Pennsylvania Sexual Offenses
Sexual crimes in Pennsylvania are serious offenses often times carrying penalties including fines, court costs, restitution, as well as, prison sentences and registration in the sex offender database. Being investigated or charged with a sexual based offense often times carry negative social connotations that can result in loss of friends, family, and even possibly cost you your career.
If you are being investigated or have been charged with a sexual offense, such as, rape, sexual assault or unlawful contact with a minor, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania contact our law office to discuss how to proceed with your case.
Types of Sex Crimes and penalties
Rape
Rape occurs if a person engages in sexual intercourse with another:
- By forcible compulsion or threat of forcible compulsion
- Who is unconscious or unaware that the sexual intercourse is occurring
- When drugs, intoxicants or other means are administer or employed without the knowledge of the complainant for the purpose of preventing resistance.
- Who suffers from a mental disability which renders them incapable of consent.
Statutory Sexual Assault
Statutory Rape occurs if a person engages in sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16 and they are not married.
Statutory Rape is considered a second degree felony if the accused is 4 years older but less than 11 older than the complainant.
Statutory Sexual Assault is considered a first degree felony if the accused 11 or more years or older than the complainant.
Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (IDSI)
IDSI occurs when a person forces another to engage in anal or oral intercourse.
IDSI with a victim younger than 13 years of age carries a mandatory sentence of not less than 20 and no more than 40 years in prison. If serious bodily injury occurs during the incident a mandatory sentence of life in prison is imposed.
Sexual Assault
Engaging in nonconsensual sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse with another is considered sexual assault. This is considered a second degree felony and results in not less than 5 but no more than 10 years in prison.
Other type of Sexual Offenses
- Aggravated Indecent Assault
- Indecent Assault
- Incest
- Endangering the Welfare of Children
- Obscene and other sexual materials and performances
- Corruption of Minors
- Sexual Abuse of Children
- Unlawful Contact with a Minor
- Sexual Exploitation of Children
For more information on the sex crimes listed above and more visit the The Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Megans Law
Megans Law is the informal name of the law that requires law enforcement to make information available to the public in regards to registered sex offenders.
Crimes that require 10 year registration under Megans Law include:
- Indecent assault, which is a misdemeanor in the first degree or higher.
- Incest, where the victim is 12 years of age or older, but under the age of 18 years.
- Obscene and other sexual materials where the victim is a minor.
- Sexual abuse of children.
- Unlawful contact with a minor.
- Sexual exploitation of children.
Crimes that require lifetime registration under Megans Law include:
- Rape
- Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse.
- Sexual Assault.
- Aggravated Indecent Assault.
- Incest.
If you are being investigated or have been charged with a sexual offense, such as, rape, sexual assault or unlawful contact with a minor, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania contact our law office to discuss how to proceed with your case.
For more detailed information about the penalties associated with sexual offenses call us at (570) 207-7108 or Email Us.
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