Your Law Firm for a Strong Nashville Rape Defense

While rape makes for dramatic storylines in movies and TV shows, in reality it is a personal tragedy for all concerned.  The victim may be haunted by the incident for life. The public feels less safe.  And the perpetrator faces severe punishment and a lifetime stigma as a sex offender.

While advances in DNA evidence and criminal forensics are helping law enforcement officials and the justice system pin down or rule out culprits, many rape cases boil down to the testimony of distraught victims and circumstantial evidence. 

In some cases, false accusations of rape are leveled against innocent people.  In this case, an experienced, competent lawyer, like the defense attorneys at Craft & Sheppard, PLC, must be hired to counsel people facing accusations of rape and fight for their rights and freedom.

Understanding Nashville rape charges

Many different crimes fall under the heading of rape including the following:

  • Aggravated rape
  • Forcible rape
  • Date rape
  • Statutory rape
  • Spousal rape
  • Child molestation

Aggravated rape charges in Nashville

Rape is considered aggravated rape if any of the following criteria is met:

  • A weapon was involved during the rape
  • The victim believed the defendant had a weapon and intended to use it
  • There was bodily harm or injury to the victim
  • The crime was aided or abetted by one or more people

Facing charges of statutory rape in Nashville

Statutory rape generally refers to instances where the rape victim is under the age of 18, for example, when the rape victim is between 13 and 15 years old and the defendant is four years older, or when the rape victim is between 15 and 18 years old and the defendant is five years older.  Our defense attorneys can explain the laws related to Nashville statutory rape charges and possibly penalties that apply.

Facing charges of Nashville spousal rape

When the victim is the spouse of the defendant, the term spousal rape may be used if the following criteria apply:

  • If a weapon was used during the sexual assault
  • If it causes serious bodily injury to the victim
  • If the spouses were living apart or filed for separation or divorce

Providing a strong Nashville rape defense

A conviction for a rape charge in Nashville is devastating and life altering.  So if you need legal defense for a Nashville rape charge, please call Craft & Sheppard, PLC toll-free at 1-888-826-1470 or contact us online.