Sexual assault and rape are some of the worst sexual offenses that a person can commit. A conviction for either offense will drastically harm your academic and professional careers and will likely heavily impact your personal life too. Not only would a serious sexual offense threaten your status as a student at Temple University, but the criminal penalties if convicted would be severe. If you are a student at Temple University, and you were arrested for sexual assault, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia sexual assault defense attorney.
At the Law Office of Lonny Fish, we are dedicated to providing you with the unique legal defense that you deserve for your criminal case. We recognize the stress and uncertainty that can accompany a criminal case, and we are here for you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your case, contact the Law Office of Lonny Fish at (215) 826-3314, or contact us online.
Pennsylvania Sexual Assault and Rape Laws
In Pennsylvania, sexual assault and rape are similar sexual offenses that have small nuances that determine which crime a person is charged with violating. It is important to understand what actions qualify as sexual assault or rape, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Sexual Assault Law
Sexual assault is committed when a person has sexual intercourse with another person without that person’s consent. Whether a victim gave consent for sexual intercourse can depend on various factors. For example, if a victim was too intoxicated to communicate whether they consent to sex, this will likely be seen as the victim did not give consent for sex.
It is also important to note that a person can be charged with sexual assault if they continue to have intercourse with a victim that initially gave consent but later withdrew their consent.
Committing deviate sexual intercourse with a non-consenting victim can also result in a person being charged with sexual assault. Deviate sexual intercourse includes sexual acts involving the mouth or anus of a person. A person can also be arrested for deviate sexual intercourse if they use a foreign object to penetrate a person’s anus or genitals without their consent.
Sexual assault is typically charged as a second degree felony, which is a severe offense in Pennsylvania. If a defendant is convicted of a second degree felony in Pennsylvania, they can serve up to 10 years in prison and owe up to $25,000 in criminal fines.
Sexual assault can be a serious issue on college campuses as students may drunkenly engage in sexual activities that were later determined to be a criminal act. You do not want to place yourself and your academic career in jeopardy for sexually assaulting another person or a classmate.
Rape Law
Rape is committed when a person has sexual intercourse with a victim by way of force or the threat of force. For example, if a defendant is accused of holding a knife to the throat of a victim to coerce her into sex, this is considered rape. A person can also be charged with rape under the following circumstances:
- Engaging in sexual intercourse with a person who is unconscious or is unable to recognize they are being raped
- Administering drugs to a victim to make them more compliant for intercourse
- Having sexual intercourse with a person that possesses a mental disability
In Pennsylvania, rape is a first degree felony, the most severe type of felony that a person can be charged with besides murder. If a defendant is convicted of a first degree felony, they can be sentenced to 20 years in prison and have to pay $25,000 in criminal fines.
It is also important to note that a conviction for rape can result in life imprisonment if the defendant engaged in sexual intercourse with a child below the age of 13.
Being accused of an offense like sexual assault or rape will almost certainly result in disciplinary proceedings from the university you attend. Fortunately, Temple University permits students to seek the aid of attorneys to assist them during the disciplinary process. With your academic career and your freedom at stake, you should ensure that you seek the aid of an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Work with Our Philadelphia Rape Defense Lawyer Today
If you attend Temple University, and you were arrested for the crime of rape, you should contact an experienced Philadelphia rape defense lawyer. The Law Office of Lonny Fish avoids litigating a large volume of cases so that we can fully invest our time and resources into handling your criminal case. To schedule a free consultation with highly experienced criminal defense lawyer Lonny Fish, contact the Law Office of Lonny Fish at (215) 826-3314.