People charged with a sex crime in South Carolina are in danger of having the rest of their lives compromised by a conviction. In addition to jail time, the sex offender registry can cause troubles for years to come. For this reason, it is important to build a strong criminal defense and attempt to clear one’s name. South Carolina, like all states in the U.S., has its own policies for handling those suspected of sex crimes. Understanding state law and the legal process for a particular criminal charge is the first step toward avoiding prison and sex-offender registration.
A Darlington man now faces a seven-year prison term after pleading guilty to a charge of criminal sexual conduct with a minor that began back in 2009. In addition to the charge for that incident, the man was charged with several other counts for his alleged involvement with minors. The man was arrested on accusations that he molested young children in June 2013. Five counts involving indecent exposure and criminal sexual misconduct with a minor were dropped purportedly for issues with evidence.
Because of his conviction, the man is subject to South Carolina’s Sexually Violent Predator Act, which would force him to undergo psychiatric treatment. If this happens, this can lead to required registration as a sexually violent predator within the state for the rest of his life. He would also need to update his information and photograph every 90 days.
In this case, it is important to note that several charges against the man were dropped due to evidence issues. In many sex crime cases, it is the word of an accuser against a suspect. False accusations can cause serious complications to a person’s personal and professional life, and it is therefore important to have a criminal defense attorney on your side. If you have been charged with a sex crime, it is not too late to defend yourself and protect your future.
Source: WPDE, “Child Molester sentenced to prison for sex crime, other charges dropped,” Sharon Tutrone, March 19, 2014
