New Orleans Sex Crimes Defense Attorney

Attorney Elizabeth B. Carpenter is an experienced, award-winning New Orleans sex crimes defense attorney.  She has dedicated a large part of her law practice defending individuals accused of sex crimes. American culture has created a justice system where a person accused of a sex offense is guilty until proven innocent, which is completely contrary to constitutional law. Sex offenses are taken very seriously by prosecutors in both Louisiana State and Federal Courts. With these accusations, you will be facing life altering legal penalties if convicted. It is imperative for you to work with a New Orleans Defense Attorney to serve as your advocate.

Attorney Carpenter’s practice aims to protect the rights of her clients and to preserve their freedom. As an experienced Louisiana sexual assault and child sex offense lawyer, Elizabeth B. Carpenter has successfully defended many clients facing these serious charges. In some cases, she has stepped in and stopped the investigation of her clients, resulting in no charges being filed. In other cases, she has obtained lesser charges and reduced penalties, and in other cases, she has won acquittals in jury trials.

She has handled many high profile cases involving school teachers, doctors, and other skilled professionals accused of committing sex offenses in Louisiana. Her clients come from all walks of life and have been referred to her by other attorneys, former clients and mental health professionals familiar with her outstanding reputation and track record of success.

She regularly consults with local and national experts in sex crime defense. Every year she attends numerous classes focusing on how to effectively defend sex crimes. She knows that not all people accused of a sex offense are in fact guilty. Unfortunately, anyone can accuse another of a sex crime, and most of these cases are based on one person’s testimony.

Why Should You Hire a Sex Crimes Attorney?

After an arrest, it is imperative that you hire an experienced New Orleans sex crimes defense attorney immediately.

Unfortunately, many people feel that a person accused of a sex crime does not deserve a good defense or is guilty until proven innocent. Attorney Elizabeth Carpenter believes in the United States Constitution. Prosecutors must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, and in sex cases, the prosecution often has a case resting on one person’s word against another’s.

  • Sex crimes are very sensitive subjects, and the court and the prosecution may feel pressure from the public to convict you of the crime because of how society views the accused. Your New Orleans sex crimes defense attorney will have a familiarity with Louisiana sex crime laws, which gives her a strong knowledge of the strategies, defenses, and processes necessary to defend you in front of these parties.
  • A sex crimes attorney will also have a strong knowledge of the court system that will hear your case, and relationships with the prosecutors and judges. Your lawyer will be able to support and guide you through these processes, helping you better understand and prepare for what is coming next.
  • Sex crime cases have the potential to severely impact your life if you receive a conviction. You may lose your job, ability to find affordable housing, and suffer from damage to your relationships and reputation. Hiring a sex crimes attorney can help increase your chances of obtaining the best possible outcome, giving you a greater opportunity to protect your future.

Can You Have Your Sex Offense Records Sealed in Louisiana?

In the state of Louisiana, convictions for sex crimes cannot be sealed or expunged.

A sex crime conviction will irreparably impact, your ability to find employment or housing, and your reputation among friends, family, and neighbors. Hiring a Louisiana sex crimes defense attorney from the can help you effectively strategize your defense and increase your chances of obtaining the best legal outcome.

Definition of a Louisiana Sex Crime

The term sex crime can refer to a few different criminal acts, so this type of crime is not easy to define. In simple terms, a sex crime is any crime that involves sexual acts without the consent of the alleged victim. Under Louisiana State Law, you cannot obtain consent for sexual activity through force, or if the alleged victim is below the age of 17, mentally defective, incapacitated, or physically helpless. Lack of knowledge of the victim’s age is not a defense, even if the person lied to you.

People who suffer from mental illnesses or defects that prevent them from understanding the sexual act cannot give consent to sexual activity. If someone is under the influence of an intoxicating substance like drugs or alcohol and cannot control the situation or say no, he or she cannot consent to sexual activity either. People also cannot give consent if they are underage minors (below 17 years old), unconscious, unable to say no to sexual activity due to physical disability, or otherwise unaware of the sexual act.

Louisiana recognizes several types of sex crimes, each with their own set of penalties

  • Sexual Battery
  • Child Molestation
  • Rape
  • Indecent Behavior
  • Computer Aided Solicitation
  • Carnal Knowledge
  • Prostitution
  • Obscenity
  • Sex Trafficking

Defenses Against Sex Crime Charges

Successful defense against sexual offense charges requires an attorney who can examine the evidence, find inconsistencies, and exploit weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Some common strategies when defending against sex crimes include:

  • Consent – Demonstrating that the alleged victim consented to sexual contact will show that the behavior in question did not constitute sexual assault.
  • Problems with evidence – Inconsistencies in eyewitness testimony to the alleged crime can be used to show that there is reasonable doubt that the crime occurred. If any DNA or forensic evidence exists, improper or unreliable testing procedures can call this evidence into question.
  • Illegally obtained evidence – If police officers violated Constitutional rights against illegal search and seizure (for example, by searching the contents of a computer without a search warrant), any evidence obtained will be inadmissible in court.
  • The accuser’s motives – If an alleged victim has an agenda for making accusations of sex crimes, such as gaining an advantage in a family law dispute, their motives can be called into question.

Additionally, when defending a client against sex crime charges, attorney Carpenter sometimes builds a defense by requiring a psychological evaluation of the client. Many times, this evaluation shows that the client doesn’t fit the sexual profile of the crime he or she is charged with. She will also often enlist the assistance of medical experts to review medical records as well as investigators to interview key witnesses.

What Are the Penalties for a New Orleans Sex Crime Conviction?

The state of Louisiana prosecutes sex crimes in a very harsh and serious manner. Depending on the circumstances and severity of your case, you may face jail time, fines, mandatory sex offender registration, and other criminal and administrative penalties. Additionally, you may also face damage to your reputation, relationships, and current living situation.

Contact: New Orleans Sex Crimes Attorney

If you are facing charges for a sex crime in the New Orleans area, attorney Elizabeth B. Carpenter can offer help. She has significant experience defending clients in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. Contact our firm today to schedule your consultation to discuss your legal options. Contact 504-599-5955