Raleigh Sex Crimes Lawyer
Serving Wake County & Beyond

Charged With a Sex Crime in Raleigh?

Sex crime charges in North Carolina carry life-changing consequences, including prison time and mandatory registration. Schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Raleigh defense attorney to discuss your case.

• Work directly with a Raleigh criminal defense lawyer
• Defense for sexual assault, exploitation, and related charges
• Protecting clients in Raleigh and throughout Wake County

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Sex crime allegations bring immediate public judgment and the risk of severe, lasting penalties. You cannot afford to face these charges without a proven legal team in your corner. At DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, we have successfully defended clients accused of a wide range of sex offenses in Raleigh courts and know how to fight back when your future is on the line.

Our experienced Raleigh sex crimes defense attorneys provide aggressive, compassionate representation when everything you’ve worked for is on the line.

Don’t wait another day. Your future depends on what you do right now.

How North Carolina Handles Sex Crime Cases

North Carolina law categorizes numerous offenses as “sex crimes,” ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies. These include:

• Rape and sexual assault (N.C.G.S. § 14-27.21 through § 14-27.33)
• Indecent liberties with children (N.C.G.S. § 14-202.1)
• Statutory rape (N.C.G.S. § 14-27.25)
• Sexual battery (N.C.G.S. § 14-27.33)
• Possession of child pornography (N.C.G.S. § 14-190.17A)
• Sexual exploitation of minors (N.C.G.S. § 14-190.17)
• Indecent exposure (N.C.G.S. § 14-190.9)
• Secret peeping (N.C.G.S. § 14-202)
• Solicitation of a child by computer (N.C.G.S. § 14-202.3)

What makes sex crime charges particularly devastating is the combination of severe criminal penalties and life-altering collateral consequences.

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Criminal Penalties

Depending on the specific charge and your criminal history, penalties can include:

• Class B1 Felonies (first-degree forcible rape/sexual offense): Up to life imprisonment without parole
• Class C Felonies (second-degree forcible rape/sexual offense): Up to 231 months in prison
• Class F Felonies (indecent liberties with children): Up to 59 months in prison
• Class H Felonies (third-degree sexual exploitation): Up to 39 months in prison
• Class 1 Misdemeanors (sexual battery): Up to 120 days in jail

Sex Offender Registration Requirements

Perhaps even more devastating than prison time is the requirement to register as a sex offender under North Carolina’s Sex Offender and Public Protection Registration Program.

According to N.C.G.S. § 14-208.7, most sex offenders must register for a minimum of 30 years, while those classified as “sexually violent predators,” recidivists, or convicted of an “aggravated offense” face lifetime registration.

Registration requires:

• Regular in-person verification with the sheriff’s office (every 6 months or annually)
• Public listing of your name, photo, address, and offense on the state’s sex offender website
• Notification to the sheriff within 3 days of any address change
• Severe restrictions on where you can live and work

Additional Consequences

Beyond registration, conviction for a sex crime in North Carolina often means:

• Housing restrictions prohibiting you from living within 1,000 feet of schools or childcare facilities
• Employment barriers preventing you from working in numerous fields, especially any involving children
• Educational limitations restricting access to campus housing or certain educational programs
• Travel restrictions requiring notification when traveling between counties or states
• Internet and computer use monitoring for certain offenses
• Prohibition from visiting places where children regularly gather
• Satellite-based monitoring (GPS tracking) for certain offenders

These consequences don’t end when your sentence is complete—they can follow you for decades or even a lifetime.

Powerful Defense Strategies for Sex Crime Charges

At DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, we understand that sex crime allegations can arise from misunderstandings, false accusations, or violations of your constitutional rights. Our experienced defense team builds customized defense strategies that may include:

Challenging Evidence and Investigation Procedures

• Forensic evidence examination: Challenging DNA, medical evidence, or electronic evidence collection and analysis
• Interview procedure scrutiny: Exposing leading questions or improper interview techniques, particularly with child witnesses
• Search warrant challenges: Examining whether evidence was obtained legally and with proper authority
• Electronic evidence authentication: Ensuring digital evidence meets proper chain of custody and authentication requirements

Constitutional and Procedural Defenses

• Fourth Amendment violations: Challenging illegal searches and seizures
• Fifth Amendment protections: Addressing improper interrogation techniques or Miranda violations
• Due process violations: Identifying procedural errors that prejudiced your case
• Speedy trial rights: Ensuring your case wasn’t improperly delayed

Factual and Circumstantial Defenses

• Consent defense: When appropriate, establishing that the alleged victim consented to the conduct (in cases not involving minors)
• Mistaken identity: Proving you were not the person who committed the alleged offense
• Alibi: Demonstrating you were elsewhere when the alleged offense occurred
• False accusations: Exposing motivations for false allegations (custody disputes, revenge, attention-seeking)
• Age-based defenses: In certain cases, showing a reasonable belief about the age of the other person

Mental Health Considerations

• Competency evaluations: Determining capacity to stand trial
• Treatment alternatives: Seeking mental health treatment in lieu of or in addition to incarceration
• Mitigating factors: Presenting evidence of mental health challenges that contributed to the behavior

Remember, every case is unique, and the best defense strategy depends on the specific facts and circumstances of your situation. Our attorneys will thoroughly evaluate your case and develop a tailored approach designed to achieve the best possible outcome.

Wake County Courthouse

Handles civil and criminal matters in Wake County

• Address: 300 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601
• Hours: M-F 8:30 A.M.-5 P.M.
• Phone:(919) 792-4000

Why Choose DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall

When facing sex crime allegations in Raleigh and throughout North Carolina, your choice of legal representation can make a critical difference in the outcome of your case. Our firm offers:

• Decades of criminal defense experience in Wake County courts
• Specialized knowledge of sex crimes defense strategies and North Carolina sex offense laws
• Discreet, confidential representation that respects the sensitive nature of these charges
• Comprehensive approach addressing both immediate legal concerns and long-term consequences
• Respected trial attorneys known for aggressive courtroom advocacy
• Compassionate counsel that recognizes the personal and emotional impact of these allegations

We don’t just defend cases—we defend people, reputations, careers, and futures.

Your Defense Begins Today

If you’ve been charged with a sex crime in Raleigh or anywhere in North Carolina, time is critical. Here’s what you need to do immediately:

1. Exercise your right to remain silent. Anything you say to police, alleged victims, or others can and will be used against you.
2. Do not consent to searches without a warrant or proper legal authority.
3. Preserve all evidence that may help your case, including text messages, emails, voicemails, videos, or photos.
4. Contact our office immediately for a confidential case evaluation.

The sooner we can begin building your defense, the more options we’ll have to fight the charges. Early intervention can sometimes lead to charges being reduced or dismissed before they permanently impact your record.

Contact Our Raleigh Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers Today

At DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, we understand what’s at stake when you’re facing sex crime allegations. Your freedom. Your reputation. Your career. Your family. Your future.

Our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys is ready to stand between you and the serious consequences of a sex crime conviction.

The consultation is completely confidential.

Call us now or complete our online contact form to schedule your consultation. There’s a right way and a wrong way to handle sex crime charges—let us help you protect everything that matters.

Serving clients in Raleigh, Durham, Orange, Carteret, and Chatham Counties, and throughout North Carolina.

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