Sex Crimes & Sexual Assault Defense Attorney

Have you been charged with a sex crime in Phoenix, AZ? In addition to harsh penalties and prison sentences, the stigma of being a sexual offender can follow you for the remainder of your life.
 
Due to the sensitive nature and often legal complexity of the charges, hiring an experienced and knowledgeable sex crime, a criminal defense attorney is of the most critical decision you will ever make.



Sex crime accusations can arise from accidental or unintentional conduct, including the alleged offender being unaware that their actions were illegal. As with all criminal sexual allegations, regardless of the situation, the entire scope of the repercussions are immeasurable.

• Sexual Assault
• Sexual Conduct with a Minor
• Sexual Exploitation
• Indecent Exposure
• Child Molestation
• Sexual Misconduct
• Sexual abuse
• Violent sexual abuse
• Other sex crimes

Good people sometimes find themselves in bad situations, and to me, that does not mean that those caught in a bad situation are criminals or even guilty of a crime.
 

Experience in the Courtroom Matters!

Since 2006, I have built my career defending clients accused of serious criminal offenses.
 
Before entering into private practice, I began my legal career as a public defender representing people who didn't have the resources to retain a lawyer. I then went on to work for one of the largest law firms in Phoenix, defending hundreds of individuals facing serious criminal charges. 
 
Assertive in the courtroom and when questioning my clients, I may not appear like the most empathetic person that they've ever met. However, when facing the challenge of a lifetime in prison with the severe allegations afforded against them, your situation can't and shouldn't be taken lightly.
 
Regardless of how my bedside manner is perceived, you can rest assured that my passion for defending my clients runs deep.
 
The motivation for defending my clients is as follows.

• To uphold the U.S. Constitution
• To protect the accused from the excesses of law enforcement
• Because it truly is satisfying to help those in trouble

I have successfully defended clients in numerous cases to a jury and judge — respectively, over 55 jury trials, and over 120 bench trials.
 

Sexual Assault

According to ARS 13-1406, an individual can be charged with this offense if they intentionally or knowingly engage in sexual intercourse or oral sexual conduct with any person without the consent of that person.
 
The offense is punishable as a class 2 felony with minimum mandatory prison time.

• Jail time
• Fines
• Felony criminal record
• Sex offender registry
• Social stigma

 

Sexual Abuse & Penalties

The penalties for sexual assault in Arizona is based on several factors.

• Criminal history
• Age of the victim
• Physical harm that the victim suffered

The Prison term for a first-time sexual assault ranges from 5.25 years to 28 years.
  
If the assault involved physical harm or the victim was under the age of 12, you could be facing a life sentence for a first-time offense.

Sexual Conduct with a Minor (ARS 13-1405) Sexual Conduct with a Minor is considered a Class 6 Felony.

• Maximum punishment of 2 years in prison
• 3 years of supervised probation
• $150,000 fine and surcharges

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (ARS 13-3552) Sexual Exploitation of a minor is a Class 2 Felony.

• Punishable by up to 12.5 years in prison
• 7 years of probation
• Fine of $150,000 plus surcharges

 
Indecent Exposure (ARS 13-1402) Indecent Exposure is considered a Class 6 Felony.

• Maximum punishment of 2 years in prison
• 3 years of supervised probation
• $150,000 fine and surcharges

 
Child Molestation (ARS 13-1410) Child Molestation is a Class 2 Felony.

• Punishable by up to 12.5 years in prison
• 7 years of probation
• Fine of $150,000 plus surcharges

 
Sexual Misconduct (ARS 13-1418) Sexual Misconduct is considered a Class 6 Felony.

• Maximum punishment of 2 years in prison
• 3 years of supervised probation
• $150,000 fine and surcharges

 
Sexual Abuse (ARS 13-1404) Sexual abuse is a Class 5 Felony.

• Maximum punishment of 2.5 years in prison
• 3 years of supervised probation
• $150,000 fine and surcharges

 
Violent sexual abuse (ARS 13-1423) A conviction for violent sexual abuse can result in life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
 
To be charged for this offense, an individual committed sexual conduct with a minor, sexual abuse, or sexual assault...

• Use of a deadly weapon during the commission of the offense

• A previous conviction for another sex crime and intentionally or knowingly inflicted serious physical injury on the victim

 

Sex Offender Registration

If convicted of any of the above offenses you may have to register as a sex offender pursuant to ARS 13-3821.
 
The following offenses require registration:
 
Please reference Arizona State Legislature for further information on the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) listed below.
 
1. Unlawful imprisonment pursuant to section 13-1303 if the victim is under eighteen years of age and the unlawful imprisonment was not committed by the child's parent.
 
2. Kidnapping pursuant to section 13-1304 if the victim is under eighteen years of age and the kidnapping was not committed by the child's parent.
 
3. Sexual abuse pursuant to section 13-1404 if the victim is under eighteen years of age.
 
4. Sexual conduct with a minor pursuant to section 13-1405.
 
5. Sexual assault pursuant to section 13-1406.
 
6. Sexual assault of a spouse if the offense was committed before August 12, 2005.
 
7. Molestation of a child pursuant to section 13-1410.
 
8. Continuous sexual abuse of a child pursuant to section 13-1417.
 
9. Taking a child for the purpose of prostitution pursuant to section 13-3206.
 
10. Child prostitution pursuant to section 13-3212, subsection A or subsection B, paragraph 1 or 2 committed before August 9, 2017.
 
11. Child sex trafficking pursuant to section 13-3212, subsection A or subsection B, paragraph 1 or 2 committed on or after August 9, 2017.
 
12. Commercial sexual exploitation of a minor pursuant to section 13-3552.
 
13. Sexual exploitation of a minor pursuant to section 13-3553.
 
14. Luring a minor for sexual exploitation pursuant to section 13-3554.
 
15. A second or subsequent violation of indecent exposure to a person who is under fifteen years of age pursuant to section 13-1402.
 
16. A second or subsequent violation of public sexual indecency to a minor who is under fifteen years of age pursuant to section 13-1403, subsection B.
 
17. A third or subsequent violation of indecent exposure pursuant to section 13-1402.
 
18. A third or subsequent violation of public sexual indecency pursuant to section 13-1403.
 
19. A violation of section 13-3822 or 13-3824.
 
20. Unlawful age misrepresentation.
 
21. Aggravated luring a minor for sexual exploitation pursuant to section 13-3560.
 
22. Sexual extortion pursuant to section 13-1428 if the victim is under fifteen years of age.
 
 

Lifetime Probation and Sex Offender Terms

In addition, some offenses may carry lifetime probation with sex offender terms.
 
Lifetime is exactly what it sounds like – lifetime.
 
Occasionally, one can apply to have lifetime probation terminated. However, there are many prerequisites that must be completed first.
 
Sex offender terms of probation include:

• Written approval by probation before contacting someone under 18 years old.
• Written approval by probation before going near parks, playgrounds, schools, arcades, pools, or anywhere commonly used by children.
• Written approval by probation before socializing or entering a relationship with any person who has a child under 18 years old.
• Successfully attend and complete sex offender treatment.
• Submit to psychological assessments and lie detector tests.
• Will not be allowed to possess pornography.
• May not be allowed to use a computer without written permission from probation.
• Cannot possess children’s toys or clothing.
• Cannot move without permission from probation.
• Must wear undergarments at all times.
• Will not hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers.
• Must provide make, model year of vehicle to probation.
• You may have to be GPS monitored while on probation and pay for it.

 

Should I get a Public Defender for free?

Public Defenders are some of the best lawyers who know the courts well. I, too, was a public defender and benefited from the same training. However, Public defenders are overworked, and you will not receive personalized attention on your case because they have too many clients and not enough time to mount a rigorous defense.
 
When you hire me, you get years of legal experience defending both felony and misdemeanor charges. Perhaps most importantly, you will receive my personal legal representation, not a paralegal or a junior lawyer.  
 

Why I choose to Defend Criminals

Often I am asked why I want to defend criminals. Not a strange question considering the violence, degradation, and decay of civility in our society today. Nor is it a surprise considering the intolerant attitudes held by many toward those accused of crimes, in some ways primed by crime news and true-crime TV shows.
 
Making sure that my clients get a fair trial is my mission, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Everyone deserves a strong legal defense.
 

Experience Outweighs the Cost of an Attorney

We've all heard horror stories from the legal trenches.

• My lawyer failed to show up at the preliminary hearing!
• The attorney that I initially talked to disappeared into the abyss, and someone that I'm not familiar with showed up in the courtroom in their place. 
• My attorney won't return my phone calls.

That list of failed legal representation can go on and on.
 
At the Law Office of Aaron Black, I represent each of my clients. Unlike many large firms that work to acquire as many cases as possible at any given time, I represent a limited number of clients. You can expect individualized service from the Law Office of Aaron Black.
 
Not only will you get personal representation, but you will also get direct contact with me.
 

Free Legal Consultation

When you meet with me for your free consultation, I will walk you through the criminal process and what you can expect at each court hearing.
 
Your time is valuable, and in many situations, your lawyer can attend the majority of your court appearances in regards to your case without your presence. You can rest assured that I will do everything possible to defend you while keeping you up to date on all relevant information about your case.
 
I genuinely understand that facing charges can be complicated and confusing. I promise that I will work tirelessly to provide the personalized, expert legal defense that you deserve and should expect.
 

Back to Top  Contact Us