Sex with a Minor Charges in Minnesota

Minnesota Statutory Rape Penalties

You can be arrested and prosecuted in Minnesota for having sex with anyone under the age of 16, which is defined by state law as "Criminal Sexual Conduct." The penalties for statutory rape depend on two factors: the age of the alleged victim and how much older the defendant was than the victim at the time of the act in question. If the victim is younger than 13 years old and the actor was older than 16, the court may deliver a prison sentence of up to 30 years. If the actor is under 16, the sentence will be as much as 15 years. Individuals who are convicted of statutory rape when they are between 2 and 4 years older than a victim aged 13 to 16 will face up to 5 years in prison.

A guilty verdict for sex with a minor will also result in you being included in the Minnesota Predatory Offender Registration, an online database maintained by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. You will have to provide several photographs for the purpose of allowing neighbors and other members of the community to identify you, along with your home address and details of your sex crime conviction. You will have a criminal record, which may block you from gaining employment with certain companies, as well as appearing on any background check you are required to pass for housing or a loan. In the face of a prison sentence and the collateral damage that being convicted could cause to your life, you need to work with a skilled Minnesota criminal defense lawyer to develop a strategy for clearing your name of the charges.

Sex Crime Attorney in Minnesota

Fighting a statutory rape allegation takes a detailed understanding of all relevant laws, as well as the ability to engage in aggressive negotiation and litigation. Our firm has successfully resolved this type of case in the past, and we will work diligently to protect your rights. We know that being charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct can be a highly stressful experience and we understand the concerns you have for your future. We will meet with you to discuss every aspect of the case to determine the best defense for your situation.

Contact a Minnesota sex crime lawyer to find out more about what you can do to defend against allegations of sex with a minor.