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Defenses to Rape

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Defenses to Rape Charges Dayton

Even if untrue, the accusation of rape alone can follow you for the rest of your life. Rape charges are often difficult to determine because of the differences between the parties’ attitudes at the time of the alleged offense. From mistakes about a party’s age to false or malicious accusations, a strong defense is necessary to protect the accused from the negative consequences of the accusation and a potential false conviction. If you have been accused of rape, the attorneys at Joslyn Law Firm are ready to protect and defend you.

Choosing The Right Dayton Rape Defense Lawyer

Ohio rape charges fall into a few distinct categories, depending on the facts and circumstances of each case. Each category of Ohio rape has different standards and evidence that a prosecutor must prove to obtain a conviction. Rape accusations are devastating and can cause lasting damage to an individual’s life. To prevent or lessen the effect on the accused’s life, it is necessary to mount a strong legal defense. To present the best defense, experience matters. At Joslyn Law Firm, the experienced Dayton criminal rape defense attorneys understand Ohio sexual assault law and can navigate the delicate nature of rape accusations. Contact us online or by calling at (937) 356-3969 for your free and confidential rape defense consultation.


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Defenses to Rape Information Center


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Overview Of Rape Charges In Dayton

Rape charges can be prosecuted in both state and federal courts. In Ohio, Ohio Code § 2907.02  describes the crime of rape and the punishments for violation. If convicted, rape is a felony in the first degree. Not only is rape the highest-level non-capital felony offense in Ohio, but it is often the most severe offense charged in an indictment.

If you are convicted in federal court, you will be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence ranging from 5 years to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Because the punishments for such a conviction are so severe, the prosecution has a high burden when arguing a rape case. Prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt a complicated and often subjective set of facts to obtain a conviction. While the prosecution’s burden of proof is high, it is still important to present a strong defense against the claims.


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What Qualifies As “Rape” In Dayton?

Rape

In Ohio, legal rape occurs when the parties are “engaged in sexual conduct” under a certain set of facts. Under Ohio Code § 2907.02—provided the parties are engaged in “sexual conduct”—rape occurs when:

  • In conduct where you are not married and living together, you give the victim a substance by force, the threat of force, or deception to a victim to prevent resistance to the conduct;
  • The victim is under the age of 13. It does not matter whether you are aware of their age;
  • In conduct where you are not married and living together, a victim is unable to resist or consent to sexual conduct due to age (underage or advanced age), mental condition, or physical ailments; or
  • You make the other person submit to sexual conduct by force or threat of force.

Lack of resistance or protest is not a defense to rape if any of the above facts are present. Sexual conduct outside of the above factors does not constitute rape but may qualify as sexual battery under Ohio Code § 2907.03.

Sexual Battery

Sexual battery is a lesser-included offense in most rape cases. A lesser-included offense is another charge included in certain cases because of the similar elements of the case but has less severe punishments if convicted. Sexual conduct may constitute sexual battery where the facts include:

  • A victim engaging in sexual conduct due to mistaken identity, i.e., switching places with an identical twin;
  • The victim is unaware the act is being committed even if you believed they would have otherwise consented;
  • Sexual conduct between a child and their parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or someone who stands in the place of such a person;
  • Sexual conduct between minors and those in a position of authority to the minor, such as a teacher, counselor, coach, cleric, or police officer; or
  • Sexual conduct between an incarcerated individual and a correctional facility employee

Sexual battery also criminalizes sexual conduct where you know a person is impaired mentally or physically when committing the sexual conduct. The classifications for rape and sexual battery intentionally overlap to provide a “catch-all” for prosecutors unable to prove the specific facts necessary for a rape conviction. An overview of sexual battery in Ohio is provided by Joslyn Law Firm’s Comprehensive Information Center for Dayton Sexual Battery Charges.


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Dayton Rape Investigations

Sexual assault, abuse, and rape allegations involve some of the most extensive investigations in the Ohio criminal justice system. Investigation often goes beyond the case itself into the personal lives and histories of the alleged victim, the accused offender, friends of both parties in the case, and even their families. In some cases, the alleged offender will plead guilty to avoid the embarrassment of exposing their sexual history at trial.

Mandatory Reporters

Ohio rape investigations typically begin with a report. A report may be submitted by the victim, a concerned family member or friend, or an Ohio mandatory reporter if the alleged victim is a minor. Mandatory reporters are individuals who have a duty under Ohio law to report suspected cases of sexual assault, abuse, or rape. Mandatory reporters include:

  • Religious leaders
  • Attorneys (excepting criminal defense attorneys)
  • Medical professionals, including doctors, dentists, and nurses
  • Social workers
  • School authorities, including teachers, school employees, and daycare workers
  • Childcare workers and foster parents

Rape Kits

Many rape cases are reported by emergency room professionals or physicians’ offices after the victim undergoes a requested sexual assault forensic examination, better known as a rape kit. The prosecution often uses the kit’s information as the foundation of their case. Kits typically include the following:

  • Biological samples from the victim’s body, including oral, vaginal, and rectal smears to test for DNA
  • Nail clippings, DNA, fiber, or related evidence from under a victim’s nails
  • Victim’s clothing
  • Foreign hairs from the victim

Rape kits are available for victims reporting a sexual assault for as long as six weeks after the alleged sexual conduct. Investigators may consider an unreasonable delay or refusal to submit to a forensic exam as an indicator of a potentially false case. Evidence obtained from a rape kit is often sufficient to successfully prosecute strict liability rape complaints or cases where the conduct is punishable if proven regardless of the alleged offender’s defenses, i.e., engaging in sexual conduct with a 13-year-old minor even if the offender was unaware of age.

For other types of rape allegations, rape kits are not conclusive evidence that unlawful sexual conduct occurred because some evidence like fingernails and hair samples can also be found after a consensual sexual encounter. Investigators and medical personnel will search the victim for physical evidence like bruising, bleeding, and torn clothing. Investigators may also request a victim’s blood samples and their submission to a professional sexual assault interview. The combination of kit evidence, physical and DNA evidence, and a victim’s testimony that a sexual encounter was nonconsensual will typically result in an Ohio rape indictment, meaning charges will be brought against the accused.

The Accused’s Rights In The Investigation

The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees defendants the right to confront and question all witnesses against them, including any accusers in criminal cases. The Amendment ensures the right to an attorney and the opportunity to defend against criminal charges in front of an impartial jury.

It is essential that your Dayton rape defense attorney balance advocacy with compassion and professionalism. While it may be necessary to disprove or question an alleged victim to put on an effective defense, judges and juries do not approve of aggressive tactics that attack or intimidate an alleged victim. Ohio rape defense attorneys know how to obtain vital information without endangering the defendant’s case. The Dayton rape defense lawyers at Joslyn Law Firm are among the elite Ohio sexual assault defense attorneys able to strike this balance.


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Categories Of Rape Charges In Dayton

There are four kinds of rape charges in Dayton. Based on the available evidence and circumstances of the case, the prosecution will choose one of these kinds of rape charges to obtain a conviction. To achieve the conviction, the prosecution must prove all elements of the specific charge beyond a reasonable doubt. The categories of rape charges in Dayton include involuntary intoxication, predatory statutory rape, mental or physical impairment, and force/threat of force.

Involuntary Intoxication

Involuntary intoxication involves using any substance to achieve nonconsensual sexual conduct with another person. The prosecution must prove that in a sexual encounter between you and some else you were not married to and living together with, that you used the substance on another to prevent the other person from openly refusing consent to or resisting the sexual conduct.

Predatory Statutory Rape

Predatory statutory rape is a strict liability crime, meaning that you will be convicted if the unlawful sexual conduct is proven, regardless of your defenses. For example, if you had sexual conduct with a 13-year-old but were not aware of the other person’s age, your lack of knowledge cannot be used to avoid the conviction.

Mental Or Physical Impairment

The prosecution must prove that you were not married to and living with the alleged victim at the time of the offense and that you knew that the other party had some impairment, mental or physical, that affected their ability to consent or resist the sexual conduct. Such impairments include advanced age or minor status or some other physical condition that would affect consent and resistance to sexual conduct.

Force/Threat Of Force

Force or threat of force as an element of rape requires prosecutors to prove that sexual conduct took place and that the conduct was purposefully compelled by the alleged offender.

Prosecutors do not need to prove the victim physically resisted the offender in any rape case. In some types of rape cases, your belief that the other party consented— such as in predatory statutory rape—will not be allowed as part of your defense. Even if the prosecution is unable to prove all elements of the rape claim, you may still be convicted of a lesser included offense such as sexual battery.


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Special Investigators, Prosecutors, And Medical Personnel For Rape

Due to the sensitive and severe nature of rape cases, special investigators, prosecutors, and medical personnel are required to handle the process. One such circumstance involves intentional sexual conduct by individuals over the age of 13. Some alleged rape cases involve parents of individuals over the age of 13 insisting on filing police reports based on their child’s claim of “rape” after they have engaged in consensual sexual activity. The child may feel pressured to claim the sexual conduct was coerced or nonconsensual to avoid parental or legal punishment without realizing the severe legal implications to themselves and the accused.

Dayton, as well as the greater Ohio area, has specific sexual assault squads, investigators, prosecutors, and medical personnel trained to handle the sensitive situations that rape investigations and prosecutions pose. This usually requires specialized personnel training to conduct investigations without causing additional trauma to alleged victims. Rape victims are also entitled to special counsel to protect their interests during proceedings, with minors often appointed with guardian ad litem or a court-appointed advocate.


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Common Evidence In Rape Cases

One of the most argued issues in rape cases regards the admissibility of evidence. Because many rape prosecutions often involve one party’s word against another’s, investigating officers and attorneys may be required to consider the victim’s sexual history as well as yours to prove or defend against rape accusations. For example, investigators have been allowed to rely on a victim’s past consent to sexual conduct against them or question an offender’s past sexual partners for evidence of sexual deviance. Due to the sensitive nature of evidence in rape cases, what is admissible to prove guilt or innocence has been intensely debated. The Ohio rape statute describes what kind of evidence—apart from physical evidence—a plaintiff or a defendant might use to support their cases.


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Admissibility Of Evidence In Rape Cases

The Ohio rape statute controls what evidence is admissible and how evidence is treated in rape cases. The statute controls by:

  • Prohibiting the use of the alleged victim’s past sexual history, including instances of sexual activity, opinion evidence regarding their sexual activity, and sexual reputation
  • Prohibiting the use of your sexual history, including instances of sexual activity, opinion evidence involving their sexual activity, and sexual reputation
  • Admitting evidence of the alleged victim’s sexual history or yours only if it is evidence that is material to the case and involves (1) the origin of semen, pregnancy, or an STD, (2) is related to the past sexual history between the parties, or (3) goes directly to the defendant’s motive for committing the rape so long as proving the motive is necessary to obtain a conviction.
  • Requiring issues of admissibility to be resolved between the parties, their counsel, and the trial judge privately to avoid the introduction of unrelated sensitive information or otherwise inadmissible evidence in front of the jury and prevent bias against both parties.

Evidence that does not involve the alleged victim’s history or yours is generally allowed if it complies with the Ohio Rules of Evidence. Such evidence generally includes:

  • Testimony from people who know or are familiar with you or the alleged victim
  • Testimony from treating physicians regarding the victim’s actions or yours, as well as the victim’s mental state following alleged sexual conduct
  • Expert witness testimony from psychologists or doctors regarding physical or emotional injuries and their connection to the rape
  • Evidence from a rape kit
  • DNA test results

Either party may contest the chain of custody or the integrity of physical evidence regarding its collection, processing, and testing as any mishandling might unfairly affect one party or another. Physical evidence that is proven to have been mishandled or has a greater chance of bias or some other harm to either party, instead of proving a fact or argument in a case, may also be inadmissible.


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Ohio Rape Case Court Process

The process for rape cases differs from other criminal cases in Ohio due to the need for additional evidentiary hearings and certain testimonial considerations. Apart from these differences, the process follows below.

Indictment

Pursuant to the Fifth Amendment, felony charges require an indictment by a grand jury before charges can be formally filed. Because of the severity of a rape charge/allegation, a grand jury is created to determine if there is sufficient evidence to support a rape charge.

Initial Appearance/Arraignment

Here, you are informed of the charges against you, read your rights, asked how you to the charges (guilty or not guilty), and your bail—the amount of money paid to the court to be released from jail pending trial—is set. If you have not retained an attorney, you may hire an attorney or request a public defender.

Discovery

Prosecutors must provide you with all relevant evidence—names and contact information of witnesses testifying at trial, expert testimony, medical reports to be used at trial, or any other evidence to be used against you at trial prosecution—obtained during the criminal investigation. Your attorney must also disclose the evidence it intends to use at trial as well.

Pretrial Motion Hearings

Pretrial Motion hearings address issues that occur during the discovery phase and must be addressed before the trial occurs. For up until a week before trial, either party may request a hearing on a motion regarding issues such as the dismissal of a case for constitutional violations, illegal or improper evidence, or other court-granted relief.

Private Evidentiary Hearings for Rape Cases

These hearings are performed privately between the parties, counsel, and the trial judge to address the admissibility of certain kinds of evidence. Generally, these evidentiary issues regard sensitive information such as sexual history. At the end of each sides’ arguments, the trial judge will decide if the evidence will be admitted, admitted with limitations, or barred from the trial. These evidentiary hearings prevent the jury from hearing inadmissible evidence, which might cause bias against one or both of the parties.

Final Pretrial Hearing

The trial judge will address any final motions from both parties and set the matter for trial.

Voir Dire (Jury Selection)

In jury selection, attorneys for both sides interview potential jury members for placement on the final trial jury. The attorneys ask questions about preferences, life experiences, experiences in court, and other questions which may affect how they might act as a member of the jury. Each side has a certain number of members they can “strike” or request that they be dismissed from the jury for the case.

Trial

Opening Statements

Once the jury is finalized, each side presents an opening statement. The prosecution presents its opening statement first, followed by the defense. The presentations provide a “roadmap” for each of the parties’ cases. The statements address issues like burdens of proof, witnesses, and evidence that the jury may hear during the trial, and other issues relevant to the case to be tried.

Case-In-Chief

The case-in-chief is a party’s main case. Each party presents witnesses, evidence, and exhibits which they will use to prove their case to the jury. The prosecution presents their case first, with the defense “cross-examining” or questioning the prosecution’s witnesses after testifying. Cross-examination allows an opposing party to weaken the other party’s case or gain valuable information. Each side may also object to the actions of the other party if they break the rules of evidence. After the prosecution presents their case-in-chief, the defense presents their case, with the prosecution cross-examining.

Closing Statements

After each party has finished presenting their case-in-chief, each party’s attorneys give a closing statement. Closing statements are a final opportunity for the attorneys of each side to convince the jury as to guilt or innocence. These statements are often a summary of what each party has said or has proven throughout the case. Your attorney will generally present their closing argument first, followed by the prosecution. After the prosecution’s closing statement, the defense is allowed a final rebuttal.

Jury Instructions

After each party’s closing statement, the judge gives jury instructions. Jury instructions are a statement of Ohio rape law—agreed upon by both prosecution and defense— read by the judge to the jury that the jury will use to determine your guilt or innocence.

Verdict

The jury leaves the courtroom to deliberate, meaning discuss among the other jurors how they will decide the case. The jury relies on in-trial evidence and arguments to make their decision. These deliberations may last hours or days, but a unanimous decision must be reached by the jury to render a verdict. If the jury cannot unanimously agree, they are considered a “hung jury.” If the jury hands down a verdict of “not guilty,” you will be released from the court, and the trial concludes.

Sentencing

If the jury finds you “guilty,” you will be held in jail to wait for a sentencing hearing. The court reviews the sentencing laws to determine if there are any aggravating factors present that may increase the penalty for rape. Aggravating factors may include rape of a child under 10, additional physical harm to the victim, or multiple rape or sexual assault convictions.

Appealing The Case

Following the sentencing, a criminal defense attorney can appeal all preserved aspects of the case (meaning those issues that the lawyer brought up for the judge to rule on during the trial) to the Ohio Court of Appeals, the Ohio Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court of the United States. If the defendant wishes to appeal their conviction, they must hire a private defense attorney. While the Fifth Amendment provides a right to a public defender, the Amendment does not apply to appeals. A defense attorney may also assist you with post-conviction petitions.


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Potential Defenses Against Rape Used By A Dayton Rape Defense Lawyer

The defenses available to you depend on the circumstances of each case. Assuming the offense is a strict liability offense, there are a few defenses that can be raised to combat a rape allegation. Some available defenses may only be made in pretrial proceedings or later in the trial process. This includes any delay between the alleged rape and forensic rape examination, the relationship (if any) between the parties, and the specific category of rape being charged. Certain pretrial defenses are available in all criminal prosecutions.

Constitutional Challenges

The Fifth Amendment entitles you to certain rights in a criminal trial: the right to an attorney and the right to a “speedy” trial. If you are not allowed to retain an attorney, or the court fails to try your case in a timely manner, your case may be dismissed.

Evidentiary Defenses

The Fourth Amendment prohibits unlawful searches and seizures by law enforcement and generally requires authorities to have a valid warrant to obtain evidence for a rape investigation. Evidence obtained unlawfully or potentially corrupted during the collection, processing, and storing of evidence may justify a Fourth Amendment defense. If an illegally obtained DNA sample linking you to the crime is deemed inadmissible and excluded from evidence, your charges may be dismissed.

Statute Of Limitations Defense

The statute of limitations is the amount of time after an offense has occurred—or other circumstance as established by law—that an individual may properly initiate a case in court. In Ohio, the statute of limitations for rape is 25 years. To avoid the statute of limitations from barring the claim, prosecution of the claim must begin within 25 of the crime or 25 years of the victim reaching 18 years of age. Some exceptions, such as a later discovered DNA match, may apply. In those cases, DNA matches made after 25 years extend the statute of limitations by five years.

Consent

Consent is a complete defense to a rape charge in Dayton. This means if you provide sufficient evidence that a reasonable person in the same or similar would have believed the conduct was consensual, you must be found not guilty. However, a consent defense may not be used in cases where the victim is disabled, under 13, or the defendant is charged with statutory rape.

DNA/Rape Kit Delay

The longer the time between an alleged rape and the collection of DNA evidence, the greater the chances of collecting inaccurate data. Unless a specialized kit is used to collect DNA evidence, regular rape kit examinations are only reliable if collected and submitted within three days of the alleged offense. Substantial delays in examinations or filing a police report may result in loss or damage of crucial DNA evidence. An experienced criminal rape defense attorney may argue that evidence obtained by a delayed kit examination should be excluded from evidence. An example of an unreliable test that might be excluded is DNA evidence obtained from a traditional exam conducted two weeks or more after the alleged rape.

Marriage

To use this defense, you must have been legally married to and living with the alleged victim at the time of the alleged rape. Allegations of sexual assault often occur during bitter divorces and child custody proceedings. The allegations are often made to discredit the other party in those proceedings. While the marriage exception is increasingly criticized, you may not be prosecuted for rape if you were married and living together at the time of the alleged conduct.


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Potential Penalties For Rape Convictions

Rape is a first-degree felony in Ohio with possible sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Ohio judges have broad discretion when determining rape conviction sentences. Ohio statute imposes five-year minimum imprisonment for rapes committed by involuntary intoxication or force. In cases where the victim of a proven violent rape is under the age of 10, Ohio statute suggests life imprisonment without the possibility of parole; however, a judge is not required to impose the maximum sentence.

If you are under age 16 and the victim over the age of 10, you cannot be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, you must not have caused any serious physical harm to the victim, and you cannot have been previously convicted of a similar crime. Additional mandatory or direct penalties for a rape conviction may include:

  • Mandated lifetime sex offender registration on the Ohio sex offender registry
  • Depending on aggravating factors present, potential designation as a sexually violent predator/child sexual predator depending on aggravating factors
  • Mandatory probation following incarceration
  • Mandatory compensation to the victim for any costs incurred because of the rape
  • Reimbursement of all investigation and court costs
  • Fines up $20,000
  • Felon status designation

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Sex Offender Registration Requirements

Any person convicted of rape in Ohio is considered a “sex offender” by law. Those convicted of violent or child rapes may be designated as “sexually violent predators” or “child sex offenders.” Following conviction, both kinds of offenders’ information will be publicly available on the Ohio sex offender registry. Due to the severity of the conviction, your biographic and location information is provided to all residents within 1200 feet of your residential address upon release. The information will include your photo and warning to monitor and report any suspicious/unlawful activity. Publicly available offender information found on the registry includes:

  • Legal name and aliases (public)
  • Photo (public)
  • Home address (public)
  • Work address (public)
  • Conviction type and criminal designation (public)
  • Vehicle information (public)

Other offender information related to communications such as internet screen names, phone numbers, or email addresses will be included on the registry but not publicly available. In addition to the above disclosures, anyone on the Ohio sex offender registry is subject to residence, work, and travel restrictions. Every 90 days, each listed offender is required to confirm their residential address with law enforcement, subject to additional random residency checks. Further restrictions following a conviction include the inability to live near a school, hold a public job or office, and visit public facilities like parks, libraries, and pools.


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Other Consequences Of A Rape Conviction

In addition to Ohio rape conviction penalties, offenders are subject to other felony-related consequences. Other felony-related consequences may apply to you depending on prior criminal history, age at the time of the offense, and other facts specific to you. Other consequences arising from a felony conviction include:

  • Difficulty obtaining employment
  • Public benefits and housing ineligibility
  • Loss of voting rights
  • Loss of the right to maintain firearms
  • Inability to foster or adopt children
  • Termination of child custody
  • Restriction to domestic (outside Ohio) and international travel
  • Ineligibility for public jobs and office
  • Difficulty obtaining financial assistance (loans, mortgages, etc.)
  • Inability to obtain some recreational licenses

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Dayton Rape FAQs

What Is Considered Rape In Ohio?

Any type of sexual penetration—vaginal, anal, or oral—with a body part or object. At the time of the offense, the victim has been administered a substance to prevent their resistance or consent, the victim is under the age of 13, and the victim is physically or mentally impaired in such a way to prevent understanding the consequences of the sexual contact or is forced to submit to sexual contact by force or threat of force.

What Is The Age Of Consent In Ohio?

The age of consent in Ohio is 16. However, Ohio law provides exceptions and guidelines regarding consent calculations. For example, if an 18-year-old engages in sexual conduct with a13-15 years old, they have violated Ohio consent law. However, if individuals engage in sexual conduct and are within four or fewer years of each other, the conduct might not amount to a felony.

What Is The Typical Punishment For Rape In Ohio?

Rape is a first-degree felony in Ohio. Depending on the facts of the case and the presence of aggravating factors, the minimum sentence for rape is at least five years up to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. In addition to time served, offenders are subject to fines, restitution to victims, reimbursement for the court’s costs, and registration on the Ohio sex offender registry.

What Is The Difference Between Statutory Rape And Rape?

The main differences between Statutory rape, or “unlawful sexual contact with a minor,” and rape is the consent and age disparities of the parties. Rape is an offense committed without another person’s consent. Statutory rape, however, involves consensual sexual conduct between two parties, but one of those parties was legally unable to consent to the conduct. Statutory rape occurs when there is an age difference of more than four years, and one of the parties is under 18. In Ohio, any sexual conduct with a person under age 13 is rape, regardless of the offender’s age.

Does A Rape Conviction Make You A Sex Offender?

Yes. A rape conviction will always make you a Tier III (highest level) sexual offender in Ohio, typically for life. Following conviction, every convicted sex offender will be added to the Ohio sex offender registry.

Can The Public Access The Sex Offender Registry?

Yes, anyone may access the publicly available information about any person on the Ohio sex offender registry, with some exceptions for offenders convicted as juveniles. Publicly available sex offender information includes your photograph, your name, the charges, and your residential and work addresses. Additionally, all residents within 1200 feet of a convicted rapist’s residence will receive a notification of the residency along with the other publicly available information.

What Are Common Defenses To Rape?

The most common and effective defenses to rape in Ohio include:

  • Consent
  • Lack of reliable DNA evidence
  • Constitutional challenges (Fourth, Fifth Amendments)
  • Marriage
  • Age/diminished capacity

A defense attorney likely will not use all these defenses in each case. Depending on the facts and circumstances, your defense attorney will employ the most effective defense strategy.


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What Should You Do If You Are Arrested For Rape?

Do not speak to the police until your attorney has arrived to represent you and your rights. If you are arrested for suspected rape in Dayton, you should:

  • Immediately invoke your Fifth Amendment right to silence
  • Immediately invoke your Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights to an attorney
  • Immediately call an experienced Dayton rape defense lawyer at Joslyn Law Firm at (937) 356-3969.

Remain respectful of police, but continue to assert your rights before, during, and after the arrest. Law enforcement personnel are motivated to solve crimes and obtain convictions. Your words may be misinterpreted, affecting your rights and legal defense. During the arrest and following proceedings, remember you are innocent until proven guilty.


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Resources For Rape And Sexual Assault

If you believe you have been the victim of a sexual assault or rape, contact your local Dayton law enforcement and advocacy agency to file a report. Dayton and the greater Ohio area have law enforcement and medical personnel trained to handle cases involving sexual misconduct crimes. Advocacy organizations can help you through the process, providing access to legal assistance and more. Such agencies include:

If you have been accused of rape or want to learn more about rape offenses and defenses, contact Joslyn Law Firm. Call (937) 356-3969 or visit our website to arrange a free consultation.


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Hiring A Dayton Rape Defense Attorney

Joslyn Law Firm has successfully handled more than 20,000 criminal cases. We are consistently recognized as one of Ohio’s premier criminal defense firms. When you need legal assistance, experience matters. The dedicated Dayton rape defense attorneys at Joslyn Law Firm know what to anticipate in your case and how to provide the best defense for you. Contact our Dayton office today online or by calling (937) 356-3969 for your free and confidential Ohio rape defense consultation.


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