A recent story illustrates the difficulty that defendants facing charges of a sex crime may encounter in their daily lives.
A physician who was the medical director of a private academy was arrested on charges relating to a sex crime. Law enforcement officers claimed they found DVDs and images related to child pornography at the man’s home. The man has been taken into custody and is awaiting his federal court appearance. The man has surrendered his state medical license, and the state medical board is reported to be conducting its own investigation. His employers have put the man on leave.
Keep in mind that the man has not yet been convicted of any crime. The tragedy in this case is that the man’s employer and medical licensing board are acting simply on allegations of wrongdoing, rather than an actual conviction.
The criminal justice system does contain some safeguards for persons accused of crimes, including the right to have lawyer, the right to a fair trial, and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the system is not always perfect.
Stories like this one illustrate just how damaging accusations of sex crimes can be to the reputations of defendants. Even if the allegations are false, the damage has been done. For that reason, a defendant facing such charges needs an experienced attorney, who can fight for the rights of those he represents.
Every criminal defense case must be addressed on an individual basis, and an experienced attorney will investigate all the circumstances of the situation to look at any elements that can impact the case. Sometimes, even a minor or seemingly insignificant detail can make a difference.
If you have been charged with a sex crime, it is important that you have an attorney on your side that can advise you on your best defense.
Source: cbs12.com, “Doctor accused in child porn case to stay jailed,” Sept. 21, 2012