Aggravated Rape Defense in Massachusetts
Being accused of aggravated rape in Massachusetts is one of the most serious and life-altering criminal charges a person can face. Convictions carry devastating penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and mandatory sex offender registration, which can affect every aspect of your personal and professional life. At Benzaken, Maguire, Sheehan, and Wood, LLP, our team of skilled criminal defense attorneys understands the high stakes involved in these cases. We are here to provide the aggressive, strategic representation you need to protect your rights and future.
What Is Aggravated Rape in Massachusetts?
Under Massachusetts law, rape is defined as sexual intercourse or unnatural sexual intercourse with another person by force, through the threat of bodily injury, or against the person’s will. When certain aggravating factors are present, the charge is elevated to aggravated rape, which carries even harsher penalties.
Aggravating factors include:
• Serious Bodily Injury: Rape that causes significant physical harm to the alleged victim.
• Use of a Firearm: A rape charge involving the use or presence of a firearm carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, and for a second time 15 years.
• Drugging for Sexual Intercourse: Administering drugs to incapacitate the alleged victim for the purpose of sexual assault carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in state prison.
• Victim’s Age:
• An age gap of more than five years when the alleged victim is under 12 years old.
• An age gap of more than 10 years when the alleged victim is under 16 years old.
• Mandated Reporter Offenses: Defendants who are mandated reporters (e.g., teachers, doctors, counselors, or childcare workers) face heightened penalties.
Penalties for Aggravated Rape
The penalties for aggravated rape in Massachusetts are among the most severe in the Commonwealth’s legal system. They include:
• Imprisonment:
• Up to life in prison for rape involving aggravating factors such as serious bodily injury or the use of a firearm.
• Mandatory minimum sentences for certain offenses, including 10 years for drugging and 10 or 15 years for rape with a firearm.
• Criminal Record: A conviction results in a permanent criminal record, which can severely limit your employment, housing, and educational opportunities.
• Sex Offender Registration: Mandatory registration with the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB), which can impact where you live, work, and travel.
These penalties reflect the gravity of the charges, making it essential to have an experienced defense attorney by your side from the outset.
Defending Against Aggravated Rape Charges
At Benzaken, Maguire, Sheehan, and Wood, LLP, we are committed to providing an aggressive and comprehensive defense tailored to the unique facts of your case. Defending against aggravated rape charges often involves starting to shape trial strategy from the moment we begin the investigation. Talking to witnesses, summonsing records and investigating the strength of the Commonwealth’s evidence must often be undertaken, in order to be able to expose the reason for the false allegation of Aggravated Rape.
Why Choose Benzaken, Maguire, Sheehan, and Wood, LLP?
Our firm has extensive experience handling complex and high-stakes sex crime cases, including false allegations of aggravated rape. Here’s why clients trust us:
• Proven Expertise: We have successfully defended clients against serious criminal charges, leveraging decades of combined experience.
• Collaborative Team Approach: Our five-attorney team works together to ensure every angle of your case is thoroughly examined and strategically addressed.
• Aggressive Advocacy: We fight relentlessly to protect your rights and freedom, both in and out of the courtroom.
• Compassionate Guidance: We understand the emotional toll of these accusations and provide respectful, non-judgmental support throughout the legal process.
Contact Us for a Confidential Consultation
If you have been falsely accused of aggravated rape in Massachusetts, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side as soon as possible. The sooner you involve a skilled legal team, the better your chances of building a strong defense and achieving the best possible outcome.
Benzaken, Maguire, Sheehan, and Wood, LLP
