Being charged with any type of sex offense in Greensboro can be serious business. A conviction on a rape charge, for example, can lead to a long prison sentence, as well as other problems. These other problems might include being forced to sign onto a sex offender registry, loss of employment and restrictions on where the convicted individual can live and socialize. And then there is the stigma that is attached having a rape conviction. Sometimes such a stigma can follow a convicted person for the rest of his or her life.

On Dec. 17, a 30-year-old man was arrested and charged with second-degree rape. According to a North Carolina official, the man is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a residence in Morganton. During his first court appearance, which took place on Dec. 20, the accused man asked for a court-appointed lawyer, and his request was granted. He was being held under a $75,000 secured bond.

In all cases involving sex offenses, a charge does not necessarily lead to a conviction. Such accusations can carry serious consequences, so it is important that individuals who are charged with sex crimes have a strong and meaningful defense in court. Every accused person has rights under North Carolina and federal laws, and professional legal assistance can be invaluable in cases in which the penalties are potentially severe.

When Greensboro residents face felony charges of any type, they are often best served by working with a criminal law attorney who can assess the facts of a situation and work toward a dismissal or reduction of charges.

Source: The News Herald, "Man jailed after alleged sexual assault," Dec. 20, 2011