Abogado Delitos Sexuales Maryland Leyes Delitos Sexuales Rockville

Maryland sex crime laws are divided into 4 degrees that are differentiated by acts or contact of a sexual nature and whether or not the crime was violent. The four grades are listed below:

1st Degree: This offense is very serious because it is similar to rape of the same degree, with the only difference being whether or not the victim underwent sexual acts rather than vaginal intercourse. In addition, the 2 main elements that are needed to prove that the offender is guilty are:

• • • Engaging in sexual acts without the consent of the victims.
    • The offender must also commit one of the following: threaten the victim with abduction, disfigurement, death, and suffocation, use a weapon on the victim, cause serious injury to the victim, and be assisted in committing the sexual acts on the victim, among others .

Additionally, the penalty for this crime in Maryland is increased when children are the victims, which can result in a life sentence without parole.

Also, if the offender is 18 years old and the victim is under 13, the penalty is 25 years in prison with the possibility of life without parole.

Second degree: This is similar to the same degree rape, with the only difference being whether or not the victim underwent sexual acts instead of vaginal intercourse. In addition, the 2 main elements that are needed to prove that the offender is guilty are:

• • • Engaging in non-consensual sexual acts with the victim.
    • The offender must also commit one of the following acts: the victim is under the age of 14, while the offender is 4 years older, the victim has physical and mental problems, and the offender is aware of and threatens to use force.

Also, the penalty for this crime in Maryland is a 20-year prison sentence, however, if the offender is at least 18 years old and the victim is under 13, the sentence is 15 years to life.

Third Degree: This crime shares similar circumstances with the second degree sexual offense, however, the third degree covers some situations of sexual act that are not found in the first or second degree sexual offenses and they are:

• • • The offender who is at least 21 years of age engages in sexual acts with victims under the age of 16 and victims.
    • The offender commits sexual acts with victims under the age of 14, while the offender is 4 years older than them.

The penalty for this sex crime is a 10-year prison sentence in Maryland.

Fourth Degree: There are a number of misconducts that can be classified as fourth degree sexual offenses and they are:

• • • The offender commits sexual contact with a person without their consent.
    • The offender is under the age of 21, but is still at least 4 years older than the victim, and the victim is under the age of 16 when the sexual acts were committed.
    • The assailant is under the age of 21, but is still at least 4 years older than the victim, just as the victim is under the age of 16 when vaginal intercourse occurred
    • The offender is 21 years old and holds a position of authority in the school where the victim (under 18) attends.

The penalty for this crime in Maryland is 1 to 3 years in prison or a $1,000 fine, with the offender potentially getting both.

In addition, the penalties for attempted sexual offense are a possible life sentence for a first degree attempted sexual offense and a sentence of 20 years in prison for a second degree attempted sexual offense.

If you need a Maryland sex crimes attorney to help you with your Maryland sex crimes case, call us at 888-437-7747. Our Maryland sex crimes attorneys can help. C