The State of South Carolina takes sex offenses very seriously, and if you’re facing charges, you should do the same. The fact is that a conviction can alter the course of your future in profound ways that can be especially difficult to overcome. The good news is that you are not alone – an experienced South Carolina sex offense attorney is in your corner and well-prepared to help.
Sexual Assault
The charge of sexual assault falls under the umbrella of assault and battery charges in South Carolina. The charge includes the following elements:
- Nonconsensual touching of the victim’s private parts – either over or under their clothing
- Having lewd and lascivious intent, which means being lustful or otherwise sexually motivated
- Causing the victim to suffer unlawful injury
The charge can be first-degree or second-degree, depending on the level of force or coercion employed during the crime.
Rape
Rape in South Carolina is called criminal sexual conduct, and it involves sexual penetration of the victim when they don’t give consent or can’t give consent. Rape charges are divided into three degrees, and the one that applies will be based on the specific circumstances at hand.
First-degree rape involves severe circumstances, such as aggravated force, while second-degree rape involves provoked coercion, such as threatening harm with a dangerous weapon. Third-degree rape requires only that the accused use either force or coercion to penetrate the victim sexually.
Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor
Sexual conduct with a minor is always against the law. And the degree of the charge that applies – from first through third – depends on the child’s age as well as the severity of the sexual conduct. This can range from sexual battery to intentionally committing or attempting to commit a lewd act on someone who is younger than 16 years old to gratify either party’s sexual desire.
Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
Sexual exploitation of a minor relates to child pornography, which is now called child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The charge is always a felony and often requires inclusion on the sex offender registry. Third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor applies to having child pornography, second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor applies to sharing child pornography, and first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor applies to producing or selling child pornography.
You Need a Sexual Offense Lawyer Backing You Up
The focused South Carolina sexual offense attorneys at Beasley Tomlinson Law take great pride in our solid track record for successfully defending valued clients like you who are facing serious sexual offense charges, and we’re here for you. We serve all of Greenville, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Easley, Simpsonville, Pickens, Greer, and Duncan – as well as Greenville County, Spartanburg County, Pickens County, and Florence County. Learn more about what we can do to help you by contacting us online or calling us at 864-775-5787 or today.
