Sex crimes refer to someone touching another person sexually or in an offensive or unwanted manner, against their wishes. Sex crimes are criminal offenses which carry heavy penalties and fines. In almost all states, sex offenders have to register themselves with their local law enforcement agency. They also have to register as a sex offender in the sex offender register for life.
Depending on the severity of the sex crime, it may be classified as a felony sex crime or a misdemeanor sex crime. There is a very slim chance to have a misdemeanor sex crime erased from your record, whereas felony sex crimes cannot be removed from a record at all. Anyone having a sex crime on their record will not be able to get a decent job above the minimum wage limit. They may also not be able to obtain a professional license.
States like Illinois define a sex crime as a crime which involved sexual misconduct. It may include assault, unlawful sexual behavior, illegal pornography, and statutory rape. If the state convicts a person of a sex crime, that person will be considered a sex offender. There are certain exceptions to the rule when it comes to expunging a sex crime conviction. It all depends on the facts and circumstances of the case. For example, if the offender was 21 years or older, if they have any prior convictions on their record, if they had a clean record every since they turned 18 and so on.
The process of getting a crime removed from your record is legally called expungement. Generally, most states allow certain non-serious crimes to be easily expunged such as an infraction, a traffic violation, a simple arrest, or a citation. Similarly, certain misdemeanor convictions and non-violent felonies can also be successfully expunged from your record after completion of a probation period successfully. However the more serious crimes, especially those involving sexual activity and those involving a minor, cannot be expunged from the criminal record. These crimes include child pornography, luring or enticing a child, as well as showing obscene or vulgar literature to a child.
Only a very limited number of sex misdemeanors may be expunged. These include sexual misconduct, as well as lewd or lascivious behavior. It all depends on the facts and circumstances of the case. In most cases, there are no guarantees that you can expunge a sex crime from your record. Even if a sex offense is expunged, the expungement will not end your duty to register as a sex-offender according to the Sex Offender Registration Act.
If you have been charged with a sex crime, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to defend your case. Bring charged with a sex crime should not be taken lightly as it can have an impact you negatively for the rest of your life. Seek legal help from a qualified attorney who can assist you through the process.
