Ontario Sex Crime Defence Law Firm
The Criminal Code of Canada has one basic charge for a multitude of activities that have a sexual connotation: sexual assault. Other sexual offences that can be charged in addition to sexual assault may include aggravated sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching, sexual assault with a weapon (or causing bodily harm), sexual exploitation, and many others.
Sexual assault can include kissing, unwarranted touching of another in the subway, or hugging someone in a manner that is perceived as overly amorous and unwelcome. It can also include "date rape" or rape by a person unknown to the alleged victim. (There is no specific rape charge in the code.) You can be charged with aggravated sexual assault for having consensual sex with a partner, but failing to tell him or her that you have a transmittable sexual disease.
If you have been charged with sexual assault, or any other sex crime, please contact the criminal defence lawyers of Cohen, Sabsay LLP as soon as possible. We are proud of our record of success in sexual assault cases.
Consequences of Conviction
Many people arrested for sexual assault fail to understand the serious and lasting consequences of conviction. Prosecutors will seek extended periods of incarceration, but jail or prison time is only the beginning. The name of everyone who is convicted of sexual assault is entered into a sexual offender registry and can stay there for years — sometimes for life. Registered sex offenders are prohibited from entering the U.S. They can find it difficult if not impossible to get a job or a place to live. A conviction can negatively impact your parental rights to child custody or visitation.
Don't Make This Mistake
In order to avoid serious jail time, some innocent-but-accused people will plead guilty in order to spare the alleged victim of the trauma of testifying. In addition to a criminal sentence, they may be slapped with a civil lawsuit. Students may face expulsion hearings at their schools, and employees may be wrongfully dismissed from their positions.
Our lawyers will work diligently to minimize the potential consequences of a sexual assault charge in all areas of the law and in your life. We represent men, women, adults and minors charged with sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault with a weapon.
Based on the facts of your case, we will explore all appropriate defences, for example:
- No sexual assault occurred
- A sexual assault may have occurred, but our client was not the person who did it.
- The alleged victim may have a motive for lying about the alleged assault, such as gaining an advantage in a divorce or child custody arrangement
- Our client may have honestly believed the contact was consensual
Please do not plead guilty to a criminal charge without first speaking to the Toronto sexual assault defence lawyers at Cohen, Sabsay LLP. Contact us to arrange an initial consultation and case evaluation.
