Sex Crimes

Rape Laws, Defenses and Penalties

Rape is sexual intercourse that is forced on another without the person's consent or against the person's will. This act is criminalized throughout the United States, but the legal term for it varies from state to state.

What Is Date Rape?

Sexual assault perpetrated by an acquaintance, such as a date, is still rape. A relationship between the victim and defendant doesn't negate the crime. But issues of proof can make these cases hard to prove.

Sexual Assault Laws and Penalties

The term sexual assault, in layperson terms, usually refers to an attack on a person that is sexual in nature. The legal definition of this term actually differs, however, from state to state.

Aggravated Sexual Assault Charges and Penalties

States often elevate sexual assault, sexual battery, and rape crimes to aggravated offenses if they involve bodily harm, threats of harm, vulnerable victims, or other harmful conduct.

Sexual Misconduct Laws, Charges, and Defenses

A person in a position of power commits the crime of sexual misconduct by taking advantage of that position to enter into a sexual relationship with a person under his or her authority.

Sodomy Laws

In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court declared sodomy laws unconstitutional. Historically, sodomy (usually defined as oral and anal sex) was a crime in many states, even when the acts were performed in private, between two consenting adults.

Sex Offense Appeals

If you are convicted of a crime, including a sex crime, you may want to appeal the verdict. During the appeals process, the convicted person asks an appellate court to review and overturn the judge or jury’s decision or sentence.

Incest Laws and Criminal Charges

An overview of the legalities of incest, different forms of acts of incest that are considered illegal, pressing charges for incest, defenses, penalties that may occur, and how a lawyer can help.

Public Lewdness Laws and Penalties

Public lewdness refers to indecent or obscene behavior in public. These laws protect society from public conduct considered immoral and inappropriate.

Is Sexual Harassment in the Workplace a Crime?

Sexual harassment, if accomplished by acts that are crimes, can become a criminal matter.

Sextortion: Laws, Penalties, and Help for Victims

Sexual extortion (“sextortion”) is an increasingly common form of blackmail that involves threats to expose sexual images.

State and Federal Sex Offender Registration Laws

Sex offenders must register with state authorities for years after release, and their status as a sex offender affects and limits many aspects of their lives.

State Civil Commitment for Sex Offenders

Sex offender registration is one of the post-sentence penalties that states impose on people convicted of certain sexual offenses. Twenty states (and the federal government) also have “sexual predator” laws.

Can Registered Sex Offenders Be Barred From Using Social Media?

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a law preventing registered sex offenders from using social media such as Facebook and Instagram.

Steps to Take If You Are Accused of Child Molestation

Here are some important steps to take if you've been falsely accused of this serious crime.

Caught Having Sex in Public: Laws, Charges, and Penalties

In most states, the laws that criminalize public sex make it a misdemeanor. Some state laws explicitly criminalize public sexual activity. Other laws are broader and cover a variety of indecent or lewd conduct.

I'm Being Charged With Rape: What Should I Do?

Rape is a serious felony charge with severe penalties. Here's what to do if you are facing rape charges, and how a lawyer could help.

In a Rape Case, Can a Defendant Bring up Their Accuser's Sexual History?

In most, but not all rape cases, the defendant cannot introduce evidence of the victim's sexual history in an attempt to disprove the prosecution's case.

Differences Between Rape, Sexual Battery, and Sexual Assault

Rape, sexual assault, and sexual battery are often used interchangeably in the law and by laypersons. What sexual assault means in one state might not be the same in another state. Learn how to distinguish these crimes.

Can someone be convicted of raping a person if they had consensual sex in the past?

If two people are dating or previously have had consensual sex for any reason, the consent to prior sexual acts does not extend to future occasions.