Rape

Rape is considered second only to murder in seriousness. A rape conviction carries a long prison sentence and mandatory sex offender registration. These cases are vigorously prosecuted and often rely on complex scientific evidence. Many rape cases involve an initial investigation before charges are filed. If you are being investigated or have been charged with rape, you need a lawyer who is prepared to step up and fight for you.

False convictions happen all too often in rape cases. The emotions surrounding a rape case can obscure the truth. Sometimes a victim can be mistaken about certain facts or even lie about facts. The police and prosecutors may overlook or misinterpret evidence in their investigation. You need a lawyer who can sort through the conflicting stories, examine the evidence, and make sure that all of the facts come to light.

Your lawyer must take the time to understand your relationship to the accuser, and the accuser’s state of mind. There are many cases where the accuser did not say “no” or otherwise reject sexual advances, but later claims rape. There are cases where an accuser claims rape because their partner caught them cheating, and accusing you of rape would save the accuser’s relationship. There are cases where the accuser just wants someone locked up for raping them or where the police influence the accuser’s testimony.

A successful rape defense also depends on your lawyer’s ability to track down and interview witnesses. Witnesses can support your alibi. A witness can also tell me if the accuser had ever threatened you or had a grudge against you. Successful witness interviews also involve electronic data gathering from sources like emails, instant messages, text messages, and social network sites like Facebook or MySpace. Your lawyer needs to understand how technology can aid in the witness interview process.

A rape defense can turn on something as small as the scientific analysis of single strand of hair. A single tiny piece of evidence can mean the difference between a not guilty verdict and prison. Your lawyer must be prepared to conduct a thorough scientific evaluation of all of the evidence in a rape case. This ranges from fibers, to hairs, to DNA, to bodily secretions, to using GPS data from a cell phone or car.

Finally, you need a lawyer who will take the time to address your concerns and to explain the case to you. Your future is on the line, and your lawyer must respect that. I make it a priority not only to know the facts and to know the law, but also to know my clients. When you are facing a life changing criminal charge, you need a lawyer who is willing to listen to you and who has the skills to fight for you.