Sex Offenses
Being convicted of a sex crime can have serious consequences on your life, including jail time and extraordinarily large fines. In addition to losing your freedom and finances, your reputation will take a major hit. To minimize the damaging consequences of these charges, hire Mastandrea Law, LLC to provide an aggressive defense and fight the charges against you to ensure the best outcome.
Attorney Rod Mastandrea is a trusted sex crime lawyer in Cleveland, Ohio with over ten years of experience helping clients fight their cases. Rod Mastandrea will examine your case from every angle and gather evidence and information to put together an ironclad defense on your behalf.
Trust Mastandrea Law, LLC With Your Toughest Sex Crimes Case
No matter what sex crime you are accused of, Mastandrea Law, LLC will handle your case objectively. As an experienced sex crime attorney in Cleveland, Ohio, Attorney Mastandrea can handle cases involving:
Sexual Assault
Statutory Rape
Gross Sexual Imposition (GS)
Internet Sex Crimes
Don’t be nervous about your case. Attorney Mastandrea will ease your concerns by developing a solid defensive strategy for your case in court.
Defending Sex Crimes Allegations In Ohio
Every day, we hear stories of another coach, teacher, or relative being accused of having sexual relationships with teenagers and children. If you are fortunate enough to not hear about one of these cases, then most likely you’ll find something about sexual material relating to minors. The state of Ohio has numerous statutes to cover all of these offenses.
Computer-Related Sex Crimes
Computer sex crimes in Ohio include viewing or owning pornographic material related to a child or child pornography. These charges can have far-reaching consequences that last a lifetime for individuals that are even accused of these crimes. These defendants face losing their jobs, going to jail, and numerous life-long repercussions.
Some of the most common sex crimes we see in Cleveland are:
Pandering
Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance
Public Indecency And Voyeurism
Under Ohio law, public decency can be classified as anything ranging from a fifth-degree felony down to a fourth-degree misdemeanor, depending on the specific circumstances of the offense. This crime is often referred to as Lewd Conduct and can include acts such as exposing one’s private parts, engaging in sexual activity in public, or engaging in activities that could be considered as sexual in nature to an observer.
Voyeurism is another sex offense that can have serious consequences as well. This crime includes acts where a person trespasses or invades the privacy of another, for their own sexual gratification. Charges for this offense can vary greatly between a fifth-degree felony down to a third-degree misdemeanor.
Some Of The Most Common Sex Crime Charges In Ohio
Under Ohio law, there are several sex crime charges an individual can face. The penalty for each charge can range greatly from several months to years in prison, having to register as a sex offender and thousands of dollars in crimes. Here are some of the most common sex crime charges we deal with at Mastandrea Law, LLC.
Rape
The crime of rape in Ohio is defined as engaging in sexual conduct with another person that is not the spouse of the alleged offender. The victim may be the spouse of the offender so long as the offender and the spouse are living separately. A person can be charged with rape if they administer drugs, alcohol, or another controlled substance by force, the threat of force, or deception before the sexual act or if the sexual act is done so by force, the threat of force, or deception. Rape can include cases where an individual engages in sexual acts with an individual under 13-years of age regardless of whether or not the offender knows the age of the victim. Additionally, a rape charge can be brought up against a person who did not obtain consent to engage in the act or someone who engages in sexual acts with a victim that is mentally or physically unable to consent or resist the act. (Ohio Revised Code § 2907.02)
Sexual Battery
Charges for sexual battery are brought against individuals who engage in sexual conduct with another person by coercion. These cases typically involve circumstances where a person is impaired and unaware of what is happening. These cases can involve minors or other specific circumstances. Generally, the victim is coerced in a way that prevents them from resisting the act, or the victim is too young to consent to the act. Charges for sexual battery are not applicable when the victim is the spouse of the offender. (Ohio Revised Code § 2907.03)
Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor
This crime is applied to situations where an offender, who is 18-years of age or older, engages in sexual conduct with a minor that is between 13-years and 16-years of age or in cases where the offender is reckless in that regard. Charges for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor are not applicable when the victim is the spouse of the offender. (Ohio Revised Code § 2907.04)
Sexual Imposition
A person can be charged for this crime in Ohio if they engage in the act of touching another person’s thighs, genitals, buttocks, pubic regions, or female breasts. In order for this charge to be applicable, one of the following scenarios must be present:
- The offender must know that the acts are offensive or they are acting recklessly
- The offender knows the accuser is impaired by alcohol or drugs and is unable to resist or consent
- The offender performs acts while the victim is passed out or sleeping
- The offender is a mental health professional, and the victim is a client
Additionally, a victim should be between 13-16-years of age and the offender must be 18-years or older. (Ohio Revised Code § 2907.06)
Gross Sexual Imposition
A person can face GSI charges if they engage in the act of touching another person’s thighs, genitals, buttocks, pubic regions, or female breasts for the purpose of sexual gratification. An offender must commit this act forcibly, by using drugs or alcohol to impair the victim, or if the victim is 13-years of age or younger. (Ohio Revised Code § 2907.05)
Child Pornography
A person can be charged with child pornography if they possess any videos, photographs, printed material, or digital material involving nudity or sexual acts of a minor. A minor is considered any individual under 18-years of age. Individuals charged for child pornography can face a variety of charges each presenting its own penalties depending on the content type and quantity.
Prostitution
There are several laws in Ohio related to prostitution. This includes compelling prostitution, promoting prostitution, procuring prostitution, and solicitation for prostitution. Individuals can be charged with prostitution regardless of whether they are the person acting as the prostitute or they are the person ‘hiring’ the prostitute. The penalties are crime-specific and can range from fines to jail time.
There are several laws in Ohio related to prostitution. This includes compelling prostitution, promoting prostitution, procuring prostitution, and solicitation for prostitution. Individuals can be charged with prostitution regardless of whether they are the person acting as the prostitute or they are the person ‘hiring’ the prostitute. The penalties are crime-specific and can range from fines to jail time.
Ohio Sex Offender Registration
An individual convicted of a sex-related offense in Ohio is required to register as a sex offender in the state. The name, offense type, addresses, and other information is provided on the list to the public.
Duty To Register
If a defendant pleads guilty to a sex crime or is convicted in court, they will be classified as a “Sex Offender” under Ohio law. There are three different tiers of sex offenders on the list. The various tiers are determined by the severity of the crime. The tier under which a person must register determines how long they will remain on the list in the state of Ohio. The following terms apply:
Tier I: A person is required to register for a period of 15-years. They will be required to go in-person each year to register and update any information.
Tier II: These individuals are required to register for a period of 25-years. People registered as Tier II offenders are required to register in person every 180-days.
Tier III: A person that is a Tier III registrant will remain a registered sex offender for life. Persons on this list are required to attend in-person verifications every 90-days.
When a person registers, they must go to the Sheriff’s Office in the county where they reside. If an offender relocates to another area in Ohio, they are required to go to the Sheriff’s Office within 3-days to notify the county of the move.
Registered Sex Offenders are further required to notify the Sheriff’s office of any changes in school or work. This information must be provided to the Sheriff’s office a minimum of 20-days prior to the change and no later than 3-days after the change occurs.
If a Registered Sex Offender goes on vacation outside of the country for 7-days or more, they are required to register temporary lodging information with the Sheriff’s Office as well.
Vehicle information, email addresses, internet identifiers, and telephone numbers must be accurate and up to date at all times.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sex Offenses In Ohio
Individuals often engage in innocent acts only to be accused of sex crimes later on. These individuals are often overwhelmed in knowing they potentially face life-altering charges that will have a lasting and negative impact on their financial and social well-being. Individuals are often flooded with questions relating to sex crime charges in Ohio. Here are answers to some of the most common questions people have.
These types of case are very common yet extremely difficult to defend. Under Ohio law, an individual can be charged with rape if they knowingly engage in sexual intercourse with another person who is incapacitated. If you are charged with this type of crime, you need to contact a sex crime attorney in Cleveland to represent you as soon as possible.
That state of Ohio has yet to develop laws covering the rape of a person’s own spouse. The state itself handles cases involving marital rape differently than most other states. A broad range of defenses are available in Ohio that can help anyone accused of this crime establish a solid and reliable defense. At this time, state legislatures are working hard to get this changed to limit the number of defense options available.
This term is used to describe when an individual engages in creating, reproducing, publishing, buying, selling, or otherwise distributing obscene materials. Under Ohio law, this crime is classified as a fifth-degree felony and will result in a Tier I registration requirement for anyone convicted of it.