Types of Sex Crimes
Arizona has some of the toughest sex crime laws in the country, and being accused of one can have life-changing consequences. These offenses carry severe penalties, including mandatory prison sentences and lifetime sex offender registration under Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) §13-3821.
Allegations alone can sometimes damage your reputation, employment, and personal relationships in these cases. As a result, having a thorough grasp of how Arizona defines and categorizes sex crimes is an important first step if you or a loved one is facing criminal charges.
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault, commonly known as rape, is one of the most serious sex crimes in Arizona. Per A.R.S. §13-1406, it occurs when a person intentionally engages in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with another person without consent.
Lack of consent can include situations involving:
- Physical force
- Threats of harm
- Intoxication
- Coercion
- Incapiciation
- Manipulation
- Victims who are unable to consent due to age or mental condition
Sexual assault is a Class 2 felony in Arizona. Convictions typically carry a mandatory prison term, which can increase substantially if the alleged victim is a minor or if aggravating factors are involved.
Sexual Conduct With a Minor
Engaging in sexual activity with anyone under 18 years old can lead to a charge of sexual conduct with a minor under A.R.S. §13-1405.
The penalties depend on the age of the alleged victim:
- If the minor is 15, 16, or 17 years old, it’s a Class 6 felony.
- If the minor is under 15, it becomes a Class 2 felony and is considered a “dangerous crime against children,” carrying enhanced prison terms and mandatory registration.
Consensual relationships between teenagers can still potentially result in criminal charges if one party is over the age of 18. Arizona courts take these cases extremely seriously, and the consequences are often lifelong.
Indecent Exposure and Public Sexual Indecency
Not all sex crime charges stem from violent acts.
Arizona law also criminalizes acts considered lewd or inappropriate in public:
- Indecent exposure (A.R.S. §13-1402): Involves exposing one’s genitals or private parts in the presence of another person who could be offended or alarmed.
- Public sexual indecency (A.R.S. §13-1403): Occurs when someone engages in sexual acts in public where others might witness it.
While these may seem like minor offenses, repeat convictions or cases involving minors can lead to felony charges and require sex offender registration.
Child Pornography and Exploitation
Possessing, distributing, or producing sexual images of minors is a serious offense under A.R.S. §13-3553. Each separate image or video can be charged as a different count, leading to decades in prison in the event of a conviction.
These crimes include:
- Downloading or sharing explicit material involving minors
- Storing images on digital devices
- Creating or soliciting child pornography through the internet
Federal charges can also apply in these cases, often carrying even harsher penalties.
Contact the Tucson Sex Crimes Attorneys at Katsarelis Law Criminal Defense Attorneys for Help Today
If you’ve been accused of a sex crime in Arizona, you’re facing one of the most serious situations in criminal law. The stakes are incredibly high, but an experienced defense attorney at Katsarelis Law Criminal Defense Attorneys can help you fight back and work toward a favorable outcome if at all possible.
Our Tucson sex crimes lawyers can review the evidence against you and, from there, build a defense strategy tailored to your situation. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation and learn how to defend yourself against these serious charges.
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