Trustworthy Representation from an Annapolis Sexual Assault Defense Attorney
An aggressive defense for people accused of sexually assaulting children
Facing any accusation of sexual misconduct is stressful; being accused of sexually assaulting a child is way beyond that. There is, in the eye of the public, literally no worse thing a person could do. Even if you didn’t do it – even if in the middle of a trial, some random person popped up and yelled “It was me!” from the seats – there’s a good chance that at least some people in that room will be convinced you’re guilty. So when you’re facing these kinds of charges, you need an attorney who’s going to fight for your life, ‘cause that might be what’s at stake.
I’m Gill Andrew Cochran, and I know what you’re up against. I also know that you have the right to a fair trial, and the right to a competent defense. When you hire my law firm Drew Cochran, Attorney at Law, you get me: an experienced Annapolis child sexual assault lawyer who fights for your rights and your reputation as aggressively and proactively as possible.
Understanding the charges against you
Charges of sexual assault on a child can range from the most serious first-degree sexual assault crimes to the least harshly punished fourth-degree crimes, depending on the specific details of the incident. Some commonly charged child sexual assault crimes include:
- Second-degree rape, which occurs when the victim is under 14 years old and the defendant is at least four years older. The potential penalty for a conviction is 20 years in prison. If the defendant is over 18 years old and the alleged victim is under 13, the maximum penalty is life in prison.
- Third-degree sexual offenses, which is the engaging in sexual contact with a child under 14 years old by a defendant at least four years older. A conviction can result in up to 10 years in jail.
A knowledgeable Annapolis sexual assault attorney diligently works to protect your rights in a variety of child sexual contact cases. At Drew Cochran, Attorney at Law, I review every detail of the evidence against you and aggressively advocate for you.
How an experienced attorney can defend against sexual assault accusations
When mounting a successful defense to the charges in your case, an experienced Annapolis criminal defense lawyer considers various tactics and chooses the one that advances the best possible outcome. I have used various defenses in my representation of sexual assault defendants, including:
- The motivation of the accuser. Particularly in situations of domestic dispute, parents make false allegations against one another in hopes of securing custody of the child or to keep the accused out of the child’s life.
- Influence over the child accuser. It is a challenge to correctly question a child about such difficult subject matter. Often times, parents or therapists ask questions that lead the child towards a specific answer. Wanting to please the adult, the child may agree even though the assault never actually occurred.
- Legality of evidence. When gathering evidence, law enforcement officers must abide by the law. When they fail to do so, any evidence obtained as a result should not be used against you.
If you have been charged with a sexual assault on a child, trust an experienced and skilled lawyer to defend you.
Relentless pursuit of justice for those charged with sexual assault of a child in Annapolis
I defend the people of Annapolis against the most serious of charges every day: I know what’s at stake. If you are facing charges of sexual assault on a child, call my office – Drew Cochran, Attorney at Law – at 410-271-1892 or complete my convenient contact form to learn more about how I can help you.
And remember: Keep Calm — and Call Drew.
