Sex-related crimes usually come with steep penalties. Charges like first-degree sexual assault carry up to 35 years in prison when an adult is involved, but up to 100 years in prison when a child under 12 is involved. This is on the harsher end of the spectrum, but it gives you an idea of how strict West Virginia is when it comes to these serious charges.

We know that whether you are facing a sex-related charge or another felony, the thought of having to spend time in jail is probably worrisome. One thing that you can do is to work on your defense, even if you think that a guilty verdict will occur.

A criminal defense is usually thought of as something that attempts to get a person off of a charge. In some cases, that focus shifts to trying to minimize the penalties that the defendant will have to live with upon a guilty finding. This is one reason why plea deals are fairly common — defendants acknowledge that they did wrong and are willing to deal with a punishment for the crime.

There are some criminal charges that have mandatory minimum sentences. Even when this is present, you can still work your defense toward trying to get your sentence as close to the mandatory minimum as possible.

We understand that you might want to know more about your options for a defense strategy. We can work with you to help you find out what might be possible. By learning what is possible, you can make informed decisions based on what you feel is the best option for your life.