South Carolina residents who are accused of — or questioned about –sexual offenses may feel like they are being backed into a corner. Out of remorse or fear, they sometimes sign statements before discussing the allegations with an attorney, and this may be detrimental to their cases. Allegations of sex offenses are not the equivalent of a conviction, and every individual is entitled to fair treatment throughout investigations and court proceedings.
A 43-year-old man is facing charges of criminal solicitation of a minor and dissemination of obscene material to a minor. He is being held in a detention center in lieu of a $20,000 bond. The Attorney General of South Carolina alleges that the man showed a video of a pornographic nature to a minor and suggested sexual acts with the minor. Reportedly, the accused man had been staying with the minor and the minor’s family at the time of the incident.
Authorities were apparently notified of the incident by the minor’s mother. The allegations were reportedly investigated by the police and the sheriff’s office. The Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force also assisted with the investigation.
A South Carolina criminal defense attorney who focuses on protecting the rights of those accused of sex offenses could make a significant difference. A lawyer will assess the underlying circumstances surrounding the accusations and scrutinize the details of any evidence held by the state. Just because prosecutors bring charges does not mean that the charges are accepted without careful scrutiny. The burden of proof is on the government, and unless it is met with compelling evidence that supports each element of the crime charged, no conviction can occur.
Source: greenvilleonline.com, “Simpsonville man charged with soliciting minor“, Anna Lee, July 1, 2015
