Sex Crimes Defense
in Massachusetts
Sex crimes charges carry devastating consequences — prison time, lifetime sex offender registration, and permanent damage to your reputation and career. Attorney Adela Aprodu fights aggressively to protect your rights and your future.
Sex Crimes Defense in Massachusetts
Sex crimes charges are among the most serious offenses prosecuted in Massachusetts, carrying penalties that can include decades in prison, lifetime sex offender registration, and permanent damage to every aspect of your personal and professional life. The stigma alone can destroy careers, relationships, and reputations — even before a conviction.
Massachusetts prosecutors pursue sex crime charges aggressively, often relying heavily on the testimony of the alleged victim. But accusations are not convictions. Many cases involve false allegations, misidentification, or circumstances that do not meet the legal elements of the charged offense. Attorney Adela Aprodu conducts a thorough investigation of every case, challenges the prosecution's evidence at every turn, and fights to protect your constitutional rights.
- Severe penalties — prison sentences ranging from years to life, depending on the charge
- Sex offender registration — mandatory SORB classification that can last 20 years or a lifetime
- Collateral consequences — loss of employment, housing restrictions, custody issues, and immigration consequences
- Aggressive prosecution — the Commonwealth devotes significant resources to sex crime cases
Sex Crime Charges We Defend in Massachusetts
- Rape (MGL c. 265 §22) — non-consensual sexual intercourse by force or threat; up to 20 years in state prison
- Statutory Rape (MGL c. 265 §23) — sexual intercourse with a person under the age of consent, regardless of perceived consent
- Forcible Rape of a Child (MGL c. 265 §22A) — mandatory minimum 15 years to life in state prison
- Assault with Intent to Commit Rape (MGL c. 265 §24) — up to 20 years in state prison
- Indecent Assault & Battery on a Child Under 14 (MGL c. 265 §13B) — up to 10 years in state prison
- Indecent Assault & Battery on a Person 14 or Over (MGL c. 265 §13H) — up to 5 years in state prison
- Lewd & Lascivious Conduct (MGL c. 272 §16) — up to 5 years in state prison or 2.5 years in the House of Correction
- Open & Gross Lewdness (MGL c. 272 §53) — public exposure intended to alarm or offend; up to 3 years imprisonment
Defense Strategies for Sex Crime Charges
- False or exaggerated allegations — investigating motive to fabricate, prior inconsistent statements, and credibility issues
- Consent — establishing that the encounter was consensual where applicable
- Mistaken identity — challenging identification through alibi evidence, DNA analysis, or surveillance footage
- Insufficient evidence — holding the prosecution to its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt
- Constitutional violations — suppressing evidence from unlawful searches, coerced confessions, or Miranda violations
- Forensic challenges — questioning the reliability and handling of DNA, medical evidence, and forensic interviews
Key Takeaways
- Sex crime convictions carry mandatory sex offender registration that can last a lifetime
- False accusations are more common than people realize — an experienced attorney can expose them
- Do not speak to police without an attorney present; anything you say will be used against you
- Early intervention by a defense attorney is critical to preserving evidence and protecting your rights
- Attorney Aprodu personally handles each sex crimes case from investigation through resolution
Frequently Asked Questions
Sex crimes in Massachusetts encompass a broad range of offenses including rape, statutory rape, indecent assault and battery on adults and children, forcible rape of a child, open and gross lewdness, and lewd and lascivious conduct. These charges are prosecuted under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265 and carry severe penalties including lengthy prison sentences and mandatory sex offender registration.
Penalties vary by charge. Rape carries up to 20 years in state prison. Rape of a child under 16 carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years to life. Indecent assault on a child under 14 carries up to 10 years in state prison. Nearly all sex crime convictions require registration with the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB), which can be for 20 years or life depending on the classification level.
Yes. Massachusetts law requires sex offender registration for most sex crime convictions. The Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) classifies offenders into three levels based on the risk of reoffense. Level 1 information is not publicly available, Level 2 is available to those who request it, and Level 3 information is actively disseminated to the community. Registration can last 20 years or be lifetime depending on the offense and classification.
Yes. False accusations are more common in sex crime cases than many people realize. They can arise from custody disputes, relationship breakdowns, misunderstandings, or ulterior motives. An experienced defense attorney will investigate the accuser's credibility, prior inconsistent statements, motive to fabricate, and any exculpatory evidence such as text messages, phone records, or surveillance footage.
Effective defenses include challenging witness credibility and prior inconsistent statements, establishing consent where applicable, proving mistaken identity through alibi or forensic evidence, filing motions to suppress improperly obtained evidence, and exposing false or exaggerated allegations. Each case requires a thorough investigation of the facts, forensic evidence, and the circumstances surrounding the allegations.
No. You should exercise your right to remain silent and contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Anything you say to police can and will be used against you. Even statements you believe are exculpatory can be twisted by prosecutors. Attorney Aprodu advises clients to politely decline to answer questions and request legal counsel before any police interview.
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Don't face sex crimes charges alone. Attorney Adela Aprodu is ready to fight for you.