Penalties for a Sex Crime Conviction in Pennsylvania

Sex Crimes in PA: Penalties, Punishments, and Legal Information.

What happens when you are convicted of a sex crime in Pennsylvania? Our Pittsburgh sex crimes attorneys answer your questions.

When a person is charged with a sex crime a lot is at stake: their reputation, family, job, and freedom.

If you were charged with a sex crime in PA, you may be facing imprisonment, fines, and the possibility of being put on the national register of sex offenders for the rest of your life—this online list is available to the public to see.

Whether you were charged with sexual assault, rape, IDSI, indecent assault, sexting with a teenager, or child pornography, the penalties under Pennsylvania law and U.S. Federal law are severe.

While the penalties often depend on the type of crime committed, whether you have a previous criminal record and the age of the alleged victim(s), being charged with a sex crime is a very serious allegation that could impact the rest of your life.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: TO HAVE YOUR SEX CRIME CHARGES DISMISSED

CALL KETCHEL LAW TODAY: 412-456-1221 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

WHAT WILL A SEX CRIME CONVICTION MEAN FOR ME?

Depending on the nature of the crime, a sex crime conviction can take away many of your liberties. On top of steep fines and prison time, it could inhibit your ability for employment and could even dictate where you can live.

A sex crime felony on your criminal record can have far-reaching detriments—you may not be approved for financial loans for education or automobiles or housing. You may be turned down by landlords for housing and have difficulty finding an apartment.

You may also be required to register your name and address every year on a national registry, visible to all. If you fail to register as a sex offender, you may be sent to prison.

Other consequences could include losing child custody or immigration status.

The stigma that is attached to being a registered sex offender could make it very difficult to keep friends and build social relationships.

Being charged with a sex crime does not necessarily mean you will be convicted. Our Pittsburgh Sex Crime Lawyers will do everything possible to have your charges reduced or your case dismissed.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: TO HAVE YOUR SEX CRIME CHARGES DISMISSED

CALL KETCHEL LAW TODAY: 412-456-1221 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

WHO IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER IN PENNSYLVANIA?

Under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) / Megan’s Law and the Adam Walsh Act, convicted sex offenders are required to register their names on an online national registry, wherever they may live, work or go to school.

The national registry is available for anyone to see—your picture, name, address, and crime of which you were convicted could be shown to the public. To register you are required to provide DNA, a photograph, and addresses of where you live and work.

Failing to register is a felony, which can itself send you to prison for life and cost up to $25,000 in fines.

If you are convicted of any of the following sex crimes you will be required to register as a sex offender in Pennsylvania:

MEGAN’S LAW

Megan’s Law is a federal law that was passed in 1996. Under this law, anyone convicted of a sex crime must register in the county in which they reside. After being released from prison, a person may only have a few days to register.

ADAM WALSH CHILD ACT AND SORNA

The Adam Walsh Act is a federal statute signed into law in 2006. It organizes sex offenders into three tiers based on the crime committed. SORNA (the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act) is Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.

The act mandates that Tier 3 offenders (the most serious crimes) provide their whereabouts every three months for the rest of their lives. Tier 2 offenders must do the same every six months for 25 years and Tier 1 offenders every year for 15 years. Failing to register is a felony.

Recently the PA Supreme Court ruled that certain first-time offenders may only have to register for 15 years instead of a lifetime.

If you were charged with a sex crime, call Justin Ketchel today for a free legal consultation.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO FIGHT SEX CRIME CHARGES?

An arrest is not a conviction.

Being charged with a sex crime is frightening but also an extraordinarily embarrassing affair. Regardless of innocence or guilt, the consequences of a conviction are a real threat to the accused’s freedom, rights, and liberties.

Professional and social implications are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to also facing prison time and a lifelong stigma of being known as a sex offender.

At Ketchel Law, we understand that not everyone accused of a crime is guilty of a crime. There are two sides to every story. We will take your case very seriously and work toward having your charges reduced or your case dismissed.

There are several defenses to sex crimes. We will fully investigate your case, examining all angles and gathering testimony and witnesses on your behalf. We will go over the charges and the procedures taken by law enforcement carefully. We will aggressively look for any evidence to build a strong case for you.

If your case goes to trial, we will be by your side at every turn, to prepare you and your family for possible questioning and keep you informed so that together we can make the best decision for you and your family.

Our goal is to have your case dismissed and charges reduced; if that is not possible, we will fight aggressively to keep your name off the national registry of sex offenders.

If you have been charged with a sex crime call Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney Justin J. Ketchel for a free consultation.

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FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION

We offer free legal consultations to anyone charged with a crime. Call us today to find out how we can help defend your rights.

Learn more about Ketchel Law and Sex Crime Laws in Pennsylvania:

Learn more about Ketchel Law:

Call Ketchel Law now for a free legal consultation at 412-456-1221.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR CHARGES DISMISSED.

CALL KETCHEL LAW TODAY: 412-456-1221

FREE CONSULTATION