Sexual Assault And Rape Defense Attorney In Augusta
People who face charges of rape or sexual assault are the most stigmatized of all criminal defendants. There’s a serious lack of public sympathy or support for people in these situations, but you are not without resources or help. I am here to fight for you.
I am Pete Theodocion, and I’m a sexual assault defense attorney in Augusta. I began my career as a federal prosecutor, but for the last 25-plus years, I’ve provided insightful, knowledgeable defense to clients across Georgia facing extremely serious charges. I know that sexual assault and rape charges are stressful, and you’re under unique pressure from a lot of sides. Let me take on the legal problems ahead.
A Vigorous Defense From A Former Prosecutor
My time as a prosecutor is a major advantage to my clients facing any criminal charge. However, for those facing the withering personal and professional and criminal stakes of a sexual assault allegation, that advantage is the most clear. I bring these benefits to your case:
- Professionalism: My career has been in the courtroom in the midst of unraveling difficult, shocking charges. Your allegations, to me, are just that. Allegations. Nothing is proven until a jury has considered the evidence. I hear you out and present your side of the story.
- Insight: I know how the prosecution will build the case against you, because I’ve done that very job myself. I know the weaknesses of a case the moment I review the charges and evidence, and I know how to plan a counterattack.
- Determination: A criminal case is not a short-term affair. It is a very long, often-difficult road to a result. I have the experience and dedication needed to stay with your case throughout ups downs and appeals, if that becomes necessary.
I make a promise to my clients and that promise is to fight or a better outcome for them. It’s to pursue the defense of their rights and freedom with all my resources, and I keep my promises.
The High Stakes Of Sexual Assault And Rape Charges
A sexual assault or rape charge has incredibly high stakes. The personal stakes are already problematic, from media attention to loss of public credibility or sentiment. Your personal life with your family is also going to face considerable upheavals. But the most devastating risk ahead of you are the criminal stakes:
- Improper sexual contact: A person with a position of authority makes unwanted, non-consensual contact with a person’ s intimate body parts. Conviction results in 25 years maximum in prison and a $100,000 fine. The age of the victim can increase the penalties.
- Sexual battery: This involves physical contact with an intimate body part without a person’s consent. A conviction results in up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine for a first offense, but the age of the victim does not impact the sentencing.
- Aggravated sexual battery: Involving the use of a foreign object to penetrate the sexual organs, a conviction can lead to 25 years to life in prison.
- Rape: This crime only applies to a male non-consensually forcing himself on a woman, and a conviction can lead to 25 years to life as a sentence. If the victim is younger than 10, the penalties can be more severe. Potentially, the defendant may face the death penalty.
However, all of these penalties can also come with some amount of time registered on the sex-offender list, which will follow you even after you’ve served a sentence. This is why my early intervention and defense matters.
What Prosecutors Must Prove
As the prosecution builds their case against you they have to find evidence that will convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. Specifically in Rape and other sex offenses, they have to not only prove your actions and physical whereabouts, but also:
- Force: Proving that force was used in the physical act can include evidence such as medical records, but often enough time has passed after an incident there is little evidence of an attack anymore. Most often there is only witness testimony.
- Lack of consent: Consent is a major factor in all sex crimes. The prosecution must therefore prove that there was no consent in the acts, which will once again hinge on testimony.
- Incapacity: As a subset of consent, is the concept of capacity, or a person’s ability to consent to something. This is a challenge if there is evidence of alcohol or drugs, but also people under age cannot legally consent, and people with intellectual disabilities, such as delayed development or dementia cannot consent either.
It is my intention to challenge every aspect of the case developing against you as your defense attorney. In a sexual assault case, false allegations and confusion over consent carry a lot of weight, and I will make that a focus of your defense. I will also build a traditional defense that discredits witness testimony and calls all the physical evidence against you into question, examining the initial search and how evidence was handled and interpreted. I’m aggressive in every phase, forcing the prosecution to work hard to prove their case.
Get My Help Today
You cannot face these types of serious allegations all on your own. You need help and you can turn to me today. Call my office in Augusta at 706-250-8762 or send an email to schedule your free consultation with me.