Being convicted of a sexually-based crime brings with it harsh criminal penalties like fines and incarceration. Sex crime convictions, however, tend to have far-reaching impacts, many of which defendants never even consider.  

North Carolina treats all sexual crimes, including rape, as very serious offenses. When someone is charged with rape, their life can quickly become difficult and stressful. Even being accused, before anything is proven, can damage a person’s reputation. If someone is found guilty of a sexual offense, they will have to go to prison, and the sentence can be very long.

Even after leaving prison, people convicted of sex offenses face many limits on their lives. They may not be allowed to live, work, or travel in certain places. Employers are allowed to say no to hiring someone with a sex offense on their record. Landlords can also refuse to rent to them. Community members can look up their personal information on the North Carolina sex offender registry. If you are facing sex crime charges in North Carolina, it is very important to have an experienced North Carolina sex crimes lawyer on your side. Contact our criminal defense law firm today to set up your first meeting.

Potential Consequences of Being Convicted of a Sex Crime

Being found guilty of a sex crime can have a massive impact on multiple areas of your life, including:

Registration as a Sex Offender 

Some sex crimes require people who are convicted to add their names to the state’s sex offender registry. How long you must stay on the registry depends on the crime. For the most serious offenses, a person has to remain on the registry for life.

The sex offender registry is a matter of public record. Information about your offense, your address, and your picture are widely available for anyone to share, view, and search.

Barriers to Housing and Employment 

Because the sex offender registry is public, any employer or landlord who does a background check will see your conviction. This can make it hard to get a steady job or find a place to live.

If you have a professional license, it may be suspended or taken away after a sex crime conviction, which makes finding work even harder. Most licensing boards can punish someone however they think is appropriate, even for misdemeanor offenses.

Obstacles to Immigration

If you are an immigrant convicted of a sex crime, you may find your residency and status in jeopardy. Immigrants can be deported for sex crime convictions, even if they have a green card. And even if they are not deported, they may not be allowed to become U.S. citizens in the future.

Loss of Federal Benefits and Other Financial Consequences

A sex crime conviction can create serious money problems. You might lose access to certain federal benefits, like government assistance, public housing, or student loans.

You can also face money troubles because it may be harder to get a job or find a place to live. For example, you might not be allowed to live near schools, parks, or other places where children spend time. This can limit where you’re allowed to rent and make your housing costs higher or harder to manage.

Your Civil Rights

If you are convicted of a felony sex crime in North Carolina, you will lose your right to own a gun. For some non-violent crimes, you may get that right back if your conviction is erased from your record.

You will also lose your right to vote while you are in prison or on probation for a felony. Once you finish your full sentence, including probation, your right to vote will return.

Additional Personal Consequences

Besides all the legal and financial problems that come with a sex crime conviction, the harm to your personal life can be the hardest to deal with. Your relationships with friends, family, and coworkers may suffer. If you have children, you might lose custody because you are registered as a sex offender. The social impact of a conviction can change how people in your family and community see and treat you.

Facing Sex Crime Charges? Talk to a North Carolina Sex Crimes Lawyer

Fighting for a reduction or dismissal of sex crime charges often means the difference between having to register as a sex offender and keeping your freedoms and rights.
Don’t leave your future in the hands of a jury if you can help it. The North Carolina sex crimes lawyers at Ryan Willis Law understand what is at stake and can help you advocate for the best outcome. Call us today at (919) 341-6294 or use the contact form on our website to schedule a confidential case review.