Convictions on sex crimes in Michigan can carry with them very serious consequences and losses of rights for those who have been accused of committing such wrongdoing. Last week’s post on this Kalamazoo criminal defense legal blog touched on some of the ways a person charged with sexual assault may offer defenses to the pending legal allegation; this week’s post will introduce a news story that involves a local business owner facing sex crime charges of his own.
The man involved in this legal nightmare is a massage therapist and business owner. Several of his clients have alleged that he sexually assaulted them to varying degrees. He faces five sex crimes charges in total, with four being third degree criminal sexual conduct charges, each carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, and the fifth crime being fourth degree criminal sexual conduct that may be punished with two years in prison.
Simple math quickly proves that if convicted this individual may spend the rest of his life behind bars. Despite the alleged victims’ accusations against him, though, this individual has the right to prepare a criminal defense plan for the trial he will face where the facts and evidence of his alleged crimes will be presented.
People who face allegations of sex crimes often can, given the facts of their cases, use the defenses introduced last week to prevent their wrongful conviction on charges that have been brought against them. With the help of criminal defense attorneys they can also use the evidence and circumstances of their charges to refute the case the prosecutor builds. If a prosecutor fails to fully prove a criminal charge an accused individual may avoid conviction; attorneys who defend those facing criminal charges can work with their clients to prepare defense strategies that meet their clients’ needs.
Source: mlive.com, “Kalamazoo massage therapist charged with sex crimes against clients,” Emily Monacelli, March 8, 2017
