Fort Collins Sex Crimes Lawyer

Most sexual offense attorneys charge a flat fee for their work, but the rate varies depending on the type of case, the complexity of the case, and the experience level of the attorney. A less experienced lawyer on a relatively simple case will obviously have a lower rate than a more experienced attorney working on a complex case.

In addition, expect to use an investigator and other experts in your case. These additional services will be in addition to your lawyer’s fees. To know what the going rate is for your case, contact several attorneys to get a price comparison. To discuss attorney fees with Lee E. Christian, call 970-484-0300.

A sexual assault lawyer is experienced in many types of cases relating to sexual crimes. Some attorneys that focus on general defense also handle sexual assault cases, while a limited number of lawyers may focus solely on sexual cases. These sex offense cases cover a variety of charges, including:

• Date rape
• Sexual assault
• Child molestation
• Statutory rape
• Sexual assault on a child

Sex crimes are serious because the consequences can be permanent, including lifetime registration as a sex offender and lifetime probation. For certain cases, the most serious consequence can be an indeterminate sentence to prison.

Typically, a case starts with some sort of outcry statement. Often this is to a third party, who then encourages the alleged victim to report the matter to law enforcement. With a child who makes an outcry statement, there are mandatory reporting statutes that require certain professionals to report the outcry statement to law enforcement. Once law enforcement becomes involved, expect them to try to get a statement from you. This can be through contact directly from an officer or by using the alleged victim to contact you and get you to “confess” without your knowledge that the call is being recorded. Be warry if the alleged victim calls and wants to talk about what happened.

If the law enforcement officer develops probable cause to believe that a crime was committed and you were the one that committed the crime, expect to be arrested. You will be taken into custody and be required to go before a judge for a bond hearing. It is here that conditions will be set for your release from custody as your case is pending. If you haven’t already done so, at this point, it is important to hire a lawyer for all future legal proceedings. Expect your case to take several months before seeing any results. Generally, sex offense cases are complicated; there are witnesses to interview and evidence to review. Ultimately, there will be a choice, do you accept a plea agreement that has been negotiated between your attorney and the prosecuting attorney or do you go to jury trial? Having an experienced sexual offense attorney will greatly help you as you maneuver the specifics of your case.

A sexual assault defense attorney in Fort Collins can help reduce charges by thoroughly investigating the case, challenging the prosecution's evidence, and negotiating with prosecutors. We can identify procedural errors or rights violations and present mitigating factors. The attorney will strategize to achieve the best possible outcome, whether through plea bargains or trial defense. Our goal is to protect your rights, minimize penalties, and avoid a conviction's severe consequences. Scheduling a consultation can help you determine if they are the right fit for your needs. Contact us to discuss your case and learn how we can assist you.