Oklahoma, like all states, considers crimes against children particularly heinous, as these are some of the most vulnerable members of society. As such, crimes involving children are often punished severely. If you have been falsely accused of a sexual crime against a child, like molestation, you’ll want to keep reading. You’ll discover more about these charges, including the potential defense you may be able to utilize if you have been charged, and the importance of retaining the services of an Oklahoma sex crimes lawyer to help you fight for the best possible outcome.
What Is Child Molestation and What Are the Penalties?
There is a common misconception that child molestation refers to a specific crime or act, which is not the case in Oklahoma. In the Sooner State, child molestation is a broad term that refers to any improper sexual contact with children under 16. There are generally two specific charges that you can face for sex crimes against children.
The first child molestation charge you can face is Lewd or Indecent Proposals or Acts to a Child under 16. This essentially encompasses all inappropriate sexual contact with a child, not including rape. Actions that can warrant this charge include solicitation, exposing yourself to a minor, fondling or inappropriate touching, forcing a child to view sexual acts, or making a child touch themselves. This is a Level 3 sex offense, meaning you will be a registered sexual offender for the rest of your life. In addition, you will face a felony offense. If the child is between 12 and 15, you can face three to twenty years in prison. However, if the child is under 12, you will face a minimum sentence of 25 years behind bars.
The other criminal charge that falls under the umbrella of child molestation is Child Sex Abuse. Generally, this includes rape or child sexual exploitation, which includes producing child pornography or the sex trafficking of children. It’s important to understand that in Oklahoma, child exploitation and sex abuse are charged to parents or caretakers who knowingly and maliciously engage in this behavior. If you are charged and the child is under 12, you can face a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison. However, this offense does carry the potential of a life sentence.
What Defenses Might I Be Able to Utilize?
If you are accused of child molestation, this is not something that should be taken lightly. Even if you have not been formally charged yet, connecting with an experienced attorney as soon as you discover the allegations against you is critical. Unfortunately, many wait too long to get on top of these matters, which can have negative results. Discussing your circumstances with an attorney as soon as possible is critical.
One of the main defenses you may be able to use is that the allegations against you are the result of a vindictive party. For example, your ex-spouse may be unhappy with the custody arrangement and accuse you of molestation to get custody of the children. However, these instances are not always due to malice. If your child says something in school, a teacher could misunderstand what they mean and report it as abuse. Working with an attorney can help you gather evidence to show your innocence.
You may also have an alibi for your whereabouts when the alleged events took place. If you and your attorney can create a timeline showing that you could not have committed the acts you are accused of, you may be found not guilty.
Allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior can change your life for the worse. As such, working with an experienced attorney to fight for the best possible outcomes in these matters is critical. At the Jones Firm PLLC, we understand how difficult these matters can be, which is why our criminal defense team is committed to exploring all legal avenues to fight for you. Contact us today to learn more.
