Fort Collins Sex Assault Lawyer
Are you wondering what just happened? You are told a complaint has been filed claiming you inappropriately touched someone. Now law enforcement is pressing you for a statement, wanting you to take responsibility for something you didn’t even do. As a Fort Collins sex assault lawyer, I’ve heard this story more than I’d like to say. Sex offenses carry some of the most serious penalties of all crimes in Colorado. The consequences of a conviction can last longer and be more damaging than a homicide conviction. Beyond the legal ramifications of a conviction, there’s the social stigma of having a sexual assault on your permanent record.
If you or someone you know is under investigation or has recently been charged with a sexual offense, it’s imperative you seek legal counsel as soon as possible to protect your rights. Our firm, Liggett, Johnson & Goodman, PC, is dedicated to helping clients successfully defeat charges and minimize penalties after a criminal conviction.
Defend Your Rights
and Your Future
Whether you have already been charged or are under investigation for a sex crime, you need an attorney to represent you. These types of cases can be complex and a criminal charge often involves a, “he said/she said” allegation. Before you agree to talk to the police, realize what you say will be used against you in an effort to prosecute you. Your situation requires a strategic approach with a thorough investigation. I will review interview videos, interview witnesses, consult with experts and review DNA evidence to protect your rights and interests. I am experienced with the defense of sex crimes, including:
- Date rape
- Sexual assault
- Child molestation
- Statutory rape
- Sexual assault on a child
Why Do You Need to Hire a Sexual Offense Attorney?
If you’ve been accused of a sexual offense, harassment, or sexual assault, before speaking to a police officer, meet with an attorney. No matter if you are innocent or have some responsibility for what happened, an experienced attorney can guide you through the legal process and serve as your advocate. Here are three reasons to hire a sex assault lawyer in Fort Collins:
Legal expertise.
The legal world is complicated and can be overwhelming to people who have never gone through the process. An experienced sexual offense attorney is familiar with the legal process and can help you every step of the way to create the best defense possible. They also understand the law and can work to build a strong case to either have the charges dropped or minimize your consequences. Some people consider representing themselves during sexual cases. Know that this can lead to you getting a heavy punishment and unknown consequences if you don’t understand the legal world.
Careful analysis of your case.
Experienced sexual offense lawyers understand the ins and outs of sexual offense laws. They can look at your case with a specific eye for the laws of Colorado to find the best way to defend you. An attorney’s job is to advocate for their clients and provide honest feedback to their clients. Attorneys do this by carefully examining the evidence in your case and understanding your perspective of what happened. By balancing these two factors, your attorney can then advise you and become a strong advocate for you.
A chance for changed charges.
An experienced attorney may mean the chance to have the charges dropped or reduced. Just because you are accused of a sexual crime doesn’t mean you are guilty. However, without a good lawyer, your chances of having charges dropped or reduced are much lower. An experienced lawyer knows how to put a case together that is persuasive and is in your best interest.
Why Choose David H. Johnson as Your Sex Assault Lawyer in Fort Collins?
Choosing your sex assault lawyer is one of the most important parts of your entire legal journey. Your lawyer can make or break your case, and the right lawyer can help you navigate the legal field and do everything to work toward a better end result. Here are three reasons to choose David H. Johnson as your sexual offense attorney in Fort Collins:
Experience.
David H. Johnson has been practicing law in Northern Colorado for more than 30 years, including starting his career as a deputy district attorney. He has represented numerous clients in all sorts of sexual crime cases. David H. Johnson is experienced with local law and the court system and has experience both in the courtroom and in negotiations. Both are critical skills for a sex assault lawyer.
Strong reputation.
Throughout his extensive career, David has built a strong reputation as an attorney who cares for each client. He is well respected in the community. He sees the good in clients and recognizes, sometimes because of extenuating circumstances, people can make a bad choice. If you ask around Fort Collins, David H. Johnson’s name will likely come up as a great attorney who listens, respects his clients, and works for a favorable outcome for his clients, whether through plea negotiations or a trial.
Trustworthiness.
David H. Johnson has strong character and is known for being trustworthy. He makes it easy for clients to be open and share information with him. This is especially important with sex cases, which are often cases that are hard to talk about. David H. Johnson takes the time to get to know each client and understand their needs in a discreet and comfortable manner. He can be trusted when sharing confidential information and will use all of his resources to assist you with your case in any way he can.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a sexual offense attorney in Fort Collins cost?
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 David H. Johnson, call 970-419-1221.
What kind of cases does a sex assault lawyer handle?
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
What happens after you’ve been accused of a sex crime?
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.
