Columbus Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer

Our Columbus sex crimes attorneys are fully equipped to handle cases involving:

Rape (O.R.C. 2907.02)

It is illegal for a person to compel another person to engage in sexual conduct with them by:

• Using or threatening force
• Impairing the other person with drugs, intoxicants, or a controlled substance
• Knowing the alleged victim has a mental or physical condition that prevents them from resisting or consenting

It is also considered rape when a person has sex with someone under the age of 18, regardless of whether or not the person knew their age.

Rape is generally considered a first-degree felony.

Sexual Battery (O.R.C. 2907.03)

Sexual battery occurs when a person engages in sexual conduct with another person by coercing the other person in any manner that would prevent a person of ordinary resolution from resisting. This includes when the person’s ability to assess the situation is substantially impaired and the defendant is aware of that, or the defendant is a teacher, administrator, coach, or other school employee and the alleged victim is enrolled at the school. Sexual battery is generally considered a third-degree felony.

Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor (O.R.C. 2907.04)

An adult who engages in sexual conduct with a minor who is 13 to 16 years old can be charged with this offense, a fourth-degree felony.

Public Indecency (O.R.C. 2907.09)

Public indecency can be charged when a person knowingly or recklessly does any of the following acts when someone other than members of their household is nearby:

• Expose their private parts
• Engage in sexual conduct
• Masturbate
• Engage in any other conduct that an ordinary observer would believe was sexual conduct or masturbation

Public indecency is usually charged as a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

Compelling Prostitution (O.R.C. 2907.21)

Compelling prostitution is a third-degree felony in Ohio.

Voyeurism (O.R.C. 2907.08)

Ohio outlaws doing any of the following acts to another person for the purpose of sexually arousing or gratifying themselves:

• Eavesdropping
• Videotaping
• Filming
• Photographing
• Recording

Voyeurism is typically charged as a third-degree misdemeanor.

At Patituce & Associates, LLC, we know that being accused of any sex offense can be a challenge. Your reputation is on the line. That is why we represent clients who are accused of other sex crimes, including:

• Gross sexual imposition (O.R.C. 2907.05)
• Sexual imposition (O.R.C. 2907.06)
• Importuning (O.R.C. 2907.07)
• Commercial sexual exploitation of a minor (O.R.C. 2907.19)
• Promoting prostitution (O.R.C. 2907.22)
• Enticement or solicitation to patronize a prostitute; procurement of a prostitute for another (O.R.C. 2907.23)
• Payment for medical examination and test of any victim or accused (O.R.C. 2907.28)
• Disseminating matter harmful to juveniles (O.R.C. 2907.31)
• Displaying matter harmful to juveniles (O.R.C. 2907.311)
• Pandering obscenity (O.R.C. 2907.32)
• Pandering obscenity to a minor (O.R.C. 2907.321)
• Pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor (O.R.C. 2907.322)
• Illegal use of minor in nudity-oriented material or performance (O.R.C. 2907.323)
• Deception to obtain matter harmful to juveniles (O.R.C. 2907.33)
• Compelling acceptance of objectionable materials (O.R.C. 2907.34)
• Permitting unlawful operation of viewing booths depicting sexual conduct (O.R.C. 2907.38)
• Permitting juvenile on premises of adult entertainment establishment; use of false information to gain entry (O.R.C. 2907.39)
• Illegally operating a sexually oriented business (O.R.C. 2907.40)

In Ohio, a sex crime can be a low-level misdemeanor to a serious felony. The potential penalty depends on how the crime is classified, as well as individual circumstances that may elevate the crime.

Possible penalties for sex crimes in Ohio include:

• First-degree felony – Up to 16.5 years in prison, up to $20,000 in fines
• Second-degree felony – Up to 12 years in prison, up to $15,000 in fines
• Third-degree felony – Up to 36 months in prison, up to $10,000 in fines
• Fourth-degree felony – Up to 18 months in prison, up to $5,000 in fines
• Fifth-degree felony – Up to 12 months in prison, up to $2,500 in fines
• First-degree misdemeanor – Up to 180 days in jail, up to $1,000 in fines
• Second-degree misdemeanor – Up to 90 days in jail, up to $750 in fines
• Third-degree misdemeanor – Up to 60 days in jail, up to $500 in fines
• Fourth-degree misdemeanor – Up to 30 days in jail, up to $250 in fines

Additionally, a conviction of a sex crime may require the defendant to register as a sex offender for a specified period of time. The length and frequency of registration depend on which tier the offense is classified under, as follows:

• Tier I – Registration for 15 years, once a year, and can then petition for removal after 10 years
• Tier II – Registration for 25 years, every six months
• Tier III – Registration for life, every three months