Introduction to North Carolina Sex Offenses

Sex Offenses in North Carolina are punished harshly.  In addition, North Carolina has a sex offender registryThe sex offender registry is a list of all people who have committed reportable crimes and who have not been removed from the registry by petition. A person placed on the registry must avoid certain locations where children are commonly found, and must not live within certain distances of parks, schools, and playgrounds. The minimum time on the registry is 10 years., which requires that those convictedA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. of “sexually violent offenses” register for at least 10 years as a sex offender, do not live within 1,000 feet of a school, and abide by other restrictive regulations.

I explain in some detail the various sex offenses and sex assaults under North Carolina law.  It is particularly important if you are being accused of such crimes that you seek out an attorney early in the process.

Sex offenses are not like other offenses.  They are sometimes “he said, she said” types of cases, where there is little physical evidence and usually no witnesses.  Because admissions by a defendant may be damaging to his or her case, a defendant is well advised to consult with a lawyer before being interviewed by police about such allegations.

Even if you’ve done nothing wrong – even if you did not touch the alleged victim – it’s very important that you get the advice of an attorney early in the process.