According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, sexual assault may take a number of forms, such as rape, sexual contact that isn’t wanted and verbal threats. Each year, a considerable number of people are convicted of sexual assault across the country. After a conviction, people may face serious consequences which virtually destroy their life. For example, some are sentenced to prison and required to pay stiff financial penalties. When it comes to the penalties for sexual assault, or any type of crime that is sexual in nature, there are many things to take into consideration. For starters, the laws vary from one state to another and those who live in Stamford should understand how Connecticut handles sexual assault cases. Regrettably, many people have been falsely accused of sexual assault and have no idea of what to do next.
The Connecticut General Assembly published helpful information which details how sexual assault is punished in the state. People convicted of first degree sexual assault (Class A or B felony) are often sentenced to more than 10 years behind bars, while people convicted of second degree sexual assault (Class B or C felony) are required to spend at least nine months in prison but may have to spend up to 10 years in prison. Additionally, there are many factors that can impact a case. For example, if the victim was under a certain age (such as 10 or 16 years old), courts cannot reduce the sentence to less than 10 years or five years, respectively.
In addition to fines and jail time, sexual assault convictions can follow someone around permanently and may prevent them from securing a job or create problems with friends and family members. Unfortunately, far too many have had to deal with these penalties for a crime they never committed, which highlights the importance of addressing sexual assault charges properly.
