Pittsburgh Rape Attorney

Criminal Defense Lawyer for Rape Cases in Western Pennsylvania

Being accused of rape or sexual assault is a very serious matter that can have a long-range impact on every aspect of your life. Sex crimes carry a social stigma that can negatively affect your personal, social, and employment relationships as well as carry harsh punishments. If you are convicted of rape, the stigma and damage to your life will only be intensified; fighting the charges with the help of a skilled and dedicated criminal defense attorney is imperative.

If you or someone you know has been charged with rape in Pittsburgh or in the surrounding areas of western Pennsylvania, we strongly recommend that you contact a Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer at our firm for a consultation about your case. Our attorney can review your situation and evaluate your case, advising you on its legal aspects, on what to expect, and how our firm can help you with a defense plan. When you retain our services, we can begin investigating the prosecution's case, including all of the evidence, police reports, and more. We will ensure that your legal rights are protected and that your case is presented in the best possible light.

Variations of Rape Charges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Sex Crimes: Rape and Sexual Assault

1. Rape (18 Pa. C.S. § 3121): Felony of the first degree. Defined as sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion, by threat of force, to a person who is unconscious or lacks the capacity to resist, or to a person with a disability that renders them unable to consent. A first-degree felony is punishable by 10 to 20 years in state prison.
2. Sexual Assault (18 Pa. C.S. § 3124.1): Can be charged in a case involving rape or involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, a felony in the second degree.

Charges of Date Rape or Statutory Rape in Pittsburgh

1. Date Rape: Alleges that you took sexual advantage of a date, girlfriend or other partner in what was otherwise a consensual social setting. Such cases can lead to charges of rape, sexual assault, or involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. Charges may also occur when a victim was incapacitated by drugs or alcohol or was otherwise unable to resist. In some cases, a misdemeanor charge of indecent assault (18 Pa. C.S. § 3126) may apply or a Pittsburgh defense attorney may succeed in having more serious charges reduced to such a misdemeanor. A criminal enhancement may be applied to date rape's involving drugs or alcohol, which can result in an additional 10 years behind bars.
2. Statutory Rape (3122.1- Statutory Sexual Assault): This charge attaches criminal penalties to consensual sexual activity when the "victim" is a minor. Such charges can be devastating to a defendant – often leaving a young man facing years behind bars and years as a registered sex offender. The crime is a first-degree felony if a victim is under 13. But those accused of consensual sex with older victims can still face a second-degree felony if the victim is under the age of 16 and the defendant is four or more years older. Possible penalties include up to 5 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Rape Cases in Western Pennsylvania

Rape is defined under Pennsylvania law as engaging in sexual intercourse "by forcible compulsion" or "by threat of forcible compulsion." It also consists of engaging in sex with someone who is unconscious or where the victim has been rendered unable to understand the situation through the use of drugs or other means to prevent resistance. Rape is also defined as having sex with a minor who is less than 13 years of age. Rape is charged as a felony.

According to the law, being convicted of rape will result in increased penalties where the alleged offender has drugged the victim so as to prevent him or her from being able to assess the situation. The increased penalties include an additional prison term of up to 10 years and additional fines of up to $100,000. 

Because of the serious nature of a rape allegation, you should not hesitate to consult with the Pittsburgh criminal attorney at our firm to discuss your case and how best to proceed.