If you or a loved one is charged with sexual offense in the third degree Maryland, this article may help answer some basic questions.
After you’ve read the article, take advantage of our free consultation by calling us at 301.513.7832.
Table of Contents
What is Sexual Offense in the Third Degree?
Sex offense in third degree is one of the most commonly charged sex offenses in Maryland. Why is that? This happens because this crime entails several types of alleged criminal activity. Some are related to force, some to age, and so on.
The type of conduct varies so greatly that different subsections for third degree sex offense carry different levels of sex offender registry. Here is the law for sex offense third degree:
ยง 3-307. Sexual offense in the third degree
(a) A person may not:
(1)(i) engage in sexual contact with another without the consent of the other; and
(ii) 1. employ or display a dangerous weapon, or a physical object that the victim reasonably believes is a dangerous weapon;
- suffocate, strangle, disfigure, or inflict serious physical injury on the victim or another in the course of committing the crime;
- threaten, or place the victim in fear, that the victim, or an individual known to the victim, imminently will be subject to death, suffocation, strangulation, disfigurement, serious physical injury, or kidnapping; or
- commit the crime while aided and abetted by another;
(2) engage in sexual contact with another if the victim is a substantially cognitively impaired individual, a mentally incapacitated individual, or a physically helpless individual, and the person performing the act knows or reasonably should know the victim is a substantially cognitively impaired individual, a mentally incapacitated individual, or a physically helpless individual;
(3) engage in sexual contact with another if the victim is under the age of 14 years, and the person performing the sexual contact is at least 4 years older than the victim;
(4) engage in a sexual act with another if the victim is 14 or 15 years old, and the person performing the sexual act is at least 21 years old; or
(5) engage in vaginal intercourse with another if the victim is 14 or 15 years old, and the person performing the act is at least 21 years old.
Penalty
(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of sexual offense in the third degree and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years.
In addition to these punishments, a conviction for third degree sex offense carries a sex offender registry of either 25 years or life imprisonment.
Things to Thing About When Hiring a Lawyer for Sex Offense Third Degree Cases.
It goes without saying that you need an experienced attorney for your sex offense if you are charged in Maryland. The attorneys at Seddiq Law have decades of sex offense defense experience and can put that experience to use for you.
We also recognize the need to consult with experts early on in a sex offense case. A defense without experts in a sex case can be hugely problematic for a client. Seddiq Law has close working relationships with some of the country’s finest forensic experts.
Finally, Mirriam Z. Seddiq, obviously, is a female attorney. This is not a primary consideration but it is certainly helpful to have a woman attorney at defense table when one is being accused of a sex crime.
The Sex Offender Registry.
If you know anyone who has had to comply with the severe restrictions of a sex offender registry you know how it can completely ruin your life. Not only will your offense be a public record, searchable on the internet, you will also be required to report regularly and will be limited on the types of places you can go.
Thankfully, Maryland does recognize that being on the registry is akin to a criminal punishment. But knowing that is only helpful if you mount a vigorous defense in your case early on. Once you are on the registry it is extremely difficult to get removed from it.
Free Consultation.
Mirriam Z. Seddiq has the experience you need for your sex offense case. Even if your family calls us at 3 am, we answer the call.
We can be available day or night to defense you in your case. Call us at 301.513.7832.