how to choose a molestation lawyer

When finding the best match between your incident and a sexual abuse legal team, it’s important to find the right lawyer with the experience and expertise to maximize recovery. A sexual abuse lawyer should be able to pursue all the legal options available to you and have a firm understanding of breaking sexual abuse litigation news.

Full Answer

Do you need a lawyer for sexual abuse?

... Victim of Sexual Abuse? You've come to the right place. If you are a victim of unlawful sexual conduct -- including rape, molestation, clergy abuse, and unwanted sexual touching -- you should speak with a sexual abuse lawyer today.

How do I choose the best family lawyer?

State bar associations are also good resources for finding lawyers who practice in the field in which you require assistance. Online resources can be another good source, and many such resources have the added benefit of offering consumer reviews, so you can see how other people have rated their interactions with a particular attorney.

What should you look for when hiring a lawyer?

You want to make sure that the lawyer you hire has experience in the area of law in which you require assistance. There are many practice areas in the legal field, and most lawyers tend to handle cases in specific practice areas. Potential costs.

What should I do if I'm a victim of sexual abuse?

If you are a victim of unlawful sexual conduct -- including rape, molestation, clergy abuse, and unwanted sexual touching -- you should speak with a sexual abuse lawyer today. Use FindLaw to hire a local sexual abuse lawyer who can help you recover compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering under a civil claim.

What are the different degrees of molestation?

First degree: the victim is less than twelve years old, and the perpetrator is at least three years older than the victim. Second degree: the victim is at least twelve years old but less than fourteen years old, and the perpetrator is at least three years older than the victim.

What is included in child molestation?

The Department of Justice defines child molestation as contacts or interactions such as inappropriate physical contact between a child and adult where the child is used for the sexual stimulation of the perpetrator.

What is molestation example?

Molest is defined as to harm, or to make unwanted sexual advances, or to sexually assault. An example of molest is someone cutting off a cat's tail. An example of molest is a teacher putting his hands up a girl student's skirt. An example of molest is a brother forcing his younger sister to have sex with him.

What is abuse molestation?

Child molestation is also only used to describe a sex crime against a small child, such as an infant, while child sexual abuse is more commonly used to describe sex crimes against older children and adolescents. Both terms refer to illegal sexual acts committed with, against or around a minor under the age of 18.

How long is a sentence for molestation?

Child Molestation Punishment and Sentence under California Penal Code 647.6 PC. If you are convicted of child molestation, you face a sentence of up to 364 days in jail or six years in prison. Your sentence may also include fines of up to $5,000, and you may be required to register as a sex offender.

What is molestation legally?

The crime of sexual acts with minors, including touching of private parts, exposure of genitalia, taking of pornographic pictures, rape, inducement of sexual acts with the molester or with other children, and variations of these acts.

What makes a person a child molestor?

A child molester is an indi- vidual who sexually molests children. A per- son might have a sexual preference for chil- dren and might fantasize about having sex with them. That person is a pedophile. But if he does not act out, then he is not a child molester.

What does fondling a child mean?

to handle or touch lovingly, affectionately, or tenderly; caress. to fondle a precious object. to fondle a child.

What does grooming a girl mean?

Grooming is when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with a child or young person so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them. Children and young people who are groomed can be sexually abused, exploited or trafficked. Anybody can be a groomer, no matter their age, gender or race.

Which is a short term effect of molestation?

Among adolescents, commonly reported sequelae include sexual dissatisfaction, promiscuity, homosexuality, and an increased risk for revictimization. Depression and suicidal ideation or behavior also appear to be more common among victims of sexual abuse compared to normal and psychiatric nonabused controls.

What does it mean to be molested?

1 : to make unwanted or improper sexual advances towards (someone) especially : to force physical and usually sexual contact on (someone) He was sent to prison for molesting children.

Is abuse and molestation covered under general liability?

Our Abuse or Molestation limits are separate from the Professional and Commercial General Liability coverage parts. An Abuse or Molestation claim will not reduce the coverage available for Professional and Commercial General Liability losses.

What is the best defense strategy for a client charged with child molestation?

The best defense strategy for a client charged with child molestation depends upon the nature of the accusation, the alleged evidence, the identity and credibility of the alleged victim, and the law enforcement investigation.

Why do some cases rely on secret tape recordings?

Some cases rely on secret tape recordings which might show that the accusations are not provable in court. Tape recordings and video evidence can also be used to assert the defense of insufficiency of the the evidence, meaning that the the case cannot be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

Can a lawyer represent you in a sexual abuse case?

Choosing the right lawyer to represent you or a loved one in a sexual abuse case is difficult. The truth is many unqualified lawyers advertise for sexual abuse cases. However, just because a lawyer advertises for a certain type of case does not mean the lawyer is skilled in handling that type of case. No ethical rules prohibit lawyers ...

Do personal injury lawyers advertise for sex abuse cases?

For example, personal injury lawyers often advertise for sex abuse cases after they read about a high-profile abuse case in the news. Their strategy is to sign up as many clients as possible, then try to figure out how to the handle their cases or ship them off for a referral fee to a lawyer that actually represents sexual abuse victims.

What to do if you have been sexually abused?

First, if you were recently a victim of a sexual abuse incident, contact the legal and medical authorities immediately. By contacting the authorities your incident will be documented and important evidence that may later be used at trial is collected. It is an important first step in making sure your rights are preserved and no information is lost.

How long does it take to get a sexual assault case?

Once your sexual abuse civil lawsuit is filed, it may take up to 6 months to 2 years before the lawsuit goes to trial. 3

How long does a trial for abuse last?

The actual abuse trial itself may only last a few weeks to a few months. We will present all the evidence collected to the jury. The jury will then decide the case on “preponderance of the evidence ” 4 . A preponderance of the evidence means the judge or jury only needs a majority decision to render a guilty or liable verdict in favor of the victim. From there, the jury will make a ruling and damages may be awarded.

What are some good resources for finding a lawyer?

State bar associations are also good resources for finding lawyers who practice in the field in which you require assistance. Online resources can be another good source, and many such resources have the added benefit of offering consumer reviews, so you can see how other people have rated their interactions with a particular attorney.

Do lawyers work by themselves?

The legal team. Some lawyers work by themselves, while others have paralegals on their team or outsource some of the legal work to other lawyers. You want to make sure you know who will be handling your file, as this can have an impact on both the quality of the service you receive and the cost. Communication.