In the state of Virginia, being charged with sexual battery is a severe and complex legal situation that may have a lasting effect on the offender’s life even if he/she was found not guilty. For example, being convicted means having to register as a sex offender, which may affect where the offender can live, what kinds of jobs the offender can have.
Simple Sexual Battery
Virginia law makes it a serious misdemeanor crime to sexually abuse another person. The offense occurs when the accused:
- Purposely touches another person’s intimate body parts (Virginia defines intimate parts as the other person’s genitals);
- Using force, threat, or intimidation;
- Or forces the person to touch the intimate body parts of the accused or another person
- With the intention to carnally molest or gratify
- Against the other person’s consent.
Aggravated Sexual Battery
Virginia law defines four instances when the carnal assault can be considered aggravated and becomes a more severe felony charge.
An aggravated sexual battery charge includes all of the factors of simple sexual battery, plus one of these allegations:
- Carnally abusing a person under the age of 13;
- Carnal abuse of a person who is mentally and/or physically disabled;
- Carnal abuse of a teenager by a parent or parent’ parents.
An aggravated carnal assault conviction can hold a prison sentence of one to 20 years and a maximum $100,000 fine.
Sexual Battery When Infected
Virginia law creates a special felony carnal assault offense when someone purposely tries to infect someone else with certain carnally transmitted diseases (STD).
The offense occurs when the offender:
- Is infected with HIV or other carnally transmitted diseases
- Is aware of it
- And has carnal contact with another person with the intention of transmitting the infection
Attempted Sexual Battery
Under Virginia law conviction for an attempted simple lewd touching carries the same punishment as a completed offense, up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
Sex Crimes Defenses
When a person is charged with sexual battery, a prosecutor generally has to prove:
- The individual did actually touch the other person’s intimate parts;
- The individual purposely did so;
- The individual had a car motive for doing so;
- The individual used force, threat, intimidation;
- The touching was against the other individual’s consent
Registering as a Sex Offender
If convicted of almost all of these crimes, the offender could be required to register in the Virginia Sex Offender Registry for the rest of his/her life. This could severely limit where the offender can live, work, and may even restrict public places where he/she can go to. If you need a Virginia Sexual Assault and Battery Crimes Defense Lawyer to help you with your Sexual Assault and Battery Crimes Defense case in Virginia, call us at 888-437-7747. Our Virginia Sexual Assault and Battery Crimes Defense Attorneys can help you.
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