Were You Accused of a Sex Crime?

Defending Clients Accused of Possessing Child Pornography

People arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography may face state charges. Viewing online images may not seem like a dangerous crime, but when minors are involved, it is an extremely serious matter.

If you were charged with a crime involving child pornography or sexual exploitation of a child, you must have an experienced attorney defend you. The arrest and charges alone can damage your career, reputation and relationship with your family. A conviction will permanently change your life and the lives of your loved ones.

I provide tough, experienced defense for all state sex crime charges in North Carolina. Contact me at The Law Office of Rich Cassady today to discuss your case. I handle cases in Macon County, Cherokee County and beyond.

A Strong Defense Is Essential

You can rely on my experience for defense against possession, distribution and manufacturing child pornography charges. Penalties for convictions are harsh and may include:

I will challenge the prosecution's case at every step. In cases that are focused on computer and Internet use, the legality of the search and seizure is often questionable. If law enforcement used illegal tactics such as entrapment or if your home was searched illegally, I will argue for the resulting evidence to be suppressed.

There are defenses to child pornography charges and ways to mitigate the consequences. However, it is critical that you speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner I can get started on your defense, the better our opportunity to fight the charges.

Don't Take Chances With Your Future

For a free consultation, please call my Macon or Cherokee County office at 828-634-4132 or 800-811-9295.

Understanding the Consequences of a Sex Crime Accusation

There is no worse crime to be accused of than a sex crime. North Carolina has several sex crimes, from felonies whose punishments can be as much as a minimum of 25 years in prison to misdemeanors, which carry a maximum possible sentence of 150 days. That, however, is not the end of it. After one chooses to plead guilty to, or is found guilty by a jury of a sex crime, that person is now a " sex offender," and must register as such. The minimum time one is required to register as a sex offender, at present, is 15 years.

Registration as a sexual offender carries more potential pitfalls than could be listed here. Your picture, height, weight, eye and hair color, date of birth, address, and crime will be placed on the website of the North Carolina Attorney General, which will be linked to both your local sheriff's website and that of the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections. You will have to verify your address every six months with your local sheriff along with many other restrictions on your ability to work and travel. You may be required to wear a satellite monitoring device so your every movement may be tracked from space by government officials. In short, the punishment may feel as if it will never end.

Often these cases will be your word against that of your accuser. It is very uncommon that there is any physical evidence that any type of crime was committed. Though you will be "presumed innocent," the truth is that you will be in the position of having to try and prove that something did not happen. If you are thinking to yourself as you read this that you will simply need an alibi that you were somewhere else when you supposedly committed this crime, indictments are commonly written to allege only the month and year, such as "December 2011." Now you are forced to account for your whereabouts for an entire month. Think quickly, what did you do and where did you go every single day of "December 2011"?

A person accused of a sex crime needs a criminal defense lawyer more than someone charged with almost any other type of crime. The mere allegation of committing a sex crime destroys reputations and families. It is not uncommon for DSS to become involved, and restrict or prohibit your contact with your own children. The list of horrors goes on.

If you are charged with any type of sex crime, contact me, and let's discuss your case and your options. I handle cases in Macon County, Cherokee County and beyond.

Defending You from Child Molestation Charges

There are few accusations more damaging to your reputation and your future than those involving sexual abuse of a minor. Many people will prejudge you as guilty even if the accusations are completely false.

I am attorney Rich Cassady, and I am well-known for my aggressive defense of people accused of sex offenses in North Carolina. If you are accused of child molestation or any sex crime involving a child, seek the advice of an experienced defense attorney before you say anything to anyone else. I handle cases in Macon County, Cherokee County and beyond.

Protecting Your Reputation And Your Future

Innocent people who are accused of a sex crime involving a minor need a lawyer as much as someone who is guilty — maybe more so. Many innocent people have had their lives ruined because someone accused them of molesting a child. The following are examples of how an innocent person can be wrongfully accused of a sex crime involving a minor:

• An ex spouse accuses her former partner of molesting their children out of revenge, or to gain the upper hand in a divorce or child custody dispute.
• A child accuses a parent of a sex crime because he or she is angry over being grounded or having his or her cellphone taken away.
• Adults brainwash a child into thinking he or she was a sex crime victim over an event that never happened.

Unfortunately, you can face devastating consequences even if the only evidence against you are the statements of an accuser. Discussing the accusation with the police can be extremely dangerous. Anything you say can be twisted around to mean something you never intended. For example, a statement saying you were alone with a child can be used as probable cause to arrest you.

Don't Take Chances With Your Future