When you face criminal charges related to sexual assault, your first instinct might be to panic. This is only natural given the social stigma and potential ramifications of a conviction. To make matters worse, many people have no idea what the legal definition of “sexual assault” actually is.
The truth is sexual assault is a broad term that encompasses several crimes under Criminal Code article 265 and its clauses. Depending on the circumstances of your arrest and the details of the case against you, hiring a lawyer specializing in sexual assault might be necessary to avoid an unjust outcome from these charges. Let’s take a look at the real cost of hiring a sexual assault lawyer and why it may be worth it in your case.
Read also: Can I fire my lawyer before the settlement?
The Legal Fees of Hiring a Sexual Assault Lawyer
Simply hiring a lawyer to represent you on a sexual assault charge isn’t going to cost you much. But when you hire a sexual assault lawyer, you’re setting aside money to pay for their legal services. Most sexual assault cases are straightforward, so you’ll only need one lawyer to represent you. However, some cases can take a lot longer and require more lawyers.
The cost of hiring a lawyer depends on a few things, like the lawyer’s hourly rate and whether you need them on a full-time or part-time basis.
But most importantly, it depends on the complexity of your case. If you hire a lawyer for a serious sexual assault charge, you’ll probably be paying a hefty hourly rate. If you only need a lawyer for a few days, representing yourself may be more cost-effective.
If you decide to represent yourself, you’ll have to pay the full cost of hiring your lawyer if you need one. Also, keep in mind that if you hire an attorney, you can expect to pay them regardless of whether you need them. In other words, you must be prepared to pay even if you don’t need the lawyer’s services.
The Cost of Leaving the Police to Investigate
The first thing a sexual assault lawyer will tell you is that charges are only allegations until proven guilty. That may sound simple enough, but it’s something many people fail to remember. Once you’re arrested and charged with a criminal offense, you immediately become the defendant in the case. This means you’re the one who is supposed to prove your innocence. If the police believe you are guilty, they can investigate the case themselves or ask the Crown to take over.
In many cases, the police choose to investigate their cases. This may be because they are responsible for protecting the public from dangerous criminals or they don’t feel confident enough to decide on their own. Depending on the nature of the accused person’s charges, the police may leave the investigation to the accused person’s lawyer. This is particularly likely if the accused faces minor charges, such as public intoxication or mischief.
The Cost of Expert Witnesses and Exhibits
Lawyers don’t come cheap. And while they may be your best chance at avoiding a conviction, they will not magically solve your case. That’s why most sexual assault lawyers want you to hire expert witnesses and exhibits to support your case. Experts can provide crucial testimony about the details of your case, like how you were maneuvered into the sexual encounter, how many people were present, and your sexual history.
Exhibits can be as simple as a copy of your online dating profile or as complex as DNA evidence. The cost of hiring an expert witness or an exhibit depends on the person’s hourly rate and the complexity of your case. For example, if you want a DNA expert, you’ll have to pay a hefty amount up-front. This is because you’ll need the DNA expert’s sample to test the DNA evidence in your case.
The Real Cost of Conviction
The last thing a sexual assault lawyer will tell you is that a conviction for sexual assault can affect your life in many ways. People convicted of sexual assault are barred from entering certain professions, like healthcare and teaching. They’re also unlikely to get employment for a very long time. Like most adults, this can be difficult for people who rely on a steady income.
If you plead guilty to sexual assault charges, you’ll be required to pay a fine. This may seem like a small punishment considering a conviction’s consequences, but it comes at a hefty cost. Fines are meant to punish people for breaking the law, meaning many people will choose to pay them. This means you’ll have to pay a fine even though you’ve already confessed to the crime and have a good chance of receiving an unjust conviction.
Hiring a Defender May Be More Reasonable
So why not just hire a sexual assault lawyer? Although having a lawyer on your side is a good idea, you don’t necessarily have to hire one. Hiring a sexual assault lawyer can be expensive and unnecessary for a simple charge like public intoxication. In some cases, filing a public mischief charge may be enough to prevent someone from being sexually violated.
If the sexual assault charge is serious enough, a public mischief charge may be enough to keep you out of trouble. If you plead guilty to a public mischief charge, you’ll be required to pay a fine. This may seem like a minor, nominal punishment for a dangerous crime, but it comes at a huge cost.
Fines are meant to punish people for breaking the law, meaning many people will choose to pay them. This means you’ll have to pay a fine even though you’ve already confessed to the crime and have a good chance of receiving an unjust conviction.
Finding a lawyer Can Be Difficult
Because hiring a sexual assault lawyer can cost a lot of money, finding an attorney to represent you on a sexual assault charge can be difficult. This is particularly true for people who don’t have the money to pay a big attorney fee up-front. Depending on your income, it may be difficult to find a lawyer willing to take on your case on a contingency fee basis.
This means you’d have to pay the lawyer a set amount even if you don’t receive a conviction. The good news is that there are resources out there that can help you find a cheap sexual assault lawyer. Many non-profit legal services help people like sexual assault victims find affordable criminal defense lawyers.
Conclusion
When facing criminal charges, hiring a sexual assault lawyer can be a crucial move. They can provide you with the legal representation you need to fight for your innocence in court and help you avoid a conviction. While hiring a lawyer can be costly, it’s worth it if it helps protect your future.
