Nashville Criminal Sexual Conduct Attorneys

Criminal sexual conduct is defined as nonconsensual sexual acts that occur under specific, defined circumstances or to an individual in a protected group. The state of Tennessee classifies criminal sexual conduct into three degrees of severity. Charges for this crime carry very serious penalties that can change the course of a person’s life. A conviction can mean time in prison, a tarnished reputation, and complications in your relationships. With that being said, you do not have to fight accusations alone.

The attorneys of Horst Law have dedicated their professional careers to defending those facing serious criminal charges. We understand how stressful and frightening this can be for accused individuals and we want to do all we can to make sure your rights are protected throughout the legal process. Prosecutors are ruthless when trying to make the accused look as guilty as possible, but our experienced attorneys are ready to counter any claim they make. If you have been accused of criminal sexual conduct in any degree, contact us.

Degrees of Criminal Sexual Conduct

The three degrees of criminal sexual conduct share many similarities and a few key differences that decide the level of punishment for conviction. The degrees are defined as follows:

First degree

• Sexual penetration occurs
• The victim is under the age of 13
• The victim is at least 13 but younger than 16, and the accused is related to or has authority over the victim and is at least three years older
• A weapon was used to coerce the victim into penetration
• Physical force, violence, or threats were used to coerce the victim into penetration
• The accused had reason to know the victim was mentally or physically incapacitated

Second degree

• Sexual contact occurs
• The victim is under the age of 13
• The victim is at least 13 but younger than 16, and the accused is related to or has authority over the victim and is at least three years older
• A weapon was used to coerce the victim into penetration
• Physical force, violence, or threats were used to coerce the victim into penetration
• The accused had reason to know the victim was mentally or physically incapacitated

Third degree

• Sexual penetration occurs
• The victim is at least 13 but younger than 16, and the accused is at least three years older than the victim
• Force or coercion is used to accomplish penetration
• The accused had reason to know the victim was mentally or physically incapacitated

The differences between the degrees of the crime are slight, while the difference in punishment is significant. Having a tough criminal defense attorney on your side could mean the difference between a first-degree conviction with life in prison, a second-degree conviction with up to 15 years in prison, or even dropped charges.

Contact a Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or someone you love is facing criminal sexual conduct charges, do not hesitate to call a criminal defense attorney. The attorneys of the Horst Law have the experience and knowledge needed to fight any wild accusations made by ruthless prosecutors. To learn more about our team, contact our office at today.