Cincinnati Rape Crimes Lawyer

Rape is one of the most serious crimes you can be accused of committing. If you are convicted of such an offense, you will likely spend years in prison – many miles away from your loving family members.

Of course, it is not a foregone conclusion that your criminal charge will become a conviction. With the help of a Cincinnati rape crimes lawyer from the law firm of Suhre & Associates, LLC, you may be able to fight back against the accusations of the state and avoid being sent to prison.

How Our Cincinnati Defense Lawyers Can Assist You with Your Rape Case

When the people of Cincinnati need help with a legal matter, they can rely on our team of criminal defense attorneys in Cincinnati here at Suhre & Associates, LLC. If you hire us to defend you against your rape charges, we will:

Protect Your Constitutional Rights

When arresting and prosecuting you on a rape charge, the police and prosecution must respect your constitutional rights. If they try to step over the line, your Suhre & Associates, LLC attorney will intervene immediately.

Negotiate a Plea Bargain Deal with the Prosecution

If the prosecutor offers you a plea bargain deal, you would be wise to spend some time negotiating its terms before thinking about signing on the bottom line. Our experienced attorneys will be more than happy to handle this negotiating on your behalf.

Argue on Your Behalf at Trial

Should your case go to trial, your fate will lie in the hands of a jury of your peers. As such, you will need to ensure that you receive a full-throated defense in court. When you hire the law firm of Suhre & Associates, that is exactly what you will get.

Do you need our rape defense attorneys to help you fight back against your criminal charges? Then please do not hesitate to reach out and arrange a free case review at our Cincinnati law offices.

Understanding Ohio’s Rape Laws

Most people would define rape as the act of engaging in sexual activity with another person without their consent. In the state of Ohio, when a person is accused of carrying out an action of this nature, they are typically charged with one of the following offenses:

Rape

Per section 2907.02 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is unlawful for a person to engage in sexual conduct with another individual under any of the following conditions:

  • Having forcefully or deceptively administered a drug or intoxicant to impair the victim’s judgment or prevent resistance
  • When the victim is younger than 13 years of age – even if the offender is unaware of that fact
  • When the offender has reasonable cause to believe that the victim’s ability to consent or resist is impaired by their age or health

This statute also states that it is illegal to compel another individual to engage in sexual conduct using force or the threat of force.

Anyone who violates this law may be charged with rape – a felony of the first degree.

For the purposes of rape and other sex offenses, section 2907.01 of the Ohio Revised Code defines “sexual conduct” as follows:

“Vaginal intercourse between a male and female; anal intercourse, fellatio, and cunnilingus between persons regardless of sex; and, without privilege to do so, the insertion, however slight, of any part of the body or any instrument, apparatus, or other object into the vaginal or anal opening of another.”

Sexual Assault/Battery

Per section 2907.03 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is illegal for a person to engage in sexual conduct with another individual when:

  • They knowingly coerce the victim to submit by means that would prevent resistance
  • They know that the victim’s ability to control their conduct is substantially impaired
  • They know that the victim is submitting because they are unaware that the act is being committed
  • They know that the victim is submitting because they believe the offender is their spouse
  • They are the victim’s parent, step-parent, or guardian
  • They are a teacher or administrator and the victim is enrolled in their school
  • They are a mental health professional and the victim is their patient
  • They are a cleric and the victim is a minor who attends their church
  • They are an officer in a prison and the victim is confined in their facility

Individuals who violate this statute can be arrested and charged with sexual battery. In Ohio, this offense is typically classified as a felony of the third degree. However, it may be upgraded to a felony of the second degree under certain circumstances.

Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor

Per section 2907.04 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is illegal for an adult to engage in sexual conduct with another individual who is between the ages of 13 and 16.

People who violate this statute can be charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor – otherwise known as statutory rape. This crime is almost always classified as a felony of the fourth degree in the Buckeye State.

Gross Sexual Imposition

Per section 2907.05 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is unlawful for a person to have sexual contact with another individual when any of the following conditions apply:

  • They compel the victim to submit by force or the threat of force
  • They forcefully or deceptively administer a drug or intoxicant to impair the victim’s judgment or ability to resist
  • They know that the victim’s judgment is impaired by a drug or intoxicant
  • The victim is younger than 13 years of age – even if the offender is unaware of that fact
  • They have reasonable cause to believe that the victim’s ability to consent or resist is impaired by their age or health

Individuals who violate this law are guilty of gross sexual imposition – an offense that is generally classified as a felony of the fourth degree.

For the purposes of this offense, section 2907.01 defines “sexual contact” as follows:

“Any touching of an erogenous zone of another, including without limitation the thigh, genitals, buttock, pubic region, or, if the person is a female, a breast, for the purpose of sexually arousing or gratifying either person”

Our law firm has been defending the people of Cincinnati against their rape, sexual abuse, and gross sexual imposition charges for many years. If you would like to have us do the same for you, all you have to do is pick up the phone and give us a call.

Consequences of a Rape Conviction in Ohio

When Ohio residents are convicted of unlawfully engaging in sexual contact or conduct, their punishment is determined by the felony level of their offense:

  • Felonies of the  First Degree: Up to 11 years of prison time and a fine of up to $20,000.
  • Felonies of the Second Degree: Up to 8 years of prison time and a fine of up to $15,000.
  • Felonies of the Third Degree: Up to 5 years of prison time and a fine of up to $10,000.
  • Felonies of the Fourth Degree: Up to 18 months of prison time and a fine of up to $5,000

People who are convicted of rape in Ohio are also forced to register as sex offenders. The length of time they must spend on the registry depends on the tier that they are placed in:

  • Tier 1: 15 years of registration
  • Tier 2: 25 years of registration
  • Tier 3: Lifetime registration

While they are on the sex offender registry, they are required to adhere to certain rules and regulations, such as:

  • Employment Restrictions: Sex offenders are often banned from working with kids.
  • Residence Restrictions: The state of Ohio does not allow sex offenders to live near schools.
  • Internet Restrictions: Convicted sex offenders cannot visit certain websites.
  • Neighbor Notification Requirements: Tier 3 offenders must tell their neighbors about their registration status.

If you have been charged with rape in Cincinnati and would like to have an experienced attorney help you fight to avoid spending the rest of your life on the sex offender registry, please contact the Suhre & Associates, LLC, legal team today. We are always ready, willing, and able to assist.

Defenses Against Rape Charges

The fact that an individual has been accused of raping another person does not mean that they will be convicted of that crime. Defendants can often get their charges dismissed or reduced by proving that:

  • The alleged sexual activity never happened
  • The victim consented to the sexual activity
  • The prosecution does not have enough evidence to prove its case
  • Their constitutional rights were violated during the investigation

Would you like to have one of our attorneys help you devise an effective defense against your sex crimes charges? Then please give us a call and set up a free consultation at our law office in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Your Experienced Rape Crimes Lawyer in Cincinnati

When the people of Hamilton County need a law firm to help them fight back against their rape charges, they know they can count on Suhre & Associates, LLC. Our team’s experience in the legal field and knowledge of Ohio law allows us to handle even the most complex criminal cases. To learn more about our services or set up a free consultation with one of our attorneys, all you need to do is give us a call at (513) 333-0014 or contact us online.