Sex Crimes

Allegations of sex crimes are extremely serious, and a conviction can have lifelong repercussions. Maryland’s legislature has enacted comprehensive legislation to criminalize unwanted sexual conduct. Maryland statutes often overlap, which means someone may face multiple charges for a single incident. If you are facing allegations of sex crimes in Maryland, it is crucial to understand what constitutes a sex crime, the potential consequences—including jail time—and why a strong defense is non-negotiable. The attorneys at Silverman Thompson have extensive experience in handling these sensitive cases and will ensure that your case is tried fairly.  

In Maryland, statutes prohibiting sex crimes encompass a wide range of illegal behaviors, all involving sexual misconduct or exploitation. These crimes include but are not limited to, rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment. Because of the variety of sex crimes, a wide range of penalties exists, which are serious and may include life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, depending on the alleged offense.  

Many sex crimes stem from sexual acts involving individuals where the victim is under 16 and the perpetrator is at least 4 years older. Such illegal sexual behavior can lead to convictions for various offenses, including second-degree rape, third-degree sexual offense, and fourth-degree sexual offense. Penalties for these crimes vary: second-degree rape can result in up to 20 years in prison, third-degree sexual offense up to 10 years, and fourth-degree sexual offense up to 1 year.  

Some sex crimes also mandate minimum sentences. For example, if a person over the age of 18 is charged with first-degree rape of a child under 13, they face a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison, and the court may not suspend any part of the sentence. Severe sentences like this underscore the importance of having a skilled criminal defense team capable of developing a comprehensive strategy to defend against these charges. 

Read More: Child Sexually Explicit Material (Child Pornography) Crimes 

Aside from the immediate penalties of jail time and fines, Maryland also requires that individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses must register as sex offenders. Registration as a sex offender can severely restrict your personal and professional opportunities. A registered sex offender will likely face: 

• Difficulty finding employment: Many employers conduct background checks, and a sex crime conviction can lead to automatic disqualification. 

• Loss of community standing: Your reputation within your community may be irreparably damaged. 

• Family and social consequences: Relationships with loved ones may suffer, and you may face exclusion from social circles. 

In the face of such damaging consequences, a sex crime charge demands swift and decisive action. The ramifications of a conviction are severe, impacting every aspect of your life. By securing strong legal representation from the beginning, you ensure you can best defend against the State’s charges. 

The Silverman Thompson team of criminal defense lawyers has years of experience defending against sex crimes. Senior Partners Andrew C. White and Brian Thompson lead the team with robust knowledge of these types of cases. 

Mr. White was the Division Chief of the Sexual Offense Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office during his decade-long tenure at that office. He has decades of experience navigating these sensitive and challenging issues and generating results for his clients.  

Before co-founding the Firm, Mr. Thompson was an Assistant State’s Attorney, and as a defense attorney he has handled scores of these cases and developed a particular expertise and track record of generating results in sensitive and challenging sex crime cases. 

If you or a loved one requires defense in a case regarding sex crimes, please contact us toll-free at 800-385-2243 for a free consultation.   

Disclaimer: This page is informative in nature. The information contained herein is not to be considered legal advice and there is no attorney-client relationship formed between Silverman Thompson and the reader.