Federal sex offenses are generally more serious than sex offenses that violate state laws, and the penalties connected with a federal sex crime conviction are typically harsher than state-level sanctions. Many federal crimes, such as sex crimes, have mandatory minimum sentences, which are predetermined lengths of incarceration that apply to certain serious and/or violent acts.
Keep reading to learn more about the potential consequences of a conviction and contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for help from a federal criminal defense attorney.
Potential penalties for federal sex crime convictions
Defendants convicted of sex offenses in federal court will almost certainly serve time in prison, even if it is their first offense, according to the minimum sentencing standards set forth by the United States Code. And the more heinous the sex offense, the harsher the punishment will be. In general, sex crimes involving minors are punishable by substantial jail sentences under federal law.
For example, if you are charged with possessing or distributing child pornography, you might face a sentence of five to twenty years in federal prison. If you’ve been charged with sexual exploitation of children, you might face a sentence of 15 to 30 years in federal prison.
If you’ve been charged with severe sexual abuse, you might face a sentence of years to life in federal prison if you’ve been arrested. If a child is involved in the aggravated sexual abuse charge, you might face a minimum sentence of 30 years to life in prison.
It may even be possible to face prosecution in both federal and state court for the same alleged criminal conduct in some situations. If you are accused of committing a sex crime that violates both state and federal law, you may face prosecution for both.
Registration of sexual offenders on a national scale
If you are convicted of a federal sex crime, you may be required to register as a sex offender with federal authorities as well as the state in which you reside, work, or go to school for the rest of your life. Under Title 1 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, a comprehensive national sex offender registration database known as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) was established in 2006.
Following their release into the community, convicted sex offenders are monitored by the national sex offender registry, which provides information about them to local and federal authorities as well as the general public, including their name, previous offenses, employment status, place of residence, and other personal details.
Registered sex offenders have a number of restrictions, including where they can live and work, as well as how far they must remain away from public parks, schools, playgrounds, and other areas where children are present. Even registered sex offenders whose offenses did not involve a minor are subject to these restrictions.
Both state and federal registries for sex offenders exist in the United States. The national sex offender registry is a three-tiered system that divides convicted sex offenders into three categories based on the seriousness of the offense and the length of time they must remain registered as a sex offender:
- Tier I sex offenders must register for a minimum of 15 years.
- Tier II sex offenders must register for a period of 25 years.
- Tier III sex offenders must register for the rest of their lives.
To have the best chance against these and other charges, contact a criminal defense attorney right away. You can reach Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 now for a free legal consultation.
