Crimes involving other people tend to be more serious than offenses involving property. Sexual crimes are some of the most stigmatized criminal offenses prosecuted in Pennsylvania. People accused of violating the bodily autonomy of others may find themselves struggling to secure and maintain gainful employment, obtain rental housing or continue their educations. The stigma of having a conviction for a sexual offense on their record could also impact their personal relationships.
Most people want to avoid criminal offenses and convictions whenever possible. To successfully avoid breaking the law, people have to understand what the law prohibits. What behaviors may constitute sex crimes under current Pennsylvania statutes?
There are several types of offenses
Pennsylvania prosecutes a number of different types of sex offenses. In cases involving older teens, the state may pursue statutory sexual assault charges. The ages of the parties determine the severity of the charges. Indecent assault charges may result in scenarios where people make involuntary contact with another person or force them to come into contact with bodily fluids or excrement for sexual purposes.
Rape is one of the most serious sex offenses, and the state defines it as sexual intercourse achieved through physical force, threats or impairment caused by alcohol or other intoxicants. The state also considers an encounter rape if one party has a mental disability that limits their ability to consent or if they are unconscious or otherwise unaware of the act occurring.
The state can also bring charges against anyone who has sexual contact with a child under the age of 13. Certain factors can increase the severity of the situation, including causing serious bodily harm to the other party.
Intimate acts that involve oral or anal penetration fall under a separate statute. The state prosecutes such cases as involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. The same essential standards apply regarding force, consent and age. Both rape and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse are first-degree felony offenses that can result in up to 20 years in prison or 40 years if the victim is a child under the age of 13.
Anyone facing allegations of committing a sexual offense in Pennsylvania generally needs help reviewing the allegations against them and developing an appropriate defense strategy. With the right support, people accused of inappropriate physical contact with others may be able to avoid a conviction that could cause lasting complications.