What Are Some Defenses to Allegations of Date Rape?
Criminal charges for date rape are some of the most serious charges that a person can face. If an individual is convicted, they can incur high monetary fines and jail time. They might also be deemed a sex offender and have to register for either 15 years or life.
If you are currently facing a criminal charge for date rape, it’s essential that you have a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer representing you as soon as possible. The experienced attorneys at Cohen Law Offices can meet with you right away to discuss the circumstances of your arrest and develop a plan of action for moving forward and obtaining a favorable result for you.
Defining Date Rape
In a nutshell, date rape is forced, non-consensual sexual contact that happens between two individuals who knew each other previously. In some instances, the two individuals are in a dating relationship. Alternatively, they might have just met one another at a social function. Even in instances where two individuals were previously intimate with one another, date rape can still occur.
For a person to be convicted of date rape, the prosecution has to satisfy their legal burden. Specifically, they must demonstrate that there was sexual contact without consent or that one of the participants was not legally capable of providing the necessary legal consent.
Potential Legal Defenses to Your Criminal Charge
In response to a criminal charge for date rape, the accused person can raise one or more legal defenses. If the defense is successful, it can result in the charge being overturned and the entire criminal case being dismissed.
First, the accused individual may allege that the accuser had an ulterior motive. For example, if one of the spouses was caught cheating or if there was a fight between the two individuals, a date rape accusation can materialize.
Alternatively, the accuser’s story might have various holes and inconsistencies, which your lawyer can point out at trial. Finally, the date rape incident might be a case of mistaken identity. For example, the accused individual, through witness testimony, can establish that they were somewhere else at the time of the alleged incident.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney About Your Legal Matter Today
If you are currently facing criminal charges for date rape and have a court date, you should speak with an experienced defense lawyer as soon as possible. We can determine if you are eligible to assert a defense to your criminal charge and, if so, present that defense when you go to court for your hearing or trial. Our legal team will do everything possible for you to attain the best possible result in your case. For a free case evaluation and consultation with a criminal defense attorney, please call Cohen Law Offices today at (715) 514-5051 or contact us online.
