Juvenile Sex Crimes in Lexington

Lexington Juvenile Sex Crime Defense Lawyer

Just like an adult, children and teenagers can be charged with sexually oriented offenses. This can be the result of mental illness, being the victim of prior sexual abuse, experimentation or a lack of impulse control. Juvenile sex crimes are often times prosecuted more aggressively than other cases, and a conviction or a guilty plea can result in prolonged incarceration, forced treatment and other serious and lifelong consequences.

One of the main concerns when dealing with a juvenile sex crime is the potential under South Carolina law for the child to be ultimately placed on the sex offender registry. If a juvenile is convicted, either by pleading guilty or after a trial, of a qualifying sexual offense they will be required to register. Upon reaching the age of majority their name, address and photograph will be added to the publicly available sex offender registry. South Carolina has a lifetime registration requirement.

Special Consideration for Juvenile Offenders

When representing a juvenile who has been charged with a sex crime we are aware of the special considerations. It is not unusual for the victim in such a case to be a sibling or other family member of the defendant. Due to the overlap between these charges and mental illness or prior abuse it is important to work closely with pediatric or adolescent psychologists and medical professionals.

A thorough evaluation is often times a critical component in the defense of these charges. If your child has been charged with any South Carolina Sex Crime, contacting a Lexington criminal defense attorney can make all the difference. The Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, which serves multiple areas in South Carolina, offers confidential consultations.