Indecent Assault Charges in PA

Indecent Sexual Assault Charges in Pennsylvania

Any type of sexual assault conviction can wreak havoc on your future. A conviction for Indecent Assault charges or Aggravated Indecent Assault charges is no different. Understand your rights and the penalties you face.

If you are convicted of indecent assault charges in Pennsylvania, you face between two to seven years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines for a first offense. Penalties for Aggravated Indecent Assault can be higher since it is a felony charge.

In addition, when convicted of any type of sexual assault in Pennsylvania, the convict is required to register every year on a national sex offender registry, which can impact where you are able to live and work.

Sexual Assault Charges Are Not a Conviction

Being accused of a sex crime is stressful. However, it is important to remember that sexual allegations are only allegations, not a conviction. You have the right to defend yourself through the United States legal system.

Attorney Wana Saadzoi understands that there is often confusion and “he said / she said” with sex crime cases. A judge and jury simply cannot convict a person unless there is substantial evidence to prove a crime has been committed.

If you have been accused of indecent assault, the charges CAN be fought in court.

An aggressive and experienced attorney will help you fight your charges and prepare your case for the best possible outcome. A knowledgeable attorney is going to have a much better chance of getting your charges reduced or dropped altogether.

Attorney Wana Saadzoi has fought and won several high-profile sex crime cases. Call her today for a free legal case evaluation.


An Arrest is Not a Conviction
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Indecent Assault and Aggravated Indecent Assault Defined

Indecent Assault differs from Rape and Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse charges because it does not have to include full-blown intercourse, but can include coming into contact with sexual fluid, urine or feces. This is usually a misdemeanor charges, unless the age of the victim is under 13 years of age and then it becomes a felony.

Aggravated Indecent Assault is a more serious charge, which results in a felony, upon conviction. It includes: engaging in unwanted penetration, however slight, of the genitals or anus of a complainant with a part of the person’s body without their consent.

Indecent Assault:

According to PA Code §3126, indecent assault is defined as:

A person is guilty of indecent assault if the person has indecent contact with the complainant, causes the complainant to have indecent contact with the person or intentionally causes the complainant to come into contact with seminal fluid, urine or feces for the purpose of arousing sexual desire in the person or the complainant and:

(1)the person does so without the complainant’s consent;

(2)the person does so by forcible compulsion;

(3)the person does so by threat of forcible compulsion that would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution;

(4)the complainant is unconscious or the person knows that the complainant is unaware that the indecent contact is occurring;

(5)the person has substantially impaired the complainant’s power to appraise or control his or her conduct by administering or employing, without the knowledge of the complainant, drugs, intoxicants or other means for the purpose of preventing resistance;

(6)the complainant suffers from a mental disability which renders the complainant incapable of consent;

(7)the complainant is less than 13 years of age; or

(8)the complainant is less than 16 years of age and the person is four or more years older than the complainant and the complainant and the person are not married to each other.

Aggravated Indecent Assault:

According to PA Code § 3125, aggravated indecent assault is defined as:

Except as provided in sections 3121 (relating to rape), 3122.1 (relating to statutory sexual assault), 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse) and 3124.1 (relating to sexual assault), a person who engages in penetration, however slight, of the genitals or anus of a complainant with a part of the person’s body for any purpose other than good faith medical, hygienic or law enforcement procedures commits aggravated indecent assault if:

(1)  the person does so without the complainant’s consent;

(2)  the person does so by forcible compulsion;

(3)  the person does so by threat of forcible compulsion that would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution;

(4)  the complainant is unconscious or the person knows that the complainant is unaware that the penetration is occurring;

(5)  the person has substantially impaired the complainant’s power to appraise or control his or her conduct by administering or employing, without the knowledge of the complainant, drugs, intoxicants or other means for the purpose of preventing resistance;

(6)  the complainant suffers from a mental disability which renders him or her incapable of consent;

(7)  the complainant is less than 13 years of age; or

(8)  the complainant is less than 16 years of age and the person is four or more years older than the complainant and the complainant and the person are not married to each other.

Aggravated indecent assault of a child. — A person commits aggravated indecent assault of a child when the person violates subsection (a)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) and the complainant is less than 13 years of age.


An Arrest is Not a Conviction
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Pennsylvania Sex Crime Lawyer

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610-566-5956


Penalties for an Indecent Assault Conviction in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, indecent assault is typically considered a misdemeanor, unless the complainant or victim is under the age of 13. The penalties will depend on whether the charges are for a first- or second- degree misdemeanor.

A misdemeanor conviction for indecent assault of the first degree can mean up to seven years in jail, and a fine of up to $15,000.

A felony conviction can mean up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Aggravated Indecent Assault charges in Pennsylvania are typically considered a felony of the second degrees.

A second degree felony conviction typically means up to ten years in prison.

If the victim is under the age of 13 in an aggravated indecent assault charge, this is a first-degree felony. A first-degree felony has a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.


An Arrest is Not a Conviction
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Pennsylvania Sex Crime Lawyer

Call Attorney Wana Saadzoi Today
610-566-5956


Other Consequences of Sex Crime Convictions

In addition to prison time and large fines, a sex crime conviction can also mean a lifetime of registering as a sex offender after your release from prison.

The national sex offender registry is known as SORNA (or Megan’s Law). If you are required to register on SORNA, anyone who does a basic background check or conducts a basic Internet search will easily see your criminal history.

SORNA can make it very difficult for you to find housing, a job, or obtain a loan.


An Arrest is Not a Conviction
Get a Free Legal Case Evaluation

Pennsylvania Sex Crime Lawyer

Call Attorney Wana Saadzoi Today
610-566-5956


HOW WANA SAADZOI CAN HELP

Attorney Wana Saadzoi has successfully won many complex sex crime cases in Pennsylvania. She is a tough, aggressive Pennsylvania Sex Crime Attorney who will fight to have your charges reduced or dismissed.

Attorney Saadzoi understands that not everyone accused of a sex crime is guilty. She is a former prosecutor who understands both sides of the courtroom and will search every detail for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. She works tirelessly on her clients’ behalf to defend their rights.

Defending Your Rights: An Arrest is NOT a Conviction.

When someone alleges you committed a sex crime, your freedom is at stake.

There are many reasons why a person may press false charges or many instances in how both sides may have perceived the sexual encounter differently. Until you are convicted, there are many options to defend your reputation and your rights.

Prosecutors must prove every element of their case beyond a reasonable doubt in order to get a conviction in any criminal case. Many different defense strategies to sex crimes can show reasonable doubt, including mistaken identity, false reporting / false allegations, consent, duress, insanity, intoxication, alibi, and impossibility.

An aggressive sex crime lawyer will work to diminish the accusations of your accuser and seek out any evidence that can prove your innocence. In addition, if false claims apply, a defense attorney can file a countersuit or defamation lawsuit if the false claim harmed the defendant.

Your life and your freedom are important to you and your family. Attorney Wana Saadzoi will do everything possible to defend your rights.

Call 610-566-5956 to schedule a free legal case evaluation. 

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