Not only are you an excellent attorney, but a good person who truly cared about me and always did your best to help me. I am so grateful for being given a second chance.
—TomDave Shrager successfully lobbied for my felony charge to be completely withdrawn. His services were worth every dime. A highly personable, intelligent, and competent attorney, I would recommend Dave Shrager to my closest friends and family without hesitation.
—RonDave knows the system better than any lawyer in Pittsburgh due to his family's local and long-standing practice, and it was evident in the positive manner in which the judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers responded to Dave's arguments on my behalf.
—JimI cannot say thank you enough to David Shrager for all his help today! If it were not for this guy, I would no longer have a job or drivers license. So thanks again Dave, you're the best!
—BillI was in a bad place in my life...I was making bad decisions, which led to my having a really bad night and lots of legal trouble. I'm lucky I had Attorney David Shrager at my side. He helped guide me, with his legal expertise, through a very difficult time in my life.
—Tamika
Call 412-969-2540 to Speak Directly with Attorney David Shrager 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK

DEFENSES TO SEX CRIMES – PENNSYLVANIA LAWS

Information on Sex Crimes and Defenses to Sex Crime Charges

Sex crimes have some of the harshest penalties of any crimes in Pennsylvania and could possibly require a Federal Crime Attorney. Being charged with a sex crime can be devastating to you, your family and your reputation.

If you are found guilty, you will face years in prison, harsh fines and you will likely be required to register as a sex offender, possibly for the rest of your life.

False charges are often filed in rape cases and it is very difficult to prove or disprove.

Many people who are guilty of a rape crime do not spend any time in jail. But many people who are not guilty DO spend time in jail and have their lives turned upside down in the process.

Having an experienced and aggressive Pennsylvania Sex Crime Attorney on your side is your best chance at protecting your freedom and your future.

If you have been accused of rape, call David J. Shrager for a free consultation – he is here to help you understand your rights and aggressively defend them.

You can text or call Attorney Shrager directly at 412-969-2540 (his personal cell phone) at anytime.

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SEX CRIMES CHARGES DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU ARE GUILTY
OR THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.

CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY
FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.

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COMMON DEFENSES TO SEX CRIMES

The most common defenses to sex crimes:

  • Consent
  • Insanity or Involuntary Intoxication
  • Mistake of Age
  • Police Abuse or Mistake

CONSENT

Most sex crimes hinge on this basic criminal element. If the defendant can prove that the sexual acts or intercourse were consensual, then it is unlikely they will be found guilty of any crime. The only exception to this would be Statutory Sexual Assault, where consent is irrelevant.

Laws against rape and other sex crime laws are in place to provide protection for people from being forced against their will to participate in sex acts. If the sex is consensual, the conclusion is that no harm was inflicted.

The burden of proof is on the prosecution to show a lack of consent.

Consent in sexual activity is not an effective defense if the victim was shown to be:

  • Incapacitated;
  • A minor at the time of the alleged crime;
  • Shown to have a mental illness;
  • The consent was obtained by force, duress or deception (including drugs or alcohol).

INSANITY OR INVOLUNTARY INTOXICATION

Legal insanity is defined as “state of mind where the defendant acted without knowing the nature and quality of the conduct or without knowledge that the conduct was wrong.”

If you can prove that you were legally incapable of knowing that your actions were wrong at the time of the alleged crime, this is a valid defense to a sex crime. Additionally, if you can prove that you were somehow drugged or intoxicated by some method other than your own doing, you can use the intoxication as a defense to your actions.

In both cases, your ability to distinguish right from wrong has been affected and therefore, without intent to cause harm.

These defenses are not easy to prove to a jury. Thus, an experienced sex crime attorney is an invaluable asset in forming a proper and successful defense.

MISTAKE OF AGE

For most sex crimes, mistake of age is not a proper defense. It is only available in the specific scenario that the victim is fourteen years or older. If the victim is younger than fourteen years, this defense is unavailable to the defendant.

In addition, a mistake of age is not a valid defense to any statutory sexual assault charge.

This defense would come in most useful in the reduction of sentencing as the penalties tend to get more severe the younger the victim is at the time of the crime.

POLICE ABUSE OR MISTAKEN IDENTITY

Sex crimes are a sensitive issue and taken very seriously. People, including law enforcement and prosecutors will be looking for someone to punish for the crime. This often results in a rushes to judgment or errors in processing the case.

A seasoned sex crime attorney will be able to analyze the police files, hire experts and interview all people involved in the criminal process to ensure that no errors were made and your rights were protected.

If it is found that your rights were violated, evidence was collected improperly, or the police did not interview all potential suspects, you could have a valid defense to your sex crime charges.

How a Pennsylvania Sex Crimes Attorney Can Help

Being convicted of a sex crime is a very personal and embarrassing matter for defendants and their families. On top of the worry and stress of being on the sex offender registry and being humiliated for life as a registered sex offender, there is a deep sense of a loss of control.

Many of your basic rights get stripped away as a convicted sex offender.

Attorney David Shrager believes everyone should get a second chance. He will listen to the details of your case with understanding and empathy, not judgment, reproof or apathy. His law firm will aggressively seek action to avoid prison time or pay more fines.

Attorney Shrager specializes in sex crime defense in PA and is experienced and knowledgeable in Pennsylvania laws and U.S. Federal laws surrounding sex crimes.

If you have been arrested or think you may be charged with failing to comply to sex registry requirements, call Attorney David Shrager immediately for a free consultation.

 Shrager Defense Attorneys have extensive experience in successfully representing people accused of sex crimes.

It is important that if you face sex crime allegations to speak with a criminal attorney right away – call or text Attorney David J. Shrager for a free consultation.

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FREE Legal Consultation

Call or Text 412-969-2540 right now for a FREE initial legal consultation.
Speak directly with David J. Shrager 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Shrager Defense Attorneys in Pittsburgh, PA will attack your criminal charges in order to protect your good name. Have a sound and solid case prepared by David J. Shrager and his legal team so they can fight for your rights.

If you have been charged with, or think you may be charged with, any of the following sexual offenses, call Attorney Shrager immediately for a free consultation: