Rape / Sexual Assault Lawyers & Attorneys In Phoenix Arizona

Rape/Sexual Assault Defense Attorneys

Rape is forcible sexual contact with a person against his or her will.  While this definition seems relatively straightforward, rape cases can be some of the most complicated and complex issues facing lawyers, juries and judges due to the necessary reliance on circumstantial evidence and testimony to reach a verdict.  Most rape trials are long, drawn-out battles with no clear winners.

While the concept of “stranger rape” is strong in the public imagination, most rape cases occur between partners who know each other.  The term “date rape” is sometimes used to describe these cases.  While the law states unequivocally that a person has a right to say no to sexual contact and that a crime has been committed if that person is forced to perform sexual acts, it is not always easy to know if sex has been consensual or forced.  There have been cases in which a victim later recanted his or her story, claiming that the charges were fabricated out of anger or malice.  There are many other cases in which rapes actually occur that are never reported.

This lopsided prosecution of a serious crime has left many accused people in an unenviable position.  If you are accused of rape, the chances are that you will wind up defending yourself beyond the legal standard of “innocent until proven guilty.”  While our courts are supposed to uphold that standard, it is not always easy in rape cases.

Many people who are accused of rape come to a criminal defense attorney’s office with a single question:  “How can I prove sex was consensual?”  While you cannot and do not have to “prove” your innocence, a criminal defense attorney with experience in defending rape cases will give you advice on how to handle many aspects of the case, including who to talk to and who to avoid, how to avoid a social media disaster regarding the case, how you should behave prior to trial and many other important factors that can influence the outcome of a rape trial.

Ultimately, a person accused of rape or sexual assault is in a dangerous legal position and needs the help of a seasoned criminal defense attorney.  Do not take these charges lightly or dismiss the severity of the consequences of a rape conviction.  Talk to a criminal defense attorney today about your case to determine the best way to proceed with your defense.