Sometimes the true victim of a “sex crime” is the defendant. The Savannah-based Goad Law Firm has helped far too many men facing criminal charges for sex offenses restore their good names or avoid prosecution altogether.

Most of our Savannah clients facing criminal charges for a sex offense have never been accused of a crime in their lives before they are blindsided by accusations of an alleged sex offense. 

The motivation seems to vary from one accuser to the next. But one thing is always true – the defendant’s life is forever changed. His relationships with his family members, friends, co-workers, and colleagues are often stressed and sometimes ruined. These same men often lose their jobs entirely simply because they have been accused. The emotional and financial consequences of the charges alone are incalculable.

If you have been charged with rape, you need a Savannah GA sex crimes attorneys who will truly listen to you and fight for you.  

You also need someone who understands the intricacies of Georgia’s Rape Shield Statute. The Rape Shield Statute, O.C.G.A. 24-4-412, prohibits a great deal of evidence from being introduced at trial in order to “shield” the “victim” from improper character assassination.  

Although the stated purpose of the statute may be admirable, the statute can also prevent a defendant from asserting a valid defense in some instances, unless a knowledgeable sex offense lawyer files the appropriate pre-trial motions with the Court.

A person convicted of rape can be punished by death, by imprisonment for life without parole, by imprisonment for life with the possibility of parole, or by a split sentence of prison time not less than 25 years and not exceeding life to be followed by probation for life. In addition, the convicted person could be placed on the Sex Offender Registry for life. For all of these reasons, you need to have the best possible representation.

What Is Statutory Rape?

Statutory rape occurs when a person engages in sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years old. It does not require any force to be used. It is a strict liability crime meaning the only thing that matters is the age of the accused and the alleged victim. The age of consent in Georgia is 16. In other words, an individual has to be at least 16 to be legally able to give their consent to sexual activities. Individuals younger than 16 can’t give consent. 

Statutory rape may be charged as a misdemeanor offense or a felony offense, depending upon the ages of the participants.  

Misdemeanor Statutory Rape

Georgia law, O.C.G.A. 16-6-3 (c), states if the victim is at least 14 years old but less than 16 years old and the person convicted of statutory rape is 18 years of age or younger and is no more than four years older than the victim, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Felony Statutory Rape

It is difficult for many to understand how a consensual sexual encounter could be a felony.  But, in the eyes of the law, anyone under the age of sixteen is unable to provide consent. This is a legal fiction. But, it is still the law in the State of Georgia. Even more frustrating, often times the minor will appear to be an adult, behave as an adult, and even claim to be an adult. This is no legal defense.

A conviction for a sex crime carries significant penalties now and collateral consequences long after the sentence is served. If you are facing rape, date rape, or other sex crime charges, don’t try to represent yourself and risk subjecting yourself to severe penalties and other serious consequences.