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Whenever an allegation of rape is made, the accused may face lifelong consequences. A rape conviction can come with lengthy incarceration, sex offender registration, and lasting social scorn long after the penalties have been paid and time has been served.
If you have been accused of rape, sodomy, or unlawful penetration, you don’t need anyone to tell you how devastating these charges can be. What you do need to hear is that there is someone who will stand up for you during this difficult time and that a mere accusation does not automatically mean that you will be convicted. Both of these things are true. Portland sex crimes defense attorney Jeff Siefman is ready to stand by you and fight for your rights, freedom, and reputation. Contact him at (503) 395-2135 to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case right away.
The state of Oregon separates sex crimes into different categories based on the nature of the allegations. The three main categories are:
Within these categories, there are varying degrees (first, second, and third) that further define the seriousness of the charge. Below are the specific charges and degrees that a defendant may face:
A person may be charged with rape if they have sexual intercourse with another without their consent. This occurs upon penetration but does not require any emission. The different degrees of rape include:
Sodomy is a serious charge that involves “deviate sexual intercourse.” In Oregon, this is defined as sexual conduct involving the sexual organs of one individual and the mouth or anus of another. The different degrees of sodomy include:
The act of penetrating the vagina, anus, or penis of another person with any object other than the mouth or penis is considered unlawful sexual penetration. There are two different degrees of this crime, which include:
If you have been accused of a sex crime like any of those listed above, it is critical that you hire an experienced sex crimes defense attorney immediately. The police will be conducting a thorough investigation, so you need an attorney who will do the same for you. If the accuser’s story changes, if evidence is lost, or if witnesses are not available, you need to know right away.
During our investigation, we often find that the alleged victim’s story is not credible. They may have offered different versions of the story, may have a history of making false accusations, or they may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time. The detectives and prosecution need to be aware of this information, and we may be able to convince them to reduce the charges against you or drop the case altogether. If they insist on proceeding with the case, we will show this evidence to the jury and will question the credibility of your accuser.
It is important to note that in Oregon, claiming ignorance or “making a mistake” is not usually an effective defense strategy. Oregon criminal statutes specifically reference the fact that not being aware of a person’s age or mental capacity to consent is not a credible defense, unless the defendant can prove that they reasonably believed the person was above the specified age at the time of the offense, which can be very difficult to prove.
With more than a decade of experience helping individuals accused of crimes in Portland and across Oregon, attorney Jeff Siefman is ready to help you if you’ve been accused of a sex crime. Don’t let these allegations derail your life and ruin your reputation. The sooner you reach out for help, the stronger your defense will be. Contact Jeff at (503) 395-2135 to schedule a consultation right away.