Southeast and East Central Ohio Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys

Experienced and Reliable Trial Lawyers Who Champion Hundreds of Cases a Year

Sex crimes are one of the most complex cases to navigate. The consequences of an allegation are severe, and our legal team at Cross Law Office will treat your case with the meticulous attention your defense deserves. Our attorneys have settled 500-600 cases a year, so we are deeply familiar with the courtroom process and how to push forward a defense for our clients. 

We put the time in and have never backed down from a challenge. Whether you are facing sexual assault accusations or other misdemeanor or felony sex crime charges, we will utilize our legal resources as local attorneys and craft a compelling defense for you.

Schedule an initial consultation with Cross Law Office to learn more about your defense options. Defending those charged in Athens, Belmont, Coshocton, Guernsey, Jefferson, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, and Washington Counties.

Rape and Sexual Battery in Ohio

Sexual assault offenses are categorized as either rape or sexual battery in Ohio. Both these categories of sex crimes prohibit sexual conduct with another person who has not provided consent to the activity, who cannot consent, or who has been coerced. Rape and sexual battery are distinguishable by:

• Rape – engaging in sexual conduct without the other person’s consent or through the use of force or threat of force
• Sexual battery – scenarios where the offender takes unjust and unfair advantage over the other person (e.g., the offender is the alleged victim’s parent/guardian, the offender knew the alleged victim was not aware of what was going on, or the offender was in a position of authority over the alleged victim)

Rape is a first-degree felony punishable based on the circumstances. Some rape crimes carry 3-11 years in prison, while more severe offenses could send a defendant to prison for life without parole. The latter may apply to rape of an alleged victim younger than 13 years old, a crime that is punishable by a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison up to life in prison.

Sexual battery is a third-degree felony punishable by 9-60 months in jail. In serious cases, such as involving an alleged victim younger than 13 years old, the crime is a second-degree felony punishable by 2-8 years in prison. Repeat offenders will face even harsher penalties.

Sex Offender Registration

In Ohio, offenders who are convicted of rape or sexual battery are required to register as sex offenders for the following periods, based on the tier (severity) of the sex offense: 

• Tier 1 – registration for 15 years; for crimes like prostitution, public indecency before a minor, and some pandering offenses
• Tier 2 – registration for 180 days to 25 years; for crimes like child pornography, human trafficking, pandering of a minor
• Tier 3 – registration for life; for crimes like rape, sexual battery, murder involving sexual motivation

Registered sex offenders are required to provide the following personal information to the local sheriff’s office, and this information must be made publicly accessible:

• Residential address
• Work address
• Identifying characteristics
• Criminal background
• Photograph and fingerprints
• Vehicle information

Sex offenders of any tier are prohibited from living within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare center, or preschool.

Ohio also requires Tier 3 sex offenders (“sexual predators”) to community notification requirements:

• Change of Residence – Registered sex offenders must report changes to their residence or place of employment
• Neighbor Notification – Upon registration, the sex offender’s information will be dispersed in sheriff’s notices to all residential neighbors within 1,000 feet of the offender’s residence
• Community Notification – Other parties in an offender’s jurisdiction may receive notification of the registration, such as school districts, schools and daycare centers, and higher education institutions

If you have been accused of a sex crime in Athens, Belmont, Coshocton, Guernsey, Jefferson, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, and Washington Counties, reach out to our team of defense lawyers immediately. Conviction for a sex crime could hold serious lifelong consequences, including sex offender registration for life that could seriously detriment your ability to improve in the future. 

Our highly skilled team of criminal defense lawyers at Cross Law Office can take your case to court and fight for your defense amid harsh or wrongful accusations. 

Contact Cross Law Office immediately to get started on your sex crimes defense in Athens, Belmont, Coshocton, Guernsey, Jefferson, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, and Washington Counties.