Being the target of a police investigation is frightening. When you are under investigation in a criminal matter or have been arrested for suspected involvement in a crime, getting an experienced criminal defense attorney on board as quickly as possible is critical.
When the matter involves a sex crime like sexual imposition in Pompey, contact me at Andrew H. Stevenson, Attorney at Law immediately. I am a skilled lawyer with an impressive record of success defending people accused of various types of crimes. I can support and guide you throughout the criminal proceedings and will fight to obtain the best possible outcome in your case.
Prosecutors may file a sexual imposition charge when someone alleges that you engaged in offensive touching involving erogenous zones. Ohio Revised Code § 2907.01 defines erogenous zones as the thighs, pubic region, buttocks, and female breasts.
O.R.C. § 2907.06 describes the factors that could lead to a sexual imposition charge. The charge alleges that you intentionally made physical contact with the complainant for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. The law is clear that the contact must be offensive—accidental contact, or expected contact made during a medical examination, do not violate the statute.
Sexual imposition in Pomeroy, OH is a third-degree misdemeanor but could be charged as a felony if you have a prior sex crime conviction. A conviction here requires sex offender registration and could lead to incarceration, so it is essential that you work with me to fight back against this charge with the best possible defense strategy.
Sexual imposition charges can arise out of misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and an alleged victim’s misgivings after the fact. When approached by an investigating or arresting officer, you may be tempted to explain your understanding of the situation. Doing so will not help you and can harm your case immeasurably.
The best strategy is to inform the officers that you will not speak to them until your attorney is present. Contact my office as soon as you understand that you are suspected of committing sexual imposition. As an attorney who has been defending sexual imposition charges in Pomeroy for more than 20 years, I can be present when the officers conduct the interview so I can protect your rights and ensure you make no incriminating statements.
Avoid discussing the allegations with anyone but me. Do not post about it on social media or text about it, and above all, avoid all contact with your accuser.
There are two main defenses to a sexual imposition charge. One is that the alleged offensive contact never happened. The other is that the alleged victim consented to whatever activity occurred.
The prosecutor must prove that you engaged in the conduct alleged and that it was intended for sexual gratification. The law states that you cannot be convicted on the alleged victim’s testimony alone, so unless there is video evidence of the interaction or other witnesses can corroborate the allegations, claiming that offensive conduct did not occur can be an effective defense.
Consent is another potentially effective defense. Alleged victims may regret decisions they made and make false accusations to protect themselves. With thorough investigation and strict application of the law, I can often prove to a jury in Pomeroy that circumstances do not meet the elements of the sexual imposition charge.
Sexual imposition is usually a misdemeanor, but a conviction is a blot on your record that could impact your life for years. I am a seasoned attorney with experience defending against sexual imposition charges in Pomeroy and throughout Ohio. Contact me at Andrew H. Stevenson, Attorney at Law as soon as you learn you are the target of an investigation. Nothing is set in stone yet, and you have a path to clearing your name.