Illinois Sex Crime Defense Attorney

Criminal Defense Lawyer Assisting Clients Charged With Child Pornography, Sexual Assault and Rape

Sexual offenses are among the most serious crimes someone can be charged with. Due to the stigma surrounding these offenses, a mere accusation can have long-lasting consequences, and a conviction can permanently affect a person's ability to find employment and housing.

While sex crimes should be taken seriously, the fact remains that people are often falsely accused of sexual offenses. If you have been accused of a sex crime, you need an experienced, knowledgeable defense attorney on your side. No matter the nature of the charges, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and a skilled attorney can protect your rights, examine the evidence, and determine the best approach to take in your defense.

Sex Offender Registration

Sex offenses come with harsh punishments, but even after someone has served their time in prison, a conviction will continue to follow them for years to come. If you are convicted of a sex crime such as sexual assault, sexual abuse, or child pornography, you will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years, or, if you are classified as a sexual predator, for the rest of your life.

Being included in the sex offender registry will result in restrictions on where you can live, work, and travel. Sex offenders cannot enter school grounds or live or loiter within 500 feet of a school, and they are restricted from entering public parks. They will be required to register annually, and this registration comes with a $100 fee.

Defenses Against Sex Crime Charges

Successful defense against sexual offense charges requires an attorney who can examine the evidence, find inconsistencies, and exploit weaknesses in the prosecution's case. Some common strategies when defending against sex crimes include:

• Consent - Demonstrating that the alleged victim consented to sexual contact will show that the behavior in question did not constitute sexual assault.
• Problems with evidence - Inconsistencies in eyewitness testimony to the alleged crime can be used to show that there is reasonable doubt that the crime occurred. If any DNA or forensic evidence exists, improper or unreliable testing procedures can call this evidence into question.
• Illegally obtained evidence - If police officers violated Constitutional rights against illegal search and seizure (for example, by searching the contents of a computer without a search warrant), any evidence obtained will be inadmissible in court.
• The accuser's motives - If an alleged victim has an agenda for making accusations of sex crimes, such as gaining an advantage in a family law dispute, their motives can be called into question.

A History of Successful Criminal Defense

Attorney Stephen M. Komie has over 40 years of experience defending clients against criminal charges, including several successful sex crime defense cases.

In one high-profile case, Mr. Komie represented Sandra Fabiano, a day-care center operator in Palos Hills, Illinois who was accused of sexually molesting multiple preschool-aged children. By finding inconsistencies in the prosecution's evidence, calling the motives of the child's cocaine-using mother into question, and attacking improper police investigation procedures, Mr. Komie was able to demonstrate his client's innocence. Ms. Fabiano was acquitted of all charges in the initial case, and subsequent charges were dropped.

If you have been accused of a sex crime, be prepared to be tried in the court of public opinion as you defend yourself against criminal charges. The dedicated attorneys of Komie and Associates will stand by your side throughout this process, thoroughly investigate your case, examine the evidence, and aggressively advocate for your exoneration. Contact an Illinois sex crime defense attorney today at 312-263-2800 to schedule a free consultation.