When most individuals think about a sex crime, the first
thing that comes to mind is rape or violent sexual assault. While those are
indeed sex crimes, a larger umbrella of criminal activity can be categorized as
sex crimes in Oregon.
When someone accuses you of a sex crime, you can plead
innocent. But to be successful, you must prove that you did not commit the
crime. To do this, you’ll need to understand the different types of sex crimes
in Oregon that you may need to defend yourself against.
Incest That Involves a Child
Incest is a crime in Oregon that involves sexual acts
between family members. The act can include parents, grandparents, cousins,
siblings, and other family members related by blood.
Incest becomes a sex crime if any of the involved persons
is a child. So, for example, if a stepfather engages in sexual intercourse with
his stepdaughter, that will be considered a crime.
In the same way, if an uncle engages in sexual activities
with an underage niece, that would be considered a sex crime in Oregon. Incest
is a class C felony punishable by up to five years of jail.
Sodomy
In Oregon, sodomy is considered a sex crime and refers to
any sexual activity where two people engage in oral or anal penetration. This
crime can include both consensual and non-consensual activities.
Sodomy is categorized in three degrees, as follows:
- First Degree:
This is a
class A felony where the accused has committed sodomy with a minor under
12. The child can be the defendant's child, spouse's child, or sibling.
First-degree sodomy also applies when the child cannot consent or does not
understand the implications of their actions.
- Second Degree:
In this
degree, the accused has committed sodomy with someone below 14 years. This
crime is a class B felony.
- Third Degree:
This category
applies if the accused has committed sodomy with an underage person below
16. This degree is a class C felony, and the punishment is less severe
than the above two.
Rape
Rape is probably what most people are familiar with when
they hear the term "sex crime." Rape is defined as non-consensual
penetration. Therefore, even if the accused and victim were involved in
consensual activities such as kissing or touching, if any penetration takes
place without the consent of one party, that is considered rape.
Like with sodomy, rape is categorized as first, second, and
third-degree, according to the severity of the situation.
Child Exposure to Pornography
Unfortunately, with the rise of smartphones and social
media, this kind of crime is becoming more and more common. As a result,
parents must monitor their children's activities on phones and internet use.
Child exposure to pornography, also known as "sexual
exploitation of a minor," is when any person exposes a child to
pornographic material or encourages them to engage in sexual activities.
Prostitution
Prostitution is a crime in Oregon, as it is illegal to
engage in sex in exchange for money. In addition, the law of Oregon forbids
owning, managing, or controlling a prostitution business. Also, you can be
charged with a sexual crime if you encourage or entice someone to engage in
prostitution.
Anyone who compels a minor practicing prostitution is also
guilty and may be charged under class B felony in Oregon.
Whichever sex crime you are accused of, the legal penalties
in Oregon can be severe. If you’ve been accused, you need to understand your
rights and consult a criminal defense attorney. The lawyer will help you gather
evidence and defend your rights in court. Depending on the circumstances, the
attorney may negotiate your case to have the charges reduced or dismissed.
You can count on us at Mark J. Geiger, Attorney at Law, to
represent you against any sex crime charge in Oregon. We have the experience,
skill, and knowledge to guide you through the complex law requirements and
protect your rights. Contact
us
for a consultation.
