Minneapolis Sex Crime Lawyer
Get a Former Prosecutor On Your Side
Sex crime convictions carry some of the heaviest penalties of all criminal cases in Minnesota. The collateral consequences of a sex crime conviction can wreak havoc on your life. Minneapolis sex crime lawyer Max Keller has more than two decades of experience defending such cases. As a former prosecutor for the State, Max knows what it takes to clear your good name.
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What Is a Sex Crime?
A sex crime encompasses illegal acts of a sexual nature, such as sexual assault, rape, exploitation, and harassment. These offenses often violate an individual’s consent, privacy, or personal boundaries. Sex crimes can involve physical violence, coercion, or non-consensual sexual acts and are subject to criminal prosecution. The severity of these crimes can differ based on jurisdiction, the nature of the act, and the involved parties. Legal consequences include criminal charges, penalties, and mandatory registration as a sex offender.
When Should You Hire a Sex Crime Attorney in Minnesota?
If you believe you are under investigation for sexual assault, rape, child pornography, sex trafficking, or another similar crime, the time to hire a sex crime attorney is now. Once charges are filed, damage to your reputation is already in progress. Your job may be in jeopardy. Your professional license could be lost. Even your ability to see your own children could be at risk. If you are convicted of a sex crime, penalties in Minnesota will change your life.
Your Future Is On the Line. You need our criminal defense lawyers to make sure your rights are protected.
Call Today (952) 913-1421
The Consequences of a Conviction for a Sex Crime May Be Severe
If you are facing charges for a serious sex crime, like sexual assault, rape, child molestation, or child sex trafficking in Minnesota, you’re going to need the best sex crime lawyer you can find on your side from the start.
Without an experienced sex crime defense attorney to defend your rights, life as you know it could change significantly.
- You could face an extensive jail or prison sentence in a Minnesota correctional facility.
- You may be ordered to pay substantial fines, restitution, and other expenses.
- If you are convicted, you will likely lose your professional license and your ability to work in certain occupations.
Our Sex Crime Lawyers Will Make Sure Your Rights Are Protected.
The sex crime attorneys at Keller Law Offices can help even before charges are formally filed with the Court. We will be
- On your side throughout the police investigation
- Acting as pre-charge counsel through questioning
- Guiding you as your case progresses.
- In some cases, our law firm may be able to prevent charges from ever getting filed.
Hiring our criminal defense attorneys from the start is critical for various reasons. Even if we can’t prevent the State from filing charges against you, our involvement from the beginning helps us build an even stronger foundation for your defense.
Speaking with Law Enforcement
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement will likely attempt to gather as much information as they can by questioning you. It’s common for defendant statements to be misinterpreted or even twisted, and then used as ammunition by the prosecution. In most cases, our attorneys will recommend that you exercise your right to remain silent so that you avoid incriminating yourself. If you must communicate with law enforcement, our lawyers will be by your side to guide you.
Ensuring Your Rights Are Protected
Our attorneys will help make sure your rights are protected throughout the process. This includes protecting your right to be free from illegal searches and seizures, which are common occurrences in sex crime cases. Violations of your rights can result in evidence getting thrown out of court, or your charges getting reduced or dismissed.
Creating the Foundation for Your Defense
Ad a former prosecutor, Max Keller is familiar with the legal strategies used by the State. Becoming involved from the beginning enables Max to watch for indications of how the prosecution plans to proceed, allowing him to get a head start on preparing your defense.
Productive Communication Throughout the Investigation
As the investigation progresses, our sex crime defense attorneys will watch for opportunities to raise questions or challenge the accusation. We will seek evidence to disprove sex crime allegations, and negotiate with the other side to get your charges dropped or reduced prior to court.
Navigating the Legal System
The sex crime attorneys at Keller Law Offices have successfully handled countless cases that have gone before the jury, and even before the appellate court. We know what to expect, and how you can position yourself to be in the best possible position if your case goes to trial.
If the State has already filed charges, our sex crime defense attorneys will work to mitigate the damage, protecting your rights and defending you against the accusations and criminal charges. Criminal defense attorney Max Keller’s vast experience and considerable legal knowledge regarding Minnesota sex crimes have resulted in acquittals, dismissal of charges, and reduced sentences for many individuals throughout Minnesota.
Sex Offender Registration Requirements in Minnesota
If you are convicted of a sex crime in Minnesota, you are required to register as a sex offender in the state. Sex offender registration applies even if you were originally charged with a sex crime, but your conviction is for a lesser charge. Failure to register can result in extensions to your registration period or even time behind bars. For registration purposes, there are three levels of sexual offenders in Minnesota. Various factors are considered when determining an offender’s risk level.
Risk factors include:
- The degree of harm that will likely be caused should the person re-offend, including things like the probable age of the victim, the amount of force, or physical damage likely to be inflicted.
- The history of prior offenses. This will include factors like the relationship between the offender and the victim or victims, the number of prior victims, and other antisocial behaviors that might impact risk.
- Response to previous treatment efforts and any history of substance abuse.
- Community of support available, and the likelihood that the offender will participate in programs or take advantage of the support.
- Evidence that the person will re-offend if he or she is released into the community.
- Physical conditions that might minimize risk, like chronic health problems, advanced age, or physical disability.
Levels of Sex Offenders
Level I sex offenders are usually required to register for 15 years. Verification is yearly. Level II offenders are required to register for at least 25 years, with verification occurring twice per year. Since Level III sex offenders are at high risk of re-offending, verification is on a quarterly basis and offenders must register for the rest of their lives.
- Nonviolent sex crimes committed against a victim who is over 18, of sound mind, and not disabled, are generally classified as Tier I offenses. This indicates that there is low risk that the person will re-offend.
- Tier II sex offenses generally involve minors under the age of 18. They are of a nonviolent nature. Level II sex offenders are considered to have a moderate recidivism risk.
- Violent sex crimes and some nonviolent crimes involving minors and adults are considered to be Tier III sex crimes. These are the most serious of sex crimes, and have the highest rate of recidivism.
“These guys were amazing, very knowledgeable and make you feel like an important client. I appreciate what they did for my case, can’t thank you enough.”
What Are the Degrees of Sex Crime Charges in Minnesota?
First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct | Felony
Non-consensual penetration with another person where aggravating factors existed.
Second Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct | Felony
- Non-consensual sexual contact with another person where penetration was not involved and aggravating factors existed.
Third Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct | Felony
Non-consensual penetration of another person or conduct with a person who the offender knows to be mentally impaired or physically helpless.
Fourth Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct | Felony
Non-consensual sexual contact with another person
Fifth Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct | Gross Misdemeanor
Non-consensual sexual contact
Lewd sexual conduct
- May be a felony if certain priors exist. If it is a felony, it is punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and up to 5 years in prison.
Do You Need a Sex Crime Lawyer for Prostitution-Related Offenses in Minnesota?
If you have been accused of a prostitution-related offense in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or one of the surrounding towns, you need to hire a sex crime lawyer as soon as possible to make sure your rights are protected. Most sex crime offenses related to prostitution are prosecuted as misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors. In some cases, however, these types of crimes are felonies.
While the penalties are not as severe for people who are convicted of “loitering in public and intending prostitution”, a conviction for a more serious prostitution-related crime can land you in prison, even if you are not acting as a prostitute.
A significant portion of sex crime cases that involve prostitution in the Twin Cities arise when a “john” engages with an “escort” who ends up being an undercover law enforcement officer. The undercover officer dresses in the appropriate clothing and plays the part of an escort or prostitute. The officer lures the unsuspecting “john” in with promises of “having a good time”. As soon as the “john” provides any evidence of solicitation, however, he or she is busted by the police. Scenarios like this are all too common in Minneapolis and St. Paul. They are also often examples of entrapment.
If you are facing criminal charges that are related to prostitution, solicitation, or sex trafficking, the sex crime attorneys at Keller Law Offices can help. Our law firm will use defenses like entrapment, Minnesota’s Safe Harbor Law, lack of probable cause, or other weaknesses in your case to ensure your rights are protected.
Solicitation, Inducement, and Promotion of Prostitution or Sex Trafficking
Under Minnesota law, you may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison, be ordered to pay up to $40,000 in fines, or both, if you are a non-prostitute or patron who is convicted of soliciting, inducing, promoting, or financially profiting from prostitution, or sex-trafficking another person.
If you are convicted of soliciting, inducing, promoting, or financially profiting from prostitution or sex-trafficking another person as a non-prostitute or patron, you could face up to 25 years in prison, a fine of up to $50,000, or both, if your conviction involves one or more of the following:
- Soliciting or inducing a person under 18 years of age to practice prostitution
- Promoting the prostitution of someone under 18
- Profiting from the promotion of prostitution, or the prostitution, of a minor under 18
- Sex trafficking of a person who is under 18
The following aggravating factors may increase prison time to up to 30 years, and fines up to $60,000.
- Prior conviction for human trafficking or a qualifying related crime
- Sex trafficking that involved bodily harm to a victim
- A sex trafficking victim who was held for more than 180 days
- More than one sex trafficking victim
How to Beat Sex Crime Charges in Minnesota
Our sex crime defense lawyers see countless cases where defendants are falsely accused of sexual offenses. In some cases, these cases arise out of an alleged victim’s intentional falsification of the truth. In other sex crime cases, however, misconstrued facts, coincidental evidence, and even entrapment lead to a defendant’s arrest.
If you were accused of a sex crime, our criminal lawyers can help. We will investigate the facts and uncover evidence to help you beat sex crime charges before they destroy your future.
Challenging Lack of Consent
One of the most common factors in a sex crimes case is whether the alleged victim consented to the act. Consent, or lack there of, is established with circumstantial evidence and therefore vulnerable in a sex crime case. Our attorneys may be able to use evidence like text messages, social media messages, witness statements, and even consent to previous sexual acts to cast doubt in the eyes of the jury. Since Minnesota does not have a Romeo and Juliet exception, establishing consent in a case where both parties are minors could result in both people facing criminal sexual conduct charges.
The Entrapment Defense
Entrapment is common in sex crime cases, especially when they involve internet sex crimes, minors, or prostitution. While undercover officers can pose as prostitutes, “Johns”, or even underage kids, and they can even lie about their identities, they cannot entice people to commit criminal sexual acts. If you were lured into a sexual act by an undercover officer, our criminal attorneys can use entrapment as part of your defense.
Challenging Credibility
It is not uncommon for people to deliberately accuse defendants of sex crimes when they know the defendants are innocent. Our attorneys will investigate your case to determine whether the accusation was made as an act of revenge, a response to rejection, or simply a way to hurt your reputation. We will look for reasons why the accuser may not be credible, and create reasonable doubt about whether the sexual misconduct even occurred.
Challenging Identification
Many sex crime cases involve criminal sexual acts that happened in the dark. Perhaps the alleged victim was blindfolded, or maybe he or she didn’t get a good look at the assailant’s face. In cases where the identification of the sexual offender is unknown, police often use lineups and witness statements to build their cases. Other times, they use forensic evidence to identity suspects. Our attorneys will look for holes in the identification process to prove your innocence.
Illegal Search and Seizure
If the evidence the prosecution is using against you was obtained in violation of your Fourth Amendment rights, it is not admissible in court. If officers did not have your permission to search your property or your person, and they did not have a valid search warrant, the evidence can be thrown out unless a rare exception applies.
Challenging Possession of Child Pornography
Part of proving possession is showing that the defendant knew about the item in question and had control over it. If pornography was found on a used or shared computer, for instance, we might use claims that you did not know of its presence in your defense.
Mandatory Sentencing for Predatory Offenders
If you are convicted of a sex crime, and you’re determined to be a predatory offender in Minnesota, mandatory sentencing provisions may apply. These laws are intended to reduce recidivism rates.
Life without Release
If you are determined to be a violent or repeat sex offender, you could be sentenced to life without parole if aggravating factors exist. Factors may include previous sex crimes convictions, the existence of heinous elements, or the use of force or violence.
Assessment and Treatment
You will be required to undergo an assessment to determine whether treatment is necessary. If it is determined that you need treatment, the court must order you to complete treatment if you are sentenced to probation.
Community Notification
You will be assigned a risk level. Your risk level and other information may be shared with certain individuals and entities in your community, including the places where you work, schools, and places where you live. In Minnesota, Level III sex offenders are posted on the Minnesota Department of Corrections Level III Predatory Offender Information website
Conditional Release
If you are convicted of a felony sex crime and sentenced to prison, you must also be sentenced to serve a period of conditional release after you get out. The mandatory period for most offenders is 10 years. If you are subject to an indeterminate life sentence, however, you will be subject to lifetime conditional release.
DNA Analysis
You will be required to provide a biological sample for DNA analysis if you have not already done so. If you do not provide a sample at the time of your sentencing, you will be required to provide one before your release.
Sex Offender Registration
Minnesota’s Predatory Offender Registration law requires you to register as an offender with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Most predatory sexual offenders are required to register with the agency for at least 10 years.
Get the Answers You Need from Sex Crime Attorney Max Keller
Can you be convicted of a sex crime even if you didn’t use force or coercion?
Can you be convicted of a sex crime for having sex with someone older than 16 years?
Can you be convicted of a sex crime just for having sex with your boyfriend or girlfriend?
Types of Cases Our Minneapolis Sex Crime Attorneys Handle
A Minneapolis sex crime attorney at Keller Law Offices can help with charges involving:
