Criminal Defense Stories

The term "sex offender" refers to any person convicted of Rape, Rape of a Child, Child Molestation, Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Sexual Violation of Human Remains, Incest, Communication with a Minor for Immoral Purposes, a Felony with a finding of sexual motivation, or a Federal out-of-state conviction that, under the State Law, would be classified as a felony sex offense. There are three tiers of sex offenses, and the penalties for a sex offense conviction depend on the type and level of offense. Keep in mind, though, that a conviction is not a foregone conclusion in these cases. If you have been accused of a sex crime, your case should be scrutinized for any false allegations, as well as for any violations of your rights before, during or after your arrest. What Is A Tier 3 Sex Offender ? Tier 3 is the most serious category of sex offende. Defendants get classified as Tier 3 following convictions of violent sex crimes, non-parental kidnapping, and serious crimes against ...

The Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA), which is Michigan’s sex offender registry law, requires people convicted of certain sex crimes to register as a sex offender. Some registered sex offenders fall into Tier 2, which is the middle of a three-tier system in terms of the severity of the convicted offense. What is a Tier 2 Sex Offender ? Tier II is the second most serious class of sex offenders. State law requires Tier II offenders to register for 25 years and to personally check in with police once every 180 days. Defendants are assigned Tier II status after being convicted of certain crimes against children, such as: child abuse involving sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a child at least 13 years old; sex trafficking child pornography Failing to register as a sex offender is a felony, carrying as much as four additional years in prison. Furthermore, Tier 2 offenders are never eligible to get off the Sex Offender Registry early. Registered sex offenders are required to provide...

 Sex crime charges are very different from most other types of criminal charges, in that even if unfounded and unproven, they can result in a stigma that follows you for the rest of your life. While there is little that can be done about courts of public opinion and social media juries, avoiding the harsh legal penalties that often follow a conviction for such charges must be achieved. Below, the potential consequences of a sex crime conviction are discussed. It is essential to work with a defense attorney who focuses on sex crime charges to ensure that you have the best possible chance of obtaining an acquittal. If you are convicted of some of more stringent sex offenses, you will be facing: A jail sentence measured in years and thousands of dollars in fines A criminal record that may interfere with accepting a job or  finding housing Court-ordered victim restitution Summary probation, formal probation or parole Lifetime registration on the sexual offenders list kept by the ...

 The Adam Walsh Act, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2006, set the standard for classifying sexual offenses across the country. Sexual offenses are classified according to: The crime committed The age of the people involved Whether the convicted sex offender is likely to re-offend While states were not required to follow the federal classification system, they were encouraged to do so. Like the federal law, the Michigan Sex Offender Registry divides sex offenders according to different categories, or tiers, based on the crime committed and how long they are required to remain on the Michigan sex offender list. What is a Tier 1 Sex Offender Tier I offenses are listed in MCL 28.722(s), and include all of the following offenses: Knowing possession of child sexually abusive material under MCL 750.145c Aggravated indecent exposure which is indecent exposure involving fondling under MCL 750.355a(2)(b) Unlawful imprisonment if the other person is a minor under MCL...

 One of the biggest problems a registered sex offender faces is knowing whether or not you are able to visit another country or states inside U.S - whether it be for work, vacation or making a permanent move. How Can Sex Offender Travel? There are many registered sex offenders that travel frequently and have not had any problems in the countries they have visited, however there are also many registered sex offenders who have been denied entry into those same countries without any explanation other than that they have a sex-related criminal history. Remember that one traveler’s experience may be different from another’s, so be sure to look at multiple accounts before you make your decision. The US State Department has begun revoking the passports of registered child sex offenders. The change has been made in order to comply with a law passed last year, the International Megan’s Law. Under the new law, registered sex offenders who have been convicted of an offense against a minor wil...

 Having to register as sex offender carries a stigma unlike any other punishment for a crime in this country. The same stigma applies regardless of the crime that the person committed. For example, a rapist shares the same fate as a man who as a teenager exposed himself as a high school prank. This stigma can make ordinary activities such as traveling abroad more difficult for registered sex offenders. Can Sex Offender Travel? Having a criminal record can significantly reduce your chances of traveling to other countries If you are a U.S. citizen and have a U.S. passport, you are able to enter approximately 160 countries without first applying for a Visa. The good news is that means you don’t have to spend many hours before your trip to get approval from the other country you are interested in visiting. However, the bad news is that you will only know for a fact whether you can enter the country or not when you get to the customs checkpoint at the airport. If you are denied entry, t...

 The term Criminal Sexual Conduct usually refers to an attack on a person that is sexual in nature. The legal definition of this term actually differs, however, from state to state. In some states, sexual assault is synonymous with rape forced sexual intercourse or sexual contact without consent while other states have no crime known as sexual assault and instead define sexual conduct without consent as rape, criminal sexual penetration, criminal sexual contact and sexual battery.     Sex crime charges are considered to be some of the worst crimes that a person can commit. For that reason, it is so critical to have a strong, experienced defense attorney on your side, fighting to protect you. Lots of men are in Michigan prisons today because of false accusations.     The following is a list of many of the most common types of sex crimes that are covered by the Michigan criminal code. We’ve also included brief descriptions of what each crime involves and what pena...

 Sexting is the sending or receiving of sexually suggestive images. Sexts traditionally involve the sending or receiving of nude or semi-nude images via cell phones to romantic partners or interests. This is not always the case, however, as the term sexting has come to include the transfer of images over email, social media, and video chat.   It's natural for teens to be curious about their emerging sexuality. But most middle-schoolers aren't prepared for the risks of exploring this in the digital age. Help students think critically about self-disclosure in relationships and practice how they'd respond to a situation where sexting or a request for sexting might happen.   Sexting is when people share a sexual message and/or a naked or semi-naked image, video or text message with another person. It's also known as nude image sharing. Children and young people may consent to sending a nude image of themselves. They can also be forced or coerced into sharing images by their...

 Since cell phones first saw widespread adoption in the 1990s, they've become not just ever present, but have developed vastly expanded capabilities, such as the ability to take and instantly share photos. This ability has lead to the phenomena of “sexting,” where people send suggestive or nude pictures to others using their cell phones. Some states have adopted laws that prescribe penalties aimed specifically at teenagers or adolescents who send such photos. These laws make the penalties for teen sexting less severe than if an adult would send similar photos to an under-age person. Sexting is when someone sends a photo or video of themselves or someone else naked or posing in a sexual way using a computer, mobile phone or other mobile advice. To get specific details regarding when is sexting illegal , keep reading. Sexting is illegal if you are under 18 and can be illegal if you are 18 or older. If you are under the age of 18 years, as the sender or recipient, matters are complica...