Florence Sex Crimes Attorney

Given the devastating consequences of a sexual offense, it is no wonder that sex crimes are accompanied by the most severe penalties in South Carolina. Understandably, sex crimes against children are punished more severely than other sex crimes. At Swilley Law Firm, LLC, we have experience defending clients accused of misdemeanors and felonies, preventing them from spending time behind bars.

We understand the burden that you are placed under when faced with a sexual offense charge. Whether you are under federal or state investigation, our Florence sex crimes attorney is here to explain your rights under the law.

Types of Cases We Handle

Swilley Law Firm, LLC, has experience representing clients charged with:

• Criminal sexual conduct
• Criminal sexual conduct with a minor
• Rape
• Sexual exploitation of a minor
• Indecent exposure
• Sexual battery
• Disseminating obscenity
• Disseminating obscene material to a minor
• Prostitution

How Does South Carolina Define Criminal Sexual Conduct?

Criminal sexual conduct is a charge that is often misunderstood. Under SC Code §16-3-652, an individual may be charged with three degrees of criminal sexual conduct based on the circumstances of your offense.

The three degrees of criminal sexual conduct are defined under South Carolina law as:

Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First Degree

A person commits first-degree criminal sexual conduct when the individual uses force or threatens to use physical force (known as sexual battery) and any one or more of the following is proven:

• The accused uses aggravated force to accomplish sexual battery.
• The victim submits to sexual battery while also being the victim of forcible confinement, kidnapping, robbery, extortion, or any similar offense.
• The accused causes the victim to become physically or mentally incapacitated due to administering a controlled substance or alcoholic beverage.

If you are found guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, you may be imprisoned for up to 30 years.

Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Second Degree

A person is guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree if he or she uses aggravated coercion (threatens to use force to get someone to do something) to accomplish sexual battery. Second-degree criminal sexual conduct is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Third Degree

An individual will be found guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree if the person engages in sexual battery with the victim and either of the following is proven:

• The accused uses force or coercion to accomplish sexual battery, with no aggravating circumstances being present.
• The accused knows or should know that the victim is mentally or physically handicapped.

Criminal sexual conduct in the third degree is punishable by a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

Why Should I Hire an Attorney to Defend Sex Crime Charges?

If you are facing accusations of a federal sex crime, various federal agencies may conduct investigations, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Attorney General, and the Secret Service, to name a few. If there is enough evidence against you, then a prosecutor will press charges.

When you are accused of such a heinous act, you need dedicated counsel to build a strong defense. The government will employ its copious resources to build a case against you, and you deserve skilled representation to defend the charges you are facing. At Swilley Law Firm, LLC, we believe that every defendant deserves effective representation, especially when that person’s freedom is at risk. 

Our firm offers more than skilled representation. If there is evidence that you were the victim of an illegal search and seizure, we will conduct our own investigation to determine if law enforcement broke the law. If so, we will take the appropriate steps to ensure that your Fourth Amendment rights are restored.

A Florence Sex Crimes Attorney Fighting for You

A sex crime charge comes with severe consequences which can forever alter the course of your life. If you are the target of a government investigation, our Florence sex crimes attorney is ready to provide you with aggressive representation. We are not afraid to stand up to law enforcement and a state or federal prosecutor. To arrange your free consultation with Swilley Law Firm, LLC, contact us online or by phone today.