Las Cruces Sex Crimes Attorney
A sex crime charge can inflict immediate, devastating harm to your reputation. This is true even when the allegations against you are baseless. A conviction can result in years of imprisonment, costly fines, and the requirement of registering as a sex offender.
A Las Cruces sex crimes attorney can review the details of your case and determine whether a defense applies. Our team at the New Mexico Criminal Law Offices knows that not everyone facing sex crimes charges is guilty. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with an experienced sex crimes lawyer in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Types of Cases a Las Cruces Sex Crimes Lawyer Handles
New Mexico defines several different sex crimes that carry a wide variety of consequences. Our team at the New Mexico Criminal Law Offices can walk you through the criminal justice process and protect your constitutional rights every step of the way. A sex crimes attorney in Las Cruces, New Mexico, can outline potential penalties associated with your charges.
Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor
New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 30-9-13 defines criminal sexual contact of a minor as intentionally and unlawfully touching or applying force to a minor’s intimate parts or unlawfully and intentionally causing a minor to touch one’s intimate parts. In New Mexico, intimate parts mean the primary genitalia area, anus, groin, breasts, or buttocks. The State can charge criminal sexual contact of a minor as a second-degree to fourth-degree felony.
The penalties for criminal sexual contact of a minor vary according to how the prosecutor charges the crime. For instance, if the State charges you with sexual contact of a minor in the second degree, you face a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison with a fine of up to $12,500. Additionally, a conviction means you will have to register as a sex offender.
You do not have to face criminal sexual contact charges alone. Contact a member of our team today to discuss your charges.
Indecent Exposure
New Mexico Statutes Annotated (NMSA) § 30-9-14 defines indecent exposure as knowingly and intentionally exposing one’s primary genital area to the public. The primary genital area means the penis, mons pubis, mons veneris, testicles, vulva, or vagina. In New Mexico, indecent exposure is a misdemeanor offense that carries up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. An indecent exposure conviction does not require registration as a sex offender.
NMSA § 30-9-14.3 defines aggravated indecent exposure as knowingly and intentionally exposing one’s primary genital area in a lewd and lascivious manner with intent to threaten or intimidate another person while committing one of the following acts or criminal offenses:
- Aggravated assault,
- Assault,
- Exposure to a child under 18,
- Criminal sexual penetration,
- Battery,
- Aggravated battery,
- Assault with intent to commit a violent felony, or
- Abuse of a child.
Aggravated indecent exposure is considered a fourth-degree felony and carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. An aggravated indecent exposure conviction does require registration as a sex offender.
Criminal Sexual Penetration
NMSA § 30-9-11 defines criminal sexual penetration as unlawfully and intentionally causing someone to engage in sexual intercourse, fellatio, cunnilingus, or anal sex or causing penetration, to any extent and with any object, of the anal or genital openings of someone else. This is a crime whether or not there is any emission. Depending on the facts, criminal sexual penetration can range from a first-degree to a fourth-degree felony.
Aggravated criminal sexual penetration is defined as criminal sexual penetration committed against a child under 13 with an intent to kill or with a depraved mind that disregards human life.
Enticement of a Child
NMSA § 30-9-1 defines the enticement of a child as:
- Persuading, enticing, or attempting to persuade a child under 16 to enter any vehicle, room, building, or secluded space intending to commit an act that is a crime under Article 9 of the Criminal Code; or
- Having a child under 16 in any building, vehicle, room, or secluded space intending to commit a crime under Article 9.
Article 9 of the Criminal Code refers to sex offenses. Enticement is defined as the intentional act of inciting, instigating, alluring, attracting, or leading astray. New Mexico considers enticement a misdemeanor.
Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device
NMSA § 30-37-3.2 defines child solicitation by an electronic communication device as knowingly and intentionally, by means of an electronic communication device, soliciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual intercourse, sexual contact, a sexual or obscene performance, or any other sexual conduct when the perpetrator is at least four years older than the victim. Violation of this statute is considered a fourth-degree felony if the child is between 13 and 16 years old, and it is a third-degree felony if the child is under 13. If the alleged perpetrator appears for, attends, or is present at a meeting that they arranged pursuant to the solicitation, the penalties increase.
An electronic communication device includes a video recorder, computer, fax machine, digital camera, telephone, cellular phone, audio equipment, pager, or any other device that can produce an electronic image, message, or signal.
Contact a Las Cruces Sex Crimes Attorney to Discuss Your Case
With over three decades of combined experience representing criminal defendants in New Mexico, we have the knowledge and skills needed to defend you against sex crime accusations. We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation, listening to your side of the story, and working with you to secure a positive outcome for your case.
We dedicate one-on-one time with our potential clients to learn the facts of their cases and discuss their expectations. Your lawyer will use the information they learn in this meeting to craft a personalized strategy to fight the charges against you.
Contact us online to schedule an appointment with an experienced Las Cruces sex crimes lawyer.