no sexual contact occurred or that the accuser was mistaken or made a false claim
  • Accuser lied about not being a minor: The act occurred consensually, but the person in question claimed to be in the age of majority

Every case is unique. I tailor my defenses to the specific facts of my clients’ cases and strive to create reasonable doubt about the gross sexual imposition charges that have been brought against them.

What Should You Do if You Have Been Charged?

The early stages of a sex crime investigation are critical. If you learn you are under investigation, you should contact me immediately. If you have already been arrested for alleged gross sexual imposition, you should not speak to Pomeroy police officers or prosecutors. Anything you say can be used against you.

If you appear in court before hiring criminal defense counsel, you should plead not guilty and contact my law firm right away. Even if you believe there has been a misunderstanding, you should not try to explain yourself to the police.

Call Now if Pomeroy Authorities Have Charged You With Gross Sexual Imposition

Gross sexual imposition is one of the state’s most serious sex crime charges. Whether your case involves disputed consent or claims involving a minor, you need an attorney who understands both the law and the high stakes.

I bring more than 25 years of courtroom experience and forensics training to every case involving gross sexual imposition in Pomeroy. I could build a strong defense for you in this difficult time, so call my law firm today to schedule a free case evaluation.