Indecent Assault in Pennsylvania

Facing charges of Indecent Assault or Aggravated Indecent Assault can completely disrupt your daily life. These allegations can ruin your reputation in the community, create severe tension in your marriage, and cause major setbacks in your career. Unfortunately, the social stigma attached to these kinds of accusations often makes the public assume you are guilty long before a court reaches any verdict. Because of this incredibly stressful environment, finding immediate legal help is absolutely essential.

Important Facts About Indecent Assault

In Pennsylvania, indecent assault involves allegations of non-consensual physical contact with another individual using bodily fluids such as semen, urine, or feces. Generally, the accused in these situations allegedly:

• Failed to obtain the necessary consent from the other party.
• Used physical force or the threat of force.
• Initiated the physical contact with specific sexual intent.
• Carried out the act while the supposed victim was unaware or unconscious.
• Incapacitated the alleged victim by administering alcohol or drugs.
• Made contact with a person between 13 and 15 years old, while the accused is over 20 years old and not their spouse.
• Committed the act against a minor under the age of 13.
• Made contact with someone who could not legally consent due to a mental disability.

The exact severity of these charges will fluctuate based on case circumstances, the frequency of the acts, and other determining variables. Consequently, the offense can be classified as anything from a misdemeanor to a serious felony. If you are dealing with these frightening accusations, securing a highly qualified Pittsburgh criminal lawyer right away is vital to protect your future.

Understanding Aggravated Indecent Assault Charges

• Crime Severity: Aggravated Indecent Assault includes the non-consensual penetration of the genitals or anus, making it a highly serious offense.
• Use of Force: The accused allegedly utilizes force or threatens violence during the encounter.
• No Legitimate Purpose: The penetration has no lawful justification, such as necessary medical, hygiene, or law enforcement duties.
• Victim Awareness: The alleged victim is unconscious or completely unaware when the penetration happens.
• Substance Administration: Drugs or alcohol might be used to strip the victim of their awareness.
• Mental Disability: The victim has a mental condition that legally prevents them from giving consent.
• Age Factors: The alleged victim is younger than 13, or younger than 16 while the accused is 20 or older and unmarried to them.

If convicted, an offender might face a maximum of 10 years behind bars, which can increase to 20 years if the incident involves a child. Consulting an experienced Pittsburgh DUI attorney or defense counsel is imperative to build a robust defense, which often involves proving the act was fully consensual and involved adults.

Steps to Take if You Face Indecent Assault Charges

Should you find yourself accused of these severe crimes, staying calm is your best initial strategy. Keep the following steps in mind:

• Hire a dedicated Pittsburgh criminal lawyer who understands sex crime defense.
• Clearly state your right to have legal representation present.
• Politely refuse to answer police questions or give statements without your attorney.
• Do not try to explain the incident or talk your way out of the charges.
• Try to remain as cooperative and polite as possible with arresting officers.
• Expect that you may need to spend the night in a jail cell.

How Logue Law Group Can Defend You

Logue Law Group is a premier criminal defense group in Pittsburgh known for our aggressive advocacy and steadfast professionalism. Whether you need a defense attorney or a seasoned Pittsburgh DUI attorney, our legal team carefully examines all the evidence filed against you and aggressively attacks any false claims made in the courtroom. If a conviction is unavoidable, we fight relentlessly to achieve the most lenient sentence possible.

A conviction for indecent assault or aggravated indecent assault will alter your life forever. The defense team at Logue Law Group is dedicated to giving you the fierce representation you deserve. We know that every single client is entitled to a fair fight within the justice system, and we will explore every legal avenue to secure it.

Contact us today at 412.387.6901 for a complimentary initial consultation. Alternatively, you can reach out to a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer online using the provided form.