New York Sex Crimes Attorney

At Sullivan & Galleshaw, we believe our clients deserve compassionate legal advocacy, no matter how complex or serious the allegations. Our sex crimes attorneys handle a wide array of misdemeanor and felony charges, and are proud to serve the residents of New York City and the surrounding metropolitan area. We offer free, no-obligation consultations for new clients, and will always keep your information confidential.

To set up a free and private case evaluation, call our law offices at (800) 730-0135 today.

New York Sex Crimes and Penalties

New York law recognizes many different sex offenses, which range in their definitions and penalties. While some are classified as misdemeanors, many are considered serious felony crimes. As your court date approaches, it’s important to have a good understanding of the nature of the charges against you.

• Aggravated Sexual Abuse
  • Statute – §130.65-a – §130.67
  • Grading – Class E – B Felony
  • Definition – Refers to non-consensual sexual touching, or inserting an object into another person’s body. Charged when the victim is younger than 17 years old and/or is physically helpless. Can also be charged if the victim is injured.

• Criminal Sexual Acts
  • Statute – §130.40 – §130.50
  • Grading – Class E – D Felony, Class B Felony
  • Definition – Refers to engaging in sexual conduct with a person who cannot consent. The charges become more serious as the victim’s age decreases.

• Forcible Touching
  • Statute – §130.52
  • Grading – Class A Misdemeanor
  • Definition – Refers to touching, pinching, grabbing, or squeezing another person’s body without his or her consent.

• Persistent Sexual Abuse
  • Statute – §130.53
  • Grading – Class E Felony
  • Definition – Charged when the defendant allegedly commits forcible touching or sexual abuse in the third or second degree, and has at least two convictions of the same offense(s) from within the past 10 years.

• Predatory Sexual Assault
  • Statute – §130.95
  • Grading – Class A-II Felony
  • Definition – Charged when the defendant allegedly commits rape, criminal sexual acts, aggravated sexual abuse, or sexual conduct against a child in the first degree, and either (1) injures the victim, (2) uses or threatens to use a weapon or other dangerous item, or (3) has a previous sex offense conviction.

• Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child
  • Statute – §130.96
  • Grading – Class A-II Felony
  • Definition – A child is anyone under the age of 13 years old. The defendant must have been at least 18 years old at the time the assault was allegedly committed.

• Rape
  • Statute – §130.25 – §130.35
  • Grading – Class E – D Felony, Class B Felony
  • Definition – Refers to sexual intercourse without the victim’s consent. A defendant can also be charged with rape if he or she is over 21 years old and has intercourse with someone younger than 17 years old. This is commonly referred to as “statutory rape.”

• Sexual Abuse
  • Statute – §130.55 – §130.65
  • Grading – Class B – A Misdemeanor, Class D Felony
  • Definition – Refers to sexual contact without the victim’s consent. Sexual abuse becomes a felony offense when the defendant uses force, or the alleged victim is younger than 13 to 11 years old.

Class B Misdemeanors can be penalized with a maximum sentence of three months plus a maximum fine of $500, while Class A Misdemeanors are punishable by up to $1,000 in fines plus as much as one year in jail.

Non-drug felony fines are uniform: either $5,000, or double the amount the defendant earned by committing the crime, whichever number is larger. New York’s maximum felony sentences are as follows:

• Class E Felony – Up to 4 years
• Class D Felony – Up to 7 years
• Class C Felony – Up to 15 years
• Class B Felony – Up to 25 years
• Class A Felony – Possible life sentence

Are There Any Defenses Against My Charges? 

Depending on what you’re being charged with, you may have some potential defenses against the allegations.

Consequences of the Sex Offender Registry

Not only does the Sex Offender Registry carry an extremely negative social stigma, it also places rigid restrictions on virtually every aspect of registrants’ everyday lives. People placed on the Registry are heavily restricted in terms of where they can live, the types of places they can visit, the types of jobs they can have, the sorts of items they can possess, and even the people they are allowed to contact.

If you are placed on the Sex Offender Registry, your sensitive personal details will be publicly available to anyone with an internet connection. That includes your full name, your address, your date of birth, what you were convicted of, the age of the victim, and whether you used force or weapons.

Level 1 offenders must register for 20 years. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders must register for life.

If you’ve been placed under arrest, you need to seek legal help immediately. Call the New York sex crimes lawyers of Sullivan & Galleshaw today at (800) 730-0135 for a free and confidential consultation.