Chicago Rape Crime Defense Attorney
Trusted and Proven Legal Defense
Being convicted of rape will impact your entire life. Even after you have served your time, the consequences of the sex offenders list and the stigma of your conviction will continue to follow you around. If you have been accused of rape or attempted rape, contact the Law Office of Steven Fine today. Our Chicago rape defense lawyer can provide the skilled defense your case needs and assist you through the legalities of the sex crime law system.
Share the details of your case in a confidential consultation!
About Rape Charges and Cases
Rape is a form of sexual assault that involves sexual intercourse and other forms of penetration without the consent of one of the parties. There are different forms in which rape charges can occur, depending on the intent, whether or not alcohol or drugs were purposefully used to sedate the victim, and the age of the victim.
Charges of Attempted Rape
Attempted rape is when an individual intends to forcible rape another individual. Unlike rape charges, attempted rape is considered a misdemeanor crime.
Attempted rape charges are determined by two factors:
- An overt act;
- An intention to rape at the time of the overt act.
An overt act is an action backed with criminal intent that is proven by evidence. Because there is only the intention of rape in attempted rape cases, intent and state of mind can more easily be defended.
Charges of Date Rape
This non-legal term is used to describe forcible sexual contact during a consensual social interaction that one of the parties resists or is unable to resist. This does not mean that the incident happens within the context of a date or dating situation. Often, date rape is used to describe situations in which one party is drugged or too intoxicated to give consent. Those could be arrested for date rape if they used drugs, such as roofies, to sedate the other party member.
Charges of Statutory Rape
Statutory rape is initiating or participating in sexual intercourse with a minor or someone under the legal age of consent. According to Illinois law, an individual under the age of 17 is incapable of giving lawful sexual consent. In cases of statutory rape, it does not matter if the sexual contact was a consensual social interaction. Claiming that the victim lied about his or her age or showed a fake ID is not a reasonable defense for these kinds of cases. However, there are situations in which a defendant can be charged with a misdemeanor instead of a felony level offense.
These situations include:
- If the victim is at least 9-years-old and the defendant is under the age of 17
- If the victim is at least 13-years-old and the defendant is less than five years older than the victim
Because sexual activity between an adult and a minor is illegal, there are numerous offenses and charges that do not involve physical penetration or statutory rape. Our firm can provide defense for your case if you are facing child molestation or child pornography charges.
Defending You against Rape Charges & Accusations
If you have been charged with rape or attempted rape, no doubt you are worried about your future and your reputation. Because of the seriousness of rape crimes, many people in society are quick to label defendants as guilty without actually looking at the facts. It is a sad reality that many people are accused of rape when they are completely innocent, whether because they have an angry ex who is trying to get revenge or a spouse who is trying to gain child custody. Our Chicago rape defense attorney understands and believes that every individual deserves committed defense.
Contact our firm today to get started—call our office at (312) 436-0638!