Statutory Rape Lawyer in Nashville, TN
Rape is sexual intercourse forced upon an individual without consent from that party. However, even if both parties give consent, an adult can still face the possibility of statutory rape charges. According to Tennessee state law, statutory rape occurs when an adult has sexual intercourse with a victim who is over the age of 13 but under 18. The state believes children below the age of legal adulthood are incapable of understanding the ramifications of sexual decisions, despite their ability to entice adults into sexual intercourse.
At Horst Law, we find that clients are oftentimes unaware of the true age of their sexual partner, yet they face the possibility of jail time for a lie they did not tell. Contact our office at to speak with a qualified Nashville TN statutory rape lawyer about your case.
Statutory Rape Penalties and Charges
For a legally nonviolent offense, statutory rape carries some of the harshest punishments, both because of its criminal penalties and the secondary consequences that come with being a sex offender. Those found guilty of statutory rape face the possibility of fines up to $3,000 and at least one year in prison (not to exceed six). These penalties will double if the accused is more than 10 years older than the victim. Minors in this nation are heavily protected and those accused of putting minors in danger face the possibility of having several charges brought against them. Some of the most common charges associated with statutory rape include:
As with any sexual offense, those convicted of statutory rape will be registered into the national sex offender registry. This registry places your name, current address, and picture on the Internet for all to judge. Sex offenders often have difficulty readjusting to normal life and finding good jobs. Such difficulties can be unjust, especially when sex offenders suffer from intense consequences for a nonviolent offense such as statutory rape.
Contact a Nashville Statutory Rape Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been accused of committing a sex offense, such as statutory rape, you have many legal options to begin building your defense. At Horst Law, our Statutory Rape Lawyers have decades of criminal defense experience, protecting the legal rights of all our clients. We believe everyone deserves a fair and just trial no matter the accusations. Call our office today at to learn more about your legal options for a statutory rape case.
