Westchester County Rape

In the past, rape was a crime that usually went unreported, but that is changing as punishments become harsher and people understand the serious nature of this particular type of sex crime. Today, sex crime cases are on the rise in Westchester County, and it's partially due to the fact that more victims are coming forward to report being violated in this manner.

By definition, rape means the sexual intercourse between two parties in which one party did not give consent. It's important to keep in mind the law regarding consent, which is generally accepted that only a person over a certain age, who is of sound mind, is capable of giving consent. Most states have the age of consent at 18, while other states have it set at 17. If you're unsure about the age of consent, or the laws regarding sexual relations with a minor, you may want to direct your questions to our dedicated Westchester County Rape Lawyer at Stephen Bilkis and Associates, PLLC.

The two most common types of rape that are committed today are statutory rape and spousal rape. Statutory rape is defined as sex with a minor, and a person can be convicted even if it's argued that the minor gave consent. Spousal rape is the rape of a husband or wife and usually includes domestic violence charges as well.

Rape is a serious sex crime and is considered to be a felony, and like many felonies, a person who is convicted may be sentenced to a lengthy prison term. A person can be charged with either of three degrees of rape: Rape in the first degree, rape in the second degree or rape in the third degree. The prison time will vary depending on circumstances and which degree they're convicted of. For example, Rape 1 is a class B felony and typical prison sentences are up to 25 years or more. This is why it's vital to have an experienced Westchester County Rape Lawyer from Stephen Bilkis and Associates, PLLC working on your behalf if you're ever accused of a sex crime. Westchester’s District Attorney will most likely prosecute the case aggressively so having a good defense is critical to possibly minimize jail time and/or fines.

Perhaps the most prevalent type of rape today is statutory rape. This can often be seen on television news whenever a teacher is accused of having sexual relations with a student. While the public may have different perceptions of these cases based on whether the teacher is a male or female, the district attorney will likely treat the teacher as a sexual predator and attempt to get the maximum amount of prison time regardless of the defendant’s gender. If you're a teacher who's been accused of statutory rape, sex with a minor or any other sex crime, it's vital that you not try to defend yourself or speak to the police without legal representation. Instead, you should say nothing until you discuss your case with a skilled New York Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer from Stephen Bilkis and Associates, PLLC.

Date rape is another type of sex crime that's been getting quite a bit of attention lately. This sex crime differs from other rape cases in that many times two people are drinking, fooling around and the line gets blurred as to when or if consent was given. These cases are challenging, and your Westchester County Rape Lawyer may have to rely on DNA evidence for your defense.

If you are charged with rape or another sex crime, contact our experienced New York Sex Crime Lawyer firm at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC. We can discuss possible defense strategies with you. Our New York City offices serve clients throughout the five boroughs of New York City including Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens, as well as Westchester County. Our Long Island offices support our clients in Nassau County and Suffolk County. Call us today at 800.696.9529 to schedule your free consultation.