Gillette Sexual Assault Lawyers

Proven Counsel from a Skilled Campbell County Sex Crime Defense Lawyer

Have you been accused of a sex crime in Campbell County? If so, it is critical that you seek aggressive, diligent counsel ready to protect your rights and reputation. The laws regarding sex crimes in Wyoming are extremely complicated, covering sexual assault (or rape, as it is commonly known) to molestation to indecent exposure, and every accusation should be taken seriously. If you do not have strong legal representation, you can face life-altering penalties, including registration in Wyoming's sex offender registry.

If you've been charged with a sex crime in Gillette, then the time to speak with legal counsel is now. At Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., every client we take on receives dedicated, vigilant representation. Our founding attorney, Steven Titus, is a former public defender who understands how the rights and interests of the accused can be marginalized in our criminal justice system. Securing your best possible outcome is our highest priority. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation with a Gillette criminal defense attorney.

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Understanding Sex Crimes

“Sex crime” is a broad term that refers to any illegal sexual act. While it is often used interchangeably with sexual assault, it actually includes many different crimes, which will vary depending on the severity of the charge, the charge’s unique definition, and the age of the alleged victim. In Wyoming, sex crimes can include:

• Prostitution
• Public Indecency
• Child molestation
• Child pornography
• Indecent exposure
• Pimping and pandering
• Sexual assault
• Sexual battery
• Solicitation
• Statutory rape
• Revenge porn

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Wyoming's Sexual Assault Laws

Sexual assault refers to forcing someone to engage in sexual activities without consent or in situations where a defendant knows, or reasonably should know, that an alleged victim is unable to consent to the act. Sexual assault is always considered a felony in Wyoming, but state statutes categorize these offenses into three different degrees. These degrees are meant to address different levels of perceived severity in these cases.

The different degrees of sexual assault include:

• Third-degree sexual assault: This describes sexual assault cases that don't meet the requirements for the other degrees and are generally considered less serious. This charge occurs when a defendant is accused of using authority to force an alleged victim to submit to sexual activities or the alleged victim is unable to consent due to a mental illness, mental deficiency, intoxication, or is otherwise physically helpless.
• Second-degree sexual assault: This is a more serious charge that occurs when the alleged victim is subjected to serious harm, "date rape" drugs, fraud, or threats of retaliation. A second-degree charge can include the same scenarios as a third-degree charge but involves a more serious use of force, coercion, or manipulation. This charge can also be filed if the defendant is a medical professional and commits sexual assault during the treatment or examination of a patient.
• First-degree sexual assault: First-degree assault is the most serious offense you can face and is typically charged when the alleged victim is subjected to physical force, threats of bodily injury, or confinement.

It is also possible to be charged with sexual battery, which is a misdemeanor crime defined as groping or touching another individual without their consent.

Being charged with any of these crimes is a very scary situation to be in. Not only can it ruin your reputation, but they also come with lengthy prison sentences. A sexual assault can result in:

• Third-degree: Up to 15 years in a Wyoming state prison.
• Second-degree: Between two and 20 years in a Wyoming state prison.
• First-degree: Between five and 50 years in a Wyoming state prison.
• Sexual battery: Up to one year in a county jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

Previous convictions for sexual assault can lead to a minimum of 25 years in a state prison to life imprisonment without parole. In addition to the lengthy jail time, your name will also appear in the Wyoming sex offender registry, which is public record. Those listed may have problems finding employment or housing and face additional discrimination as a result.

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Crimes Involving Minors

Under Wyoming state law, it is illegal for someone 18 years or older to have sexual contact with someone younger than 17 years old, even if the act is consensual. Offenses that do involve consent are referred to as “statutory rape” but are commonly charged as the sexual abuse of a minor. Similar to sexual assault involving an adult, sexual abuse of minors falls into different degrees. There are four degrees for sexual assault of a minor, each of which is a felony. These laws are incredibly complex and what degree you are charged with can vary depending on your age and the age of the alleged victim. These factors will also influence the penalties, which can include:

• Fourth-degree sexual abuse of a minor: Up to five years in a Wyoming state prison.
• Third-degree sexual abuse of a minor: Up to 15 years in a Wyoming state prison.
• Second-degree sexual abuse of a minor: Up to 20 years in a Wyoming state prison.
• First-degree sexual abuse of a minor: Between 25 to 50 years in a Wyoming state prison.

In addition, the act of trying to convince a minor to engage in sexual activities through the exchange of money, property, or services can be charged as solicitation of a minor, which is a felony that can lead to up to five years in a state prison.

Any attempt to convince a child to engage in sexual activities on film or in photos can be charged as the sexual exploitation of a minor as well as possession of child pornography, which are both felony offenses that can lead to:

• Sexual exploitation of a minor: Up to 12 years in a Wyoming state prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
• Possession of child pornography: Up to 10 years in a Wyoming state prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

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When Do You Have to Register as a Sex Offender?

The Wyoming Sex Offender Registry is an online database that logs and tracks all sex offenders within the state. This information is publicly available, and anyone can look up a list of sex offenders in their neighborhood. If you are required to register as a sex offender, employers, housing offices, and other agencies can look up your charges to deny you a job, safe housing, or other services. Under Wyoming Statutes Section 6-2-320(a), you also cannot live within 1,000 feet of a school. Even if you leave the state, you will be required to register with other states’ registries and abide by their laws.

Charges that can result in being listed on the Wyoming Sex Offender Registry include:

• Sexual assault
• Sexual abuse of a minor
• Solicitation of a minor
• Possession of child pornography
• Kidnapping, if the victim was a minor
• Voyeurism, if the victim was a minor
• Public indecency, if the victim was a minor
• Human trafficking

If you fail to register as a sex offender, according to Wyoming Sex Offender Registration Act 7-19-307(c), you can be charged with “failure to register,” which is a felony crime that can lead to up to five years in a state prison and/or a $1,000 fine.

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Speaking to Police

If you’ve been accused of a crime like sexual assault or child abuse, you probably want to deny it to the police, and think that by cooperating, you’re giving yourself a better chance of proving your innocence. But Wyoming police are more interested in getting a conviction than helping you. Any statements, polygraphs, or searches that you agree to can really hurt your case in the long run. Protect yourself, and your case, by speaking to a criminal defense attorney before agreeing to anything local law enforcement asks for.

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Defenses to Sexual Assault Charges

The most common (and best) defense to a sexual assault charge is that the activity was consensual. Many times, we’ve seen accusers seeking revenge on the accused of something unrelated to the act. In other cases, coercion is a factor - the accuser has been influenced by someone else to file charges against you.

When the accuser has a history of lying about sexual assault, that fact can hurt his or her case and provide you with a strong defense. If there are marks on the accuser’s body, they can be used to prove that while there was an altercation, it did not involve sexual assault. In some cases, we’ve seen that these marks were self-inflicted.

A Gillette sexual assault defense attorney can help prove these facts and more. We know what physical evidence to look for, and we will use that evidence to build a case for you.

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Speak to a Gillette Sex Crime Lawyer Today

Being charged with a sex crime is frightening. We at Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., know that firsthand, because one of our staff members went through the same thing. You may believe your case is hopeless is because it will be your word against your accuser’s. But an experienced sex crime defense attorney at Steven Titus & Associates P.C., we will investigate the facts and collect physical evidence pertaining to your case.

Call Steven Titus & Associates, P.C. at (307) 257-7800 for strong legal defense if you've been charged with a sex crime in Campbell County.

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Call Steven Titus & Associates, P.C. at (307) 257-7800 for strong legal defense if you've been charged with a serious crime.

Case Results

• State of Wyoming v. W.K.—2018
  Second-Degree Sexual Assault Charges Dismissed
• State of Wyoming v. D.H.—2018
  Registered Sex Offender Escapes New Third-Degree Sexual Assault Charge
• State of Wyoming v. B.W. —2017
  Felony Sex Charges Dismissed

Past Results: Disclaimer
Initials of the Defendant may be changed to hide the identity of the individual whose case is described on the page. The case results are factually accurate. These case results were obtained by Mr. Titus throughout the course of his professional career, including past experience at a previous law firm. However, every case is different, and past results by no means guarantee future success.

Additional Information

• Sexual Consent and Its Legal Implications
• How the Wyoming Sex Offender Registry Curbs Your Freedoms
• How Child Sex Crime Allegations Affect Lives
• Understanding a Statutory Rape Charge
• Wyoming Sex Offender Registry