Baltimore Child Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers

Legal Representation for Child Sex Crime Charges in Baltimore, Maryland

Few criminal cases have consequences that are as severe as charges involving sexual offenses against children. A conviction for any sex crime charge involving children in Maryland can result in decades of imprisonment, lifetime sex offender registration, and collateral consequences that can affect a person's life long after their sentence has been served. Even an accusation can destroy a person's reputation, career, and family relationships.

The attorneys at Silverman Thompson represent people in Baltimore and across Maryland who are facing child sex crime charges. We provide strong legal representation during every stage of a criminal case. Our legal team approaches these cases with the seriousness they demand, fighting to protect our clients' constitutional rights and determining the most effective defenses under the law.

Why Legal Representation Matters in Child Sex Crime Cases

Working with a skilled attorney from the earliest stages of a child sex crime case can be crucial. These cases move quickly. Law enforcement agencies will put forth extensive resources to investigate child sex offenses, and prosecutors will pursue convictions aggressively. The evidence collected during an investigation, including digital records, forensic examinations, and witness statements, can play an important role in a case, and it is important to begin addressing this evidence quickly.

People who attempt to speak with investigators without having an attorney present may make statements or take actions that could damage their defense. Anything a person says, including their attempts to explain what happened or show that they are innocent, will be likely to be used as evidence of their guilt. One of the most important things a person can do is invoke their right to remain silent and refuse to answer any questions until they have first spoken to an attorney.

There are a variety of other legal matters that a person may need to address in addition to defending against child sex crime charges in criminal court. A person could face a civil lawsuit, investigations by child protective services, and immigration consequences if they are a non-citizen. Our attorneys can advise clients on all of the ways they may be affected, and we will make sure they fully understand the consequences they may face and the legal options that are available to them.

Types of Child Sex Crime Charges in Maryland

There are multiple types of sexual offenses involving children that may apply in a case. These charges may include:

Sexual Assault Against a Minor

When a person has been accused of engaging in any form of sexual conduct involving a minor, they could face charges of sexual assault. Depending on the circumstances of a case, a person could be charged with rape or a sexual offense. The specific charges may depend on whether the allegations involve intercourse or other sexual conduct, whether force or weapons were allegedly used, and the difference in age between the alleged perpetrator and the alleged victim.

Charges of rape may involve sexual intercourse or other types of sexual acts. A person could face these charges if they are accused of committing or causing a child to commit acts such as cunnilingus, analingus, fellatio, anal intercourse, or penetration of the anus or genitals with an object or any part of the body.

Because of the seriousness of these offenses, harsher penalties may apply than in sexual assault cases involving adults. Depending on the specific charges, a person may face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 to 25 years, and they could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Sexual Abuse of a Minor

A person who has custody of a child or is responsible for supervising a minor could be accused of sexual abuse. These charges may apply in cases where parents, stepparents, guardians, household members, childcare providers, or others who had responsibility over a child are accused of engaging in sexual activities. In addition to charges related to direct physical contact, this offense may involve allegations that a person caused a child to engage in or observe sexual conduct. A conviction can lead to a lengthy prison term and sex offender registration.

Child Pornography Offenses

Allegations related to the production, distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography can lead to some of the most serious criminal charges that a person could face. Material that depicts minors engaging in sexual conduct is known as child sexual abuse material (CSAM). A person who has been accused of downloading these materials, obtaining photographs or films of minors in sexual situations, trading materials with others, or distributing them online could face criminal charges at both the state and federal levels.

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

Conduct involving the use of a minor for sexual purposes can lead to criminal charges that carry especially harsh penalties. These cases may involve situations where a person is accused of causing or allowing a minor to be used in the production of child pornography. The alleged use of children to engage in commercial sex acts such as prostitution could also lead to serious charges, including those related to human trafficking.

Online Solicitation of a Minor

A person may face felony charges is fhtey are accused of soliciting a minor or someone that they believed to be a minor to engage in sexual conduct using the internet or digital communications. Charges of online solicitation of a minor may be related to the use of social media, messaging applications, email, or other types of online communications. In many cases, these charges involve undercover sting operations in which officers pose as minors online to try to catch alleged predators.

Indecent Exposure and Related Offenses Involving Minors

A person could be charged with indecent exposure if they allegedly exposed their private parts to others for the purposes of sexual gratification. While indecent exposure charges do not always involve minors, cases where a child was allegedly present can lead to more serious penalties.

Voyeurism Involving Minors

A person could face criminal charges if they are accused of watching or recording another person when that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. When the alleged victim is a minor, these charges can lead to harsher penalties, and a person could also face charges related to child pornography if they keep or distribute recordings of children.

Building a Defense in Child Sex Crime Cases

The specific defense strategies that may be used in a child sex crime case will depend on the facts surrounding the alleged offense, the specific charges filed by prosecutors, and the evidence related to the case. Our attorneys can conduct an investigation and analysis of a case, examining the evidence from every angle and identifying the ideal defenses.

Constitutional protections play a central role in many of these cases. The Fourth Amendment protects defendants against unlawful searches. When law enforcement officials seize a person's devices, access their digital accounts, and gather other evidence, they may do so without the proper legal authority. If searches were conducted without a warrant, our lawyers will take steps to suppress the evidence that was obtained, which may affect the prosecution's ability to pursue a conviction.

Digital evidence will need to be closely reviewed in cases involving online conduct or materials stored on computers or other devices. Our legal team works with forensic experts to examine evidence and determine whether it supports the claims made by prosecutors. Questions about who had access to a device or account, whether evidence was properly preserved, and whether investigators followed the correct procedures can play an important role in a case.

The credibility of witnesses, the circumstances surrounding accusations, and potential alibis may also be considered by our attorneys. We can look at whether there may have been reasons for false or exaggerated allegations, ensuring that the circumstances surrounding an alleged offense will be evaluated to determine the best defense strategies.

Contact Our Baltimore, Maryland Child Sex Crime Defense Attorneys

When sex crime charges involve children, a defendant will need to obtain immediate legal representation to ensure that their rights will be protected. The attorneys at Silverman Thompson can provide guidance on the best steps to take during these cases. Andrew C. White leads our criminal defense team, and his experience as a former sex crimes prosecutor for the United States Attorney's Office informs the strategies we develop, helping our clients achieve the best possible results in their cases. Contact our Baltimore child sex crimes lawyers at 410-385-2225 to schedule a free consultation.