Sexual Assault Lawyer – What You Need To Know It’s a sad statistic: One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they turn eighteen. Ninety-six percent of people who are abuse children are male with seventy-seven percent of perpetrators being adults. Twenty-five percent of women attending college find themselves victims of sexual assault on campus. Only twelve percent of sexual assault cases are reported with more than ninety percent of campus sexual assaults going unreported in the United States.
Criminal cases differ from civil suits and it's important to know and understand the differences to identify which you are currently being charged with. Criminal cases are when a crime is reported to authorities resulting in a law enforcement investigation, resulting in an arrest and formal charging. The prosecutor then attempts to prove that you committed the crime. If found guilty of a criminal offense, you could face fines and/or jail time. Criminal cases are the most common and if you find yourself facing criminal charges, then it's recommended to secure legal counsel as quickly as possible to ensure your case is handled properly and that you don't do or say anything that can be used against you. Civil suits are different. These are filed on behalf of the victim in the civil courts based on the evidence. The judge or jury makes the decision on whether the abuse occurred or not, they determine the damage and then determine what is fair. Civil suits do not determine guilt or innocence, but rather focus on the liability for injuries sustained as a result of the abuse. Sexual assault can occur with students on campus, by a member of the clergy or by a family friend or family member. Your sexual assault lawyer will focus on several important factors to ensure that they have accurate evidence to ensure a fair and fast resolution wherever possible.