Assault with Intent to Rape
Assault with intent to rape requires the Commonwealth to prove a person assaulted another, the assault can take the form of an uninvited touching no matter how slight or even just putting someone in fear of imminent harm without even touching them. The assault must be with the intent to commit a rape. A specific intent can be formed through contemplation, no matter how brief. Penalties for a conviction of this offense can be up to life in prison, if a firearm was used it carries a mandatory minimum 5 year sentence, a subsequent offense carries a 20 year mandatory minimum sentence.
A conviction for this offense would require registration with the sex offender registry board (SORB) which would classify an offender at a specific sex offense level requiring potential publication of their name online.
Frank Fernandez is a Boston criminal lawyer who is experienced in representing clients charged with sex crimes. It is important to get an attorney involved as soon as possible. Getting an attorney who knows sex crimes involved early while the police are investigating the case gives you your best chance. A good criminal lawyer can help you in dealing with the police as they investigate these types of allegations. These cases are usually a swearing contest between the alleged victim and the suspect. It is impoprtant to have an attorney involved to advise you on whether it is best to share your side of the story with the police or whether it is smarter to remain silent. We work with experienced investigators and experts who can look into and explain to a jury the different reasons why someone would make up allegations of rape and testify falsely against another. Contact us for a free consultation about your situation.