September 24, 2014

Have you found yourself facing sexual abuse charges? Maybe someone you love has been accused? You might not know where to turn and or what your next steps should be. How do you fight the charges? What will your fate be? Will you face jail time? Fines? Before you can get any of these questions answered, you need to find a qualified Toledo attorney to represent you.

Because having a sexual abuse charge, or charges, in your past can hinder your future, it’s crucial that you obtain expert representation from the start. Some of these long and short-term consequences are: job limitations, residential restrictions, jail time, fines, possible civil lawsuits, and years of registering as a sex offender. These can be very serious, so it would only make sense to find an attorney who will take your case seriously, too.

Breaking Down Your Sexual Abuse Defense

Upon hearing your case, your attorney will advise you about what your legal options are. The outcome of your case, and ultimately the way your life may look after a sexual abuse charge, can be affected by your defense. It’s important to have a skilled attorney on your side to defend your case and guarantee that all of your legal rights are protected. Your defense attorney will break down your options for you and decide what the best avenue is to build your case.

• Innocence: This is pretty cut-and-dry. “You didn’t do it.” If you believe that you have been falsely accused of a sexual abuse crime, your attorney will work to establish proof that you didn’t do it. By establishing an alibi, your attorney will prove that you couldn’t have been guilty of sexual abuse.
• Consent: This defense insists that the sexual encounter that occurred between you and your accuser was mutually consensual. Proving this defense can be challenging, though, because your defense will have to provide significant evidence to support willful choice from both parties. Mutual consent can also be difficult to prove if your accuser was: a minor, mentally challenged, or temporarily incapacitated. There are many factors that the court will look at, but the right attorney will gather witness testimony, look at your accuser’s past history, and examine all possible avenues before pursuing this defense.
• Insanity: There may be a possibility that you were not of sound mind or judgment at the time that the incident occurred. Your attorney will look at your own mental health history, and mental development to determine if this is a possible defense for your case.

Sexual abuse charges are a serious legal issue that should be addressed thoroughly. A sexual abuse accusation can carry weight that stays with the accused for a lifetime. Whether you are guilty or not, a highly qualified attorney should only care about one thing¾ defending all of your legal rights to ensure that the prosecution proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are guilty.

As a sexual abuse attorney here in Northwest Ohio, I provide every one of my clients with the time, dedication, and confidentiality they deserve. If you’re in need of representation, don’t settle for the wrong attorney to handle your case. Choose an attorney with the ability to help you get the best possible outcome available. Call my office today to schedule your free, confidential case evaluation.

Call Toledo, OH lawyer Michael E. Bryant today for all of your legal needs.

Find Michael E. Bryant online at www.mebryantlaw.com, visit our law office in Toledo, OH on the second floor of 1119 Adams St. or call us at (419) 243-3922.