Phoenix Sex Crime Lawyer

Phoenix Sex Crime Attorney

If you have been arrested or are under investigation for a sex crime, your choice of a lawyer can mean the difference between a life-altering sentence and freedom.

Ryan Garvey Attorneys is a Phoenix sex crimes defense firm with attorneys who have extensive experience in all types of sex crime cases, including sexual abuse, rape, child molestation, indecent exposure and prostitution. We also deal with false allegations of child molestation.

Our firm represents clients at all stages of the legal process. We represent clients who are under investigation – to help them avoid making statements that can harm their interests. After an arrest in Phoenix, AZ, we work to get the charge dropped or reduced. We are experienced plea negotiators and strong trial advocates.

You can depend on our Phoenix sex crime lawyers to provide a strong defense for you. We are skilled, aggressive and determined to obtain favorable outcomes for you. Read about our record of success in the defense of people accused of sex crimes.

Sex Offense Consequences

Sex crimes are a serious matter, and the law treats them that way. The penalties for sex crimes are often severe, and even once they are served, the impact continues, as most convicted offenders will spend the rest of their lives on the sex offender registry. Some of the consequences for a sex offense conviction include:

• Prison Sentence – Even for first-time offenders, there are almost always mandatory minimum prison sentences for sex offense convictions. Depending on the conviction, the sentence could be as little as six to thirty months for lesser crimes. For more serious crimes, it could be 13 to 27 years. First-time offenders who commit sexual crimes against individuals 12 years of age or younger, or commit sexual crimes that cause serious bodily harm, could result in life sentences. If the convicted is a repeat offender, then the penalties will increase in severity.
• Sex Offender Registry – All convicted sex offenders will need to register as sex offenders with their local sheriff’s office. Either at that time or at the end of their incarceration, they will be given an assessment. Based on the score of that assessment, they will be placed in one of three levels based on their likelihood of committing another sex crime. These levels correlate to the risk to society that the offender is believed to be, and they affect the way in which the community will be notified of the offender’s presence. For level one offenders, only those living in the same residence will be notified. Level three offenders, though, will have fliers with information about them, including their addresses, distributed to local neighborhoods, schools, and other related institutions. There may also be a press release placed in newspapers and on television. It should also be noted that being on the sex offenders registry can severely hamper one’s ability to find employment.
• Social Outcast – While not a legal consequence, it is worth noting the impact that a sex offense conviction can have on one’s social life. Being a convicted sex offender can shrink one’s circle of relationships, as it may lead many to distance themselves from the offender. Even familial relationships and long-term friendships can be strained or severed by the dynamic. Building new relationships can also be difficult.

The consequences of a sex crime conviction are something you’ll want to avoid if at all possible. Working with the right criminal defense attorney may help you do that.

Act Now to Protect Yourself

Do not speak with a police officer or investigator without first talking with a criminal defense attorney. If the police want to talk with you, they are in the process of collecting evidence that could be used against you.

We can advise you about how to respond in a way that protects you. If a loved one has been arrested, we can represent you in jail court to obtain the release of the accused or to get a lower bail if bail is available.

Sex Crimes Attorneys FAQs

Q: Can You Get Off the Sex Offender Registry?

A: In most cases, it is impossible to get off the sex offender registry. There are serious consequences to being on the registry, from employment concerns to social stigma. However, there are a few cases where it may be possible to get off the registry. They include: 

• For some lesser charges, when offenders have completed all the requirements of their sentence, they may appeal to the courts to have their registration end after 10 years.
• Typically, juvenile offenders will be able to stop registering once they turn 25.
• In very limited cases where the victim of sexual assault with a minor person was between the ages of 15 and 17, and the offender was under the age of 22, it may be possible to petition for removal from the sex offenders list.

Q: What Are the Different Levels of Sex Offenses in Arizona?

A: Almost every sex crime in the state of Arizona will result in the convicted being added to the sex offender registry. This comes with a series of different requirements and public notifications. The exact nature of the requirements will depend on the risk level associated with the individual on the registry, although all offenders are required to register with their local sheriff’s office or risk another felony conviction. Arizona has three risk levels, which are determined based on an assessment that is conducted by an Arizona agency. The assessment may be done at the end of a prison sentence or when registering at the local sheriff’s office. This assessment score will determine the likelihood of reoffending, which will determine the level. The three levels are:

• Level One – Offenders at this level are thought to be at the least risk of reoffending. In these cases, records of the individual and pertinent information will be recorded at the local sheriff’s office. If the individual lives with anyone else, then the sheriff will likely inform those people of the registration.
• Level Two – Individuals who fall into this level, based on their assessment score, are believed to have a moderate risk of reoffending. At this level, the notification process is more widespread, including nearby households, schools, your employer, and other groups that are deemed relevant.
• Level Three – Offenders whose assessment scores place them in level three are deemed to have a high risk of reoffending. In these cases, the sheriff will contact neighborhoods near your home, your employer, and nearby schools. It’s likely that flyers with your name, address, criminal record, and photographs will be distributed. A press release may also be sent out to the local newspaper and television stations.

Q: What Factors Are Considered in the Sexual Offender Assessment Screening?

A: Arizona’s sex offender registry is segmented into three levels based on a convict’s likelihood to re-offend. The level is determined based on an assessment given by the sheriff’s office or at the end of the offender’s incarceration. The assessment considers 19 different factors in determining their likelihood to re-offend. They are:

• Number of past convictions for crimes involving sexual conduct (either misdemeanor or felony)
• Non-sexual past felony convictions
• Age at the time of their first sex offense conviction
• Sex offense-related arrests, even if the case was dismissed
• If there was a weapon involved in any of the convicted sex offenses
• Number of victims of sexual offense from the offender’s crimes, including cases that were dismissed for a plea deal
• The offender’s and victim’s relationship
• The victims’ gender
• If excessive force was used to commit any sexual offense
• Aggravating circumstances, such as:
  • Mutilation or torture of the victim
  • Binding or tying up the victim
  • Length of offense beyond three hours
  • If the victim was moved by force to another location during the crime
• If the first sex offense was committed more than five years ago
• If the offender has an IQ below 70, mental illness, or mood disorder
• Alcohol or drug use by the offender
• Any sexually deviant interests, including necrophilia, pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, bestiality, sexual sadism, sexual masochism, or fetishes
• The offender’s job status or education commitments prior to conviction
• If, during incarceration, the offender faced a primary disciplinary matter
• The time between the release from incarceration for a prior offense and the most recent felony offense if this is not the first offense
• The completion of an attorney general-approved sexual offender treatment course during incarceration
• The completion of drug abuse treatment during incarceration

Q: What Should I Do If I Get Arrested for a Sex Offense?

A: If you find yourself getting arrested for a sex offense, you want to be careful during the process. Understandably, you might be upset, indignant, embarrassed, and overall not clear-headed. That state of mind, though, is something that the police may use to their ends. They are trained to try and coax a confession from you, and a fragile state of mind can leave you at greater risk of giving in. If you find yourself being arrested, you will want to keep three things in mind:

• Stay Silent – Avoid saying anything to the police without your lawyer present. They could very well use something you may say against you. Police are well-trained in the art of getting someone to confess to crimes, even if they didn’t commit them. Even attempts at casual conversation may really be an attempt to get you to lower your guard. You have a right to remain silent. You’re going to be better off if you use it.
• Stay Calm – You might be angry and upset at the situation. It’s not irrational to want to act out, but it’s critical that you remain calm. Emotional outbursts could lead to you saying or doing something that might work against you later.
• Contact Ryan Garvey Attorneys – It’s our job to ensure that your rights are protected and preserved throughout the legal process. The sooner we are aware of the situation, the sooner we can ensure that you aren’t coerced into saying something that may be used against you. We can also begin building a defense for you.

Call Us at Any Hour for a Free Consultation

Contact us online or call 602-786-5221 for a free initial consultation. A sex crime defense attorney is available to talk with you 24 hours a day. We are ready to fight for you.

Ryan Garvey Attorneys is located in Phoenix, Arizona. Our criminal defense lawyers represent clients throughout the state of Arizona, providing only the greatest sex crimes defense for charges such as:

• Sexual abuse
• Sexual assault
• Indecent exposure
• Public indecency
• Sexual conduct with a minor
• Child molestation
• Luring a minor for sexual exploitation
• Failing to register as a sex offender
• Solicitation of a prostitute
• Prostitution
• Sexual exploitation of a minor/child pornography

These charges come with serious and significant consequences. In many cases, the prison sentences and fines can pale in comparison with the challenges of spending the rest of one’s life on the sex offender registry. You need someone who is serious about seeing you get every opportunity you can to clear your name and avoid the harsh penalties associated with a sex crime conviction.

At Ryan Garvey Attorneys, our lead attorney’s firsthand experience as a successful prosecutor gives us an advantage when planning to defend against the prosecution’s case. We defend our clients’ rights and fight for their freedom. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.