Beware: Be very cautious of visiting with a Criminal Law Firm who has you meet with a Non-Attorney Salesperson, rather than a Licensed Attorney. They will then try to sell their “legal services,” even though they are not allowed by the State Bar of Arizona to give legal advice. DM Cantor always has you meet with one of the Partners and Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialists in our office when consulting us regarding a Sexual Assault charge.
Phoenix Sexual Assault Charges and Their Elements
It is imperative that the Attorney or Law Firm you hired to represent you regarding a Sexual Assault Allegation knows the type of crime elements of the Sex Offense charge, the possible Punishment, and all of the Defenses which may be involved. The Statue of Limitations in the Arizona Justice System for Alleged Rape Victims to bring Criminal Sexual Assault Charges is seven (7) years from “Identifying” a Suspect. The range of Punishment can swing wildly depending on factors such as age of the victim, whether physical force was involved, and if there were any “drugging” allegations.
Not only does the DM Cantor Sex Assault Defense Lawyer Team know about all available Defenses, they are also aware of how any Allegations of Prior Convictions or how “multiple offenses committed on different occasions” can effect the Sentencing Range. Look at the information below to determine the elements of the offense of which you are accused, and the possible Ranges of Punishment.
Sexual Assault – ARS 13-1406(A)
Definition: In Arizona, per ARS 13-1406(A), Sexual Assault is defined as “intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or sexual contact with any person without Consent of such person.” It is important to note that sexual contact includes anything involving “penetration.” This could be penetration with fingers, another object, a person’s tongue, and obviously, a penis.
Stacking: Under Arizona law, each individual incident during a single sexual encounter qualifies as its own violation of the statute. This means that if a person has oral sexual contact, plus digital penetration with their fingers, and then sexual intercourse, they can be charged with 3 counts of Sexual Assault. Each individual charge’s Punishment has to be “Stacked,” and run Consecutive with each other count in regard to the Punishment. That means the amount of Prison time for the three acts will be Three Times Longer than if there were a single Sexual Act!
[A] Class 2 Punishment: Sexual Assault per ARS 13-1406(B)
Class 2 Felony: Possible Punishment for Sexual Assault of an Adult (i.e., age 18 or over) for a First Offense per ARS 13-1406(B).
- The Mandatory range is 5.25 years in Prison (Minimum) – a Presumptive Sentence of 7 years I Prison, and a Maximum of 14 years in Prison.
[B] Class 2 Punishment: Sexual Assault with Serious Physical Injury per ARS 13-1406 (B)
- If a Serious Physical Injury was Inflicted on the Alleged Victim during a Rape or Sexual Assault, the Judge “may” Sentence the Defendant to Life in Prison, and that Sentence cannot be eligible for release until after 25 years of day-for-day Prison has been Served.
[C] Class 2 Punishment: Sexual Assault of a Minor (DCAC)
Class 2 Felony: Possible Punishment for Sexual Assault of a Minor where the Alleged Victim is 12–14 years of age (i.e., a DCAC – Dangerous Crimes Against Children enhancement) per ARS 13-705(E).
- The Mandatory range is 13 years in Prison (Minimum) – 20 years Presumptive Prison time – and 27 years Maximum in Prison. This Prison time is “day for day” and cannot be reduced in any way.
- If the Alleged Victim is Under 12 years of age, then the Judge can Sentence the Defendant to Life in Prison, which cannot be reduced to Parole until 35 years of the Sentence has been served (day for day).
What if the Defendant has Prior Felony Convictions or has Multiple Offenses Committed on Different Dates?
If a person has a single Allegeable Prior Felony Conviction, then their Sentence will increase dramatically. Now the Minimum Punishment will be seven (7) years in Prison; the Presumptive Sentence in Prison will be 10.5 years; and the Maximum Prison Sentence will be 21 years in the Department of Corrections. If a person has two (2) or more Allegeable Prior Felony Convictions, they then become what is known as “Category 3.” This Range of Prison increases dramatically. The Minimum Prison Sentence is now 14 years; the Presumptive Prison Sentence now increases to 15.75 years; and the Maximum Prison Sentence is 28 years in the Department of Corrections.
Regarding a Dangerous Crimes Against Children (DCAC) offense, if the person has a Prior “Predicate Felony” which can be Alleged (this includes another DCAC Conviction for Rape charges or a Prior Serious Felony offense), now the Incarceration could potentially become “life-ending.” The Mandatory Minimum Prison Sentence is now 23 years; the Presumptive Prison Sentence is 30 years; and the Maximum Prison Sentence is 37 years in the Department of Corrections. All of this time is what’s known as “Flat Time” or “day for day time,” and cannot be reduced in any way.
Although fines are normally not imposed, it is possible to receive up to $150,000 penalty. This does not include Surcharges and add-ons which would total 84% more. In other words, you might be facing over a Quarter Million Dollars in fines if convicted of one of these charges!
Beware: Allegation of “Drugging” (i.e., Rohypnol, the “Date Rape Drug”) requires the Judge to add 3 years in Prison to any Sentence imposed.
- Per ARS 13-703, 13-704, and 13-705, If there are any Allegeable Prior Convictions, then all the Sentence will involve Mandatory Prison with much higher ranges of Prison – that’s why these types of cases are often referred to “Life-Enders.” If this is your situation, see a DM Cantor Sexual Assault Attorney immediately!
We are an AV® rated law firm (the highest possible rating by Martindale Hubbell®). Also David Michael Cantor is a Sexual Assault lawyer in Arizona, and a Certified Criminal Law Specialist, per the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. In addition, the Firm and all of its lawyers are listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers®. At DM Cantor, the majority of our Attorneys are ex-Prosecutors, and all of our Sexual Assault Lawyers in Arizona know the system well.
The Collateral Consequences Of A Sexual Assault Conviction
Being convicted of a Sexual Assault can have Life-Long Consequences on a Defendant, which can occur long after Incarceration is over (such as while on Probation, or even after being fully released from all requirements). Some of these Collateral Consequences can include Sex Offender Terms while on Probation, computer restrictions, and potentially having to Register as a Sex Offender.
Other Consequences of a Sexual Assault Conviction can include the Revocation of Professional Licenses, restrictions on what type of job you may be able to get; being banned from living in dormitories, or certain apartments; having to notify employers if you are required to Register as a Sex Offender; and a litany of other highly-restrictive and embarrassing factors. When looking to hire a Phoenix Rape Defense Lawyer or a Phoenix Sexual Assault Defense Lawyer to handle your Sexual Assault Case, you need to first find a Board-Certified Criminal Defense Attorney who routinely handles Sex Crime Charges. Check out the link below for a full list of Collateral Consequences to a Sexual Assault Conviction.