Being accused of child sexual abuse may feel like you have a loaded gun pointed at your head, and for good reason. Child sexual abuse defendants are viewed by society as the lowest of the law. Often, just an accusation of child sexual abuse will lead many to assume your guilt before any evidence has been presented.
If you’re facing a child sexual abuse charge, you need a criminal defense team that’s willing to represent you despite the negative social stigma associated with your charge. That’s where we come in. At Pierce Law Firm, P.C., we never back down from a challenge. We will fight for the best possible outcome in your case, no matter the circumstances.
Oklahoma Child Sexual Abuse Laws
Child sexual abuse is a severe offense heavily penalized under federal and state laws enacted to protect children and serve justice to affected children. In Oklahoma, there are various laws penalizing child exploitation and abuse, ensuring criminal prosecution against offenders, and providing support to victims.
Under 21 OK Stat § 843.5, child sexual abuse is defined as the willful or malicious sexual abuse of a child under eighteen (18) years of age by a person responsible for a child’s health, safety, or welfare and includes, but is not limited to:
- sexual intercourse,
- penetration of the vagina or anus, however slight, by an inanimate object or any part of the human body not amounting to sexual intercourse,
- sodomy,
- incest, or
- a lewd act or proposal.
Various acts are considered sexual abuse to children. Examples include indecent exposure, sodomy, and rape. No matter the type of child sexual abuse, the state and federal governments take these charges extremely seriously.
Depending on the nature and extent of the crime, accused offenders can face decades of prison time, be forced to register on a sex offender registry, and be ostracized from society.
Child sexual abuse committed by a caregiver is a particularly heinous crime. The state imposes severe penalties in this situation due to the breach of trust and responsibility required to commit such an act. Caregivers, or persons responsible for a child’s safety, health, and welfare, must protect children from exposure to sexual acts, or they may be charged with neglect.
Notably, the phrase “persons responsible for a child’s health, safety, or welfare” is not limited to parents, legal guardians, and foster parents of the child. The term also includes:
- a person eighteen (18) years of age or older with whom the parent of the child cohabitates, who is at least three (3) years older than the child,
- any other person eighteen (18) years of age or older residing in the home of the child, who is at least three (3) years older than the child,
- an owner, operator, agent, employee, or volunteer of a public or private residential home, institution, facility, or day treatment program that the child attended,
- an owner, operator, agent, employee, or volunteer of a child care facility that the child attended,
- an intimate partner of the parent of the child, or
- a person who has voluntarily accepted responsibility for the care or supervision of a child.
People in the positions mentioned above have legal and societal expectations not to abuse the children in their lives. Breaching this trust by causing harm to a child is one of the worst charges an individual can face. If you’re facing these charges, Pierce Law Firm will advise you of your rights and present a zealous defense in your favor.
Other Forms of Child Sexual Abuse
Under 21 OK Stat § 1021.2, child pornography is prohibited. The crime is committed by any person who shall procure or cause the participation of any minor in any child pornography.
Finally, procuring any child for prostitution is criminalized under 21 OK Stat § 1087. Under the law, no person shall offer or secure a child for prostitution or any other lewd or indecent act.
Get Legal Help Fast
The penalties associated with child sexual abuse charges are severe on both the federal and state level. Common penalties for these charges, including lengthy prison sentences and registration on sex offender registries, have devastating effects. Contact Pierce Law Firm today for aggressive felony defense representation you can trust to defend your constitutional rights and fight for you when no one else will.