New YorkSex Crimes
Sex crime allegations in New York carry severe consequences including prison sentences, mandatory sex offender registration, and permanent damage to your reputation and career. If you are under investigation or have been charged with a sex offense, it is critical to seek experienced legal representation immediately to protect your rights and your future.
New York prosecutors aggressively pursue sex crime cases. These cases often involve complex evidence such as DNA testing, digital communications, and witness testimony. A skilled defense attorney can challenge evidence, protect your constitutional rights, and fight to prevent conviction or registration.
Sexual Abuse Charges
Sexual abuse involves unwanted sexual contact or touching without consent. Depending on the circumstances and the age of those involved, these charges may be prosecuted as misdemeanors or serious felony offenses.
Rape and Sexual Assault
Rape and sexual assault are among the most serious sex crimes in New York and can result in lengthy prison sentences. Defense strategies often focus on consent, forensic evidence, and credibility of testimony.
Criminal Sexual Act
Criminal sexual act charges involve allegations of non-consensual oral or anal sexual conduct. The severity of charges may increase if force, threats, or age differences are involved.
Child Pornography Offenses
Possession, distribution, or production of child pornography is aggressively prosecuted under both state and federal law and may result in mandatory sex offender registration and severe prison sentences.
Internet Sex Crimes
Online investigations and sting operations often lead to charges such as solicitation, luring, or attempted exploitation of a minor.
Prostitution and Solicitation Charges
Solicitation, patronizing prostitution, or related offenses can lead to criminal penalties, particularly when minors are involved.
Severe Legal Consequences
Convictions may result in prison time, probation, sex offender registration, and long-term restrictions on housing, employment, and travel.
Defending Sex Crime Allegations
Defense strategies often include challenging witness testimony, analyzing forensic evidence, and exposing investigative errors or constitutional violations.
Importance of Early Legal Representation
Immediate legal assistance can help protect your rights, prevent damaging statements, and strengthen your defense from the earliest stage of an investigation.
Our legal team conducts thorough investigations, reviews forensic and digital evidence, challenges police procedures, and works with experts when necessary. We fight to reduce charges, prevent registration requirements, or obtain complete dismissal whenever possible.
Aggravated Identity Theft charges carry a Mandatory Minimum sentence that cannot be served concurrently.
Don’t wait. Speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer today.
Sex crime allegations in New York carry devastating consequences, including lengthy prison sentences, mandatory lifetime sex offender registration, and permanent damage to reputation and career. These cases require immediate intervention by experienced legal counsel who understands the complexity and sensitivity of defending against sexual misconduct allegations.
At the Law Offices of Matthew Cohan, we provide strategic, discreet, and aggressive representation for individuals facing sex crime charges throughout New York City and surrounding counties. We understand that accusations alone can destroy lives, and we fight to protect your rights, freedom, and future.
Common Sex Crime Charges in New York
New York Penal Law Article 130 defines a wide range of sexual offenses. We defend clients against all types of charges, including:
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves unwanted sexual contact without consent.
Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree (PL § 130.55):
- Classification: Class B misdemeanor
- Penalties: Up to 90 days in jail, probation
- SORA registration may apply in certain circumstances
Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree (PL § 130.60):
- Classification: Class A misdemeanor
- Penalties: Up to 1 year in jail
- Mandatory SORA registration
Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (PL § 130.65):
- Classification: Class D violent felony
- Penalties: Up to 7 years in prison
- Mandatory SORA registration and post-release supervision
These are among the most serious sex crime offenses in New York.
Rape in the Third Degree (PL § 130.25):
- Classification: Class E felony
- Penalties: Up to 4 years in prison
- Mandatory SORA registration
Rape in the Second Degree (PL § 130.30):
- Classification: Class D felony
- Penalties: Up to 7 years in prison
- Mandatory SORA registration
Rape in the First Degree (PL § 130.35):
- Classification: Class B violent felony
- Penalties: 5 to 25 years in prison
- Mandatory minimum: 5 years
- Mandatory SORA registration and lengthy post-release supervision
Skilled cross-examination, forensic review, and investigation of consent issues are critical to defending these charges.
Criminal Sexual Act
Criminal sexual act involves oral or anal sexual conduct without consent.
Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree (PL § 130.40):
- Classification: Class E felony
- Penalties: Up to 4 years in prison
Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree (PL § 130.45):
- Classification: Class D felony
- Penalties: Up to 7 years in prison
Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree (PL § 130.50):
- Classification: Class B violent felony
- Penalties: 5 to 25 years in prison
- Mandatory minimum: 5 years
All criminal sexual act convictions require mandatory SORA registration.
Aggravated Sexual Abuse
Aggravated sexual abuse involves insertion of foreign objects or other conduct causing physical injury.
Fourth Degree (PL § 130.65-a):
- Classification: Class E felony
- Penalties: Up to 4 years in prison
Third Degree (PL § 130.66):
- Classification: Class D felony
- Penalties: Up to 7 years in prison
Second Degree (PL § 130.67):
- Classification: Class C felony
- Penalties: Up to 15 years in prison
First Degree (PL § 130.70):
- Classification: Class B violent felony
- Penalties: 5 to 25 years in prison
Child Pornography Offenses
Possession, promotion, or production of child pornography can lead to both state and federal prosecution.
Sexual Performance by a Child (PL § 263.05, § 263.10, § 263.15, § 263.16):
- Classifications range from Class E to Class B felonies
- Federal charges often carry mandatory minimum sentences
- Mandatory registration and severe sentencing enhancements
Internet Sex Crimes
Online investigations and sting operations frequently result in charges including:
- Luring a child (PL § 120.70)
- Disseminating indecent material to minors (PL § 235.22)
- Use of a child in a sexual performance (PL § 263.05)
These cases require careful analysis of police conduct, entrapment issues, and digital evidence authentication.
Prostitution-Related Offenses
Patronizing a Person for Prostitution (PL § 230.04, § 230.05, § 230.06):
- Classifications range from Class A misdemeanor to Class D felony
- Enhanced penalties when minors are involved
Penalties for Sex Crimes in New York
Penalties vary based on the specific charge, age of alleged victim, use of force, and prior criminal history. Consequences include:
Incarceration:
- Misdemeanors: Up to 1 year in jail
- Class E felonies: Up to 4 years in prison
- Class D felonies: Up to 7 years in prison
- Class C felonies: Up to 15 years in prison
- Class B violent felonies: 5 to 25 years with mandatory minimums
Sex Offender Registration (SORA):
Most sex crime convictions require lifetime registration with periodic verification. Registration levels (1, 2, or 3) determine public disclosure and restrictions.
Post-Release Supervision:
Lengthy mandatory supervision periods following prison sentences.
Collateral Consequences:
- Employment barriers and professional licensing restrictions
- Housing limitations and residence restrictions
- Internet and social media restrictions
- Immigration consequences including deportation for non-citizens
- Loss of custody or visitation rights
- Permanent damage to personal and professional reputation
Early intervention by experienced counsel is essential to avoiding or minimizing these consequences.
Defending Sex Crime Cases
Every allegation presents unique circumstances requiring tailored defense strategies:
Challenging the Evidence:
Many sex crime cases rely heavily on testimonial evidence. We examine inconsistencies in statements, motives to fabricate, relationship dynamics, and procedural errors in investigations and forensic interviews.
Forensic Analysis:
DNA evidence, digital devices, medical examinations, and forensic interview recordings often contain weaknesses that can be uncovered through expert review and independent testing.
Consent Defense:
In cases involving adults, consent is often a viable and central defense strategy. We investigate the relationship history, communications, and circumstances surrounding the alleged incident.
Constitutional Violations:
If law enforcement obtained evidence without proper warrants, coerced statements, violated Miranda rights, or engaged in entrapment, we pursue suppression of evidence or dismissal of charges.
False Allegations:
We thoroughly investigate motives for false accusations, including custody disputes, financial motivations, relationship conflicts, or third-party influence.
Negotiated Resolutions:
When appropriate, we work to secure reduced charges, non-registerable offenses, or alternative dispositions that protect your future and avoid lifetime registration requirements.
What to Do If You Are Accused
If you are contacted by law enforcement or believe you may be accused, take immediate protective steps:
Do not speak to law enforcement without an attorney present. Any statements can be used against you. Exercise your right to remain silent and request legal representation.
Do not contact the accuser. Any contact, even attempts to clarify or explain, can be misconstrued and used as evidence of consciousness of guilt or witness intimidation.
Preserve all evidence. Maintain text messages, emails, social media interactions, and any other communications or evidence that may be relevant to your defense.
Contact an attorney immediately. Early legal intervention can prevent charges from being filed, protect your rights during investigation, and begin building your defense.
Even brief conversations with investigators can significantly damage your case. You are always entitled to legal representation before speaking to police.
Early Intervention:
We intervene before charges are filed when possible, protecting your rights during the investigation phase and preventing damaging statements to law enforcement.
Constitutional Challenges:
We identify and challenge illegal searches, unlawful seizures, improper interrogations, and Miranda violations that can result in evidence suppression or case dismissal.
Credibility Analysis:
We expose inconsistencies, contradictions, and credibility issues in accusers' statements through thorough cross-examination preparation and investigation of motives.
Forensic Expertise:
We work with forensic experts to analyze DNA evidence, digital forensics, medical records, and forensic interview techniques for weaknesses and alternative explanations.
Strategic Negotiation:
When appropriate, we negotiate with prosecutors for charge reductions, non-registerable dispositions, or favorable plea agreements that protect your future.
Trial Preparation:
We prepare every case for trial, developing comprehensive strategies to challenge the prosecution's evidence and present compelling defenses.
Having prosecuted sex crimes cases, we understand how District Attorneys build these prosecutions, what evidence they need to secure convictions, and where their cases are most vulnerable.
Former Prosecutor Advantage
As your New York criminal defense lawyer with experience as a former prosecutor, we understand how prosecutors evaluate sex crime allegations, what evidence they require to proceed with charges, and which cases present prosecutorial weaknesses. This background provides significant advantages in challenging evidence, negotiating favorable outcomes, and preparing for trial.
Contact Us Today
Sex crime allegations require immediate legal action. At the Law Offices of Matthew Cohan, we provide confidential consultations and immediate guidance to protect your rights and future.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced New York sex crimes defense attorney who can begin building your defense. Call (516) 375-1107 or submit our online contact form. We are available 24/7 for emergencies.
Aggravated Identity Theft charges carry a Mandatory Minimum sentence that cannot be served concurrently.
Don’t wait. Speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer today.
Contact Us
Kew Gardens, New York 11415
Smithtown, New York 11787