Jacksonville, North Carolina Sexual Assault Defense Attorney
Experienced Sex Crime Attorney for Sexual Assault Accusations in Jacksonville, NC & Surrounding Areas
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Facing sex crime charges can be overwhelming, as a conviction can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment, mandatory registration as a sex offender, and lasting damage to your reputation. At The Wilkie Law Group, our firm is dedicated to providing aggressive legal representation for those accused of sex offenses in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and the surrounding areas.
Aden Wilkie, a skilled North Carolina sexual assault defense attorney, has extensive experience defending clients against these serious criminal charges. Whether the allegations involve force, coercion, or a dangerous or deadly weapon, we understand that every case is unique and requires a strategic and aggressive approach.
Remember, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and having a strong legal defense is crucial. If you or a loved one is facing sex crime charges, do not wait—contact The Wilkie Law Group at (910) 333-9626 for a confidential consultation today.
What is Considered Sexual Assault in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the term sexual assault does not refer to a single crime. Instead, it encompasses a variety of sex crimes outlined in Article 7B of the North Carolina General Statutes. These offenses include rape, sexual intercourse with a child, and other unlawful sexual acts.
Under state law, sexual assault generally involves sexual contact, touching, or penetration without consent. This can include vaginal intercourse, date rape, or acts committed against someone who is physically helpless or mentally disabled.
Most sex crimes carry serious penalties, and a sex crime investigation can escalate quickly. That’s why it’s critical to have a skilled criminal defense attorney involved from the start. If you’re facing accusations—whether the alleged victim is an adult or a child—the impact on your life can be devastating.
Navigating these complex laws and protecting your rights takes the support of an experienced defense lawyer who knows how to challenge the prosecution’s case effectively.
NC Degrees of Sexual Assault
North Carolina sex crimes are categorized into different degrees based on the severity of the offense and the circumstances surrounding the case. The law considers factors such as force, coercion, the use of a weapon, and the age or mental capacity of the alleged victim.
Facing sex crime charges can be overwhelming, as these offenses carry severe legal and personal consequences. Due to the sensitive nature of these cases, it is crucial to have an experienced Jacksonville sex crime lawyer who understands how to build a strong defense.
Forcible Rape
In North Carolina, the definition and associated penalties of forcible rape can be found under §§ 14-27.21 – 14-27.22 of the state code.
First-degree forcible rape is a serious offense that involves vaginal intercourse obtained through the use or threat of force—particularly when the alleged perpetrator uses a deadly weapon, inflicts serious bodily injury, or acts alongside another person. This offense is classified as a Class B1 felony, carrying severe penalties upon conviction.
Second-degree forcible rape, a Class C felony, also involves non-consensual vaginal intercourse but without the presence of extreme force, a weapon, or serious physical injury.
Regardless of the degree, rape charges in North Carolina are extremely serious and can lead to lengthy prison sentences, mandatory sex offender registration, and lasting damage to your reputation and future. If you’ve been accused of either first- or second-degree rape, it’s essential to seek help from a skilled North Carolina rape defense attorney right away. The earlier you involve legal counsel, the better your chances of protecting your rights and building a strong defense.
Statutory Rape
North Carolina’s statutory rape laws are designed to protect minors from sexual exploitation, even if the sexual activity appears consensual. The law makes it illegal for an adult to engage in vaginal intercourse with someone under the legal age of consent, which is 16 years old in the state.
Statutory rape charges vary based on the age difference between the individuals involved. For example, if the offender is at least 18 and the minor is under 13, the offense is classified as first-degree statutory rape, a Class B1 felony. Lesser charges may apply if the age gap is smaller, but the consequences can still be severe.
A person convicted of statutory rape may face years in prison, mandatory sex offender registration, and a permanent criminal record. Because these cases are complex and emotionally charged, it’s important to work with an experienced sex crime lawyer who understands how to build a strong defense and challenge the prosecution’s case.
Forcible Sexual Offenses
Under § 14-27.26 of the North Carolina Statutes, a person can be charged with a first-degree forcible sexual offense (a Class B1 felony) if they force someone to take part in a sexual act against their will and they either:
- Use, threaten to use, or show a dangerous weapon (or something that looks like one),
- Seriously injure the victim or someone else during the assault; or
- Commit the act while working together with at least one other person.
§ 14-27.27 defines second-degree forcible sexual offenses. Someone may be charged with this offense if they:
- Force someone to take part in a sexual act against their will; or
- Engage in a sexual act with someone who has a mental disability, is mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless (and they knew or should have known about that person’s condition)
This offense is considered a Class C felony, which still carries serious penalties, including prison time and mandatory sex offender registration.
Statutory Sexual Offenses
Under North Carolina law, statutory sexual offenses refer to sexual acts with minors that are illegal regardless of whether the minor gave consent. These offenses are taken very seriously and fall under different classifications depending on the ages of the individuals involved.
- First-degree statutory sexual offense (§14-27.28) applies when the victim is under 13 years old and the accused is at least four years older than the victim.
- Statutory sexual offense with a child by an adult (§14-27.29) occurs when the victim is under 13 and the accused is an adult aged 18 or older.
- Statutory sexual offense with a person who is 15 or younger (§14-27.30) applies when someone engages in a sexual act with a minor aged 15 or younger, and there is a minimum age difference of six years between the accused and the alleged victim.
In these cases, consent is not a legal defense, meaning that even if the minor agreed to the act, the adult can still face serious felony charges. Because of the high stakes, it’s critical to equip yourself with an experienced criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights and fight the charges.
Sexual Activity Offenses
Certain sex offenses involve authority figures, such as sexual activity by a substitute parent or custodian (§ 14-27.31) or sexual activity with a student by a teacher or school staff member (§ 14-27.32). These crimes carry severe potential consequences, including felony charges and mandatory sex offender registration. Facing allegations of sex crimes like these requires immediate legal action to protect your rights.
What is Aggravated Sexual Assault in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the law does not use the exact term “aggravated sexual assault” like some other states. Instead, what might be considered “aggravated” in other jurisdictions is typically charged under more serious offenses such as first-degree forcible rape or first-degree forcible sexual offense.
These crimes involve sexual acts committed through force and against a person’s will, along with aggravating factors like:
- Use or threat of a deadly weapon
- Serious physical injury to the victim or someone else
- The act being committed by multiple people working together
These offenses are classified as Class B1 felonies—among the most serious in North Carolina—and can lead to decades in prison, mandatory sex offender registration, and permanent damage to a person’s life and reputation.
What is Sexual Battery in NC?
Under NCGS § 14-27.33, sexual battery is defined as engaging in sexual contact with another person by force and against that person’s will, or with someone who is mentally disabled, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless. For reference, sexual contact means touching the intimate parts of another person (or having them touch yours) for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse.
Sexual battery is classified as a Class A1 misdemeanor, which is the most serious level of misdemeanor in North Carolina.
Sexual Battery vs Sexual Assault
While both are sex crimes, sexual battery typically involves non-consensual touching, whereas sexual assault often includes force or penetration. As such, sexual battery is considered a misdemeanor, whereas sexual assault offenses are classified as felony offenses.
Penalties for Sexual Assault in Jacksonville, NC
In North Carolina, penalties for sexual assault vary based on the severity of the offense. For example, first-degree forcible rape, involving vaginal intercourse by force and under aggravating circumstances, is classified as a Class B1 felony, carrying a sentence of anywhere from 12 years to life imprisonment without parole. Second-degree forcible rape, on the other hand, is a Class C felony, which typically carries a sentencing range from around 3 and a half years to just over 19 years in prison.
Of course, it’s also important to consider other penalties associated with sex crime cases, including expensive fines and mandatory sex offender registration. What’s more, beyond legal penalties, a conviction can severely damage an individual’s housing opportunities, employment prospects, and personal freedom, not to mention the permanent stain on his or her reputation. Given these serious consequences, it is crucial to consult experienced criminal defense attorneys when facing such charges.
How To Beat a Sexual Assault Charge
Building a strong defense against sexual assault charges requires a strategic and thorough approach. This often involves a detailed investigation into the facts, consultations with expert witnesses, and assertive representation in the courtroom. From the beginning of a criminal case, it’s important for the accused to remain silent when speaking with law enforcement officers and to seek immediate legal representation.
A skilled defense attorney will carefully examine the prosecution’s claims, challenge the reliability of DNA evidence, and work to expose any inconsistencies or weaknesses in the case. Whether the allegations are completely false or based on exaggerated claims, an experienced criminal defense law firm can fight to protect the accused’s rights, reputation, and future.
Why Choose Aden Wilkie as Your Jacksonville Sexual Assault Defense Attorney?
Aden Wilkie is a highly experienced criminal defense lawyer dedicated to defending individuals accused of sex crimes in North Carolina. He has successfully helped numerous clients facing serious criminal charges by securing case dismissals, reduced charges, or acquittals.
He and his staff are committed to crafting a strong, tailored defense strategy to fight the accusations and minimize the impact on a client’s reputation, professional life, and personal relationships. Whether working to prove innocence or negotiate for the best possible outcome, Aden Wilkie understands the stakes and will do what it takes to protect his clients.
If you or a loved one has been accused of a sex offense, don’t wait—schedule an initial consultation today to protect your future. Securing the right legal representation from the very onset of your case can make all the difference in avoiding the devastating consequences of being convicted.
Contact the Jacksonville, NC Sexual Assault Defense Lawyers at The Wilkie Law Group Today
If you’re facing charges for a sexual assault offense in North Carolina, time is of the essence. The sooner you act, the better your chances of building the best possible defense. Contact The Wilkie Law Group today to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Jacksonville, NC criminal defense lawyer on our team. We will get straight to work reviewing the details of your case, examining the evidence, and begin crafting a strong legal strategy to protect your rights and future.
Hire a Top Sexual Assault Lawyer
At The Wilkie Law Group, our legal team is dedicated to providing a strong defense and aggressively fighting for our clients. Call (910) 333-9626 today to schedule a consultation and get the legal support you need. Don’t wait—secure the experienced defense you deserve.
