Boston Sex Crime Defense Attorneys

A sex crime conviction can result in prison time, loss of reputation and required registration as a “sex offender” or as a “sexually dangerous person.”

At Carney, Gaudet & Carney, we understand that sex crime allegations do not equal guilt. Our skilled legal team believes your account of events and serves as your trusted advocate. Some accusations are false, misconstrued or exaggerated.

Our firm has over 52 years of experience practicing criminal law. We have represented clients in many high-profile cases throughout the Boston area and understand how to provide the strong defense you need.

Protection From Serious Sex Offenses In Boston

Our sex crime defense attorneys confidently address difficult cases and have secured not-guilty verdicts at trial and successfully had clients’ charges dismissed or reduced to more appropriate levels. We offer qualified representation for Massachusetts residents facing all manner of sex crime charges, including:

• Child pornography
• Child sex abuse
• Distribution of lewd materials
• Title IX on a college campus
• Indecent exposure
• Deriving support from prostitution
• Rape and sexual assault
• Solicitation and human trafficking
• Statutory rape

We understand how to evaluate all aspects of your case to develop a strong defense strategy. Our firm can identify and prove instances of false testimony, tampered evidence, illegally obtained evidence and other factors that could significantly impact your case’s final verdict.

Sex Offenses Penalties In Massachusetts

Depending on the severity of your charges, such as whether a weapon was involved in the alleged crime, penalties for a conviction can include substantial fines, years to life in prison, mandatory registration on the sex offender registry (possibly for the rest of your life), monitored GPS tracking, mandatory psychotherapy, probation and community service. Specifically, sex crime penalties are contingent on the specific charges:

Rape

• 20 years to life in prison and mandatory sex offender registration.

Solicitation

• Engaging, agreeing, or offering sexual contact: Up to 1 year in prison or a $500 fine.
• Paying, agreeing to pay, or offering to pay for sexual conduct: 2.5 years in prison or a $1,000 – $5,000 fine.
• Involving a child under 18: Up to 10 years in state prison, or 2.5 years in the house of corrections, and a $3,000 – $10,000 fine.

Indecent Assault and Battery

• On a person over 14: Up to 5 years in state prison or 2.5 years in the house of corrections.
• On a person under 14: Up to 10 years in state prison or 2.5 years in the house of corrections with mandatory sex offender registration.
• Sentencing judge may waive sex offender registration for offenses against persons over 14.

Child Pornography Offenses

• Possession of child pornography
  • Federal: Up to 10 years in federal prison (no mandatory minimum).
  • State first offense: Up to 5 years in prison or 2.5 years in a house of corrections, and a $1,000 – $5,000 fine.
• Production of child pornography
  • State: Not less than 10 nor more than 20 years in state prison, or a fine of $10,000 to $50,000, or both.
  • Federal first offense: Not less than 15 years nor more than 30 years in prison.
• Receipt of child pornography
  • Federal first offense: Fined under this title and imprisoned not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years.
• Distribution of child pornography
  • State: Not less than 10 nor more than 20 years in state prison, or a fine of $10,000 to $50,000, or three times the economic gain from dissemination, whichever is greater, or both.
  • Federal first offense: Fined under this title and imprisoned not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years.

What To Do If You Are Charged With A Sex Crime In Massachusetts

If accused of a sex crime, it’s crucial to protect your legal rights:

1. Refrain from discussing the case with police or anyone else until consulting a knowledgeable sex crimes attorney.
2. Secure legal representation immediately to ensure a proactive defense, as proceedings can be swift and the Commonwealth stringent.
3. Educate yourself on the charges and consequences, prepare your defense with your attorney, and understand the gravity of the situation. Innocence is not a guaranteed safeguard against conviction, and the prosecution’s case can be unpredictable. Early and expert legal intervention is vital to navigate the complexities of such serious allegations.

If you’re facing sex crime allegations, act now to safeguard your future by contacting a seasoned Boston sex crimes attorney immediately to ensure your rights are protected and to build a strong defense.

What Are the Possible Defense Strategies For A Sex Crimes Charge?

To defend against sex crime charges, your attorney will explore various strategies tailored to your case. These defenses may include:

1. Revealing the accuser’s hidden motives, possibly stemming from personal conflicts or custody battles.
2. Challenging the validity of evidence, whether through suppression due to procedural errors or re-examination by independent experts.
3. Exposing unreliable testimony, especially in cases involving children who may have been influenced by improper interviewing techniques, potentially using defense expert witnesses to highlight the inconsistencies or gaps in the state’s evidence.
4. A thorough investigation by your defense team is essential to identify and leverage these defenses effectively.

If you’re facing a sex crime charge, don’t wait—secure your defense today by contacting Carney, Gaudet & Carney. Get a team of dedicated criminal defense attorneys who will fight for you and explore every potential defense to protect your rights and future.

Sex Offenses Involving Minors

Case severity and repercussions increase if the incident involves a minor. The legal team at Carney, Gaudet & Carney can provide a qualified defense after these charges and explain the unique factors involved in your case.

Our legal team will work tirelessly to ensure your rights are protected and your case is presented in the best possible light against charges involving someone under the legal age of consent. A child’s testimony can be easily swayed to provide condemning information that lacks truth. Our team will carefully evaluate and question all unsuitable evidence. Do not leave your future to chance. Let Carney, Gaudet & Carney provide the knowledgeable sex crimes defense you require. As we represent you, we will also answer any questions you may have about your case.

What happens if I’m falsely accused of a sex crime?

Even under false allegations, you will still need to go through the criminal defense process. The first step you take should be to contact us so we can explore all options for proving your innocence.

What crimes require sex offender registration in Massachusetts?

Not every sex crime comes with mandatory registration. Some charges that do have this consequence include indecent assault and battery of a child under the age of 14 or on a mentally challenged person, rape, lewd and lascivious actions with a minor, assault to commit rape, kidnapping a child, soliciting a minor and offenses related to child pornography.

How do I clear my record?

Depending on the charges on your record, you may be able to seal your record after your conviction. Most sex offenses do not qualify to be sealed due to their unique nature, however in some situations this may not be the case and your conviction may be eligible to be sealed. There is a mandatory length of time you will need to wait before pursuing this option. In most cases, people convicted of a crime may seal their conviction after 3 years from the date of disposition or the date they ended their incarceration term for a misdemeanor, whichever is later, or seven years if the conviction is for a felony. Additionally, the person must meet certain other eligibility requirements to seal a conviction, such as no new misdemeanors within three years of the petition to seal and no new felonies within seven years of the petition to seal. We can review your unique situation and confirm your options.

Contact Our Boston Sex Crime Defense Lawyers

If you are charged with a sex crime, you need an aggressive sex crimes defense attorney to protect your future. With extensive experience in both state and federal court, our lawyers can provide the representation you need.

Call 617-404-9683 to schedule a case consultation at our Boston office. You may also contact our firm online. We will respond to your request within 24 hours.