Sexual Assault + Rape Defense Attorney for Towson Students
Accusations of rape, attempted rape, or related sex crimes are extremely serious. If you or your child was accused of rape, sexual assault, or other sex offenses at Towson University, the consequences can be severe. The student may be expelled or suspended from Towson, in addition to facing criminal penalties within the Maryland justice system. Depending on the offense, your son or daughter may even be forced to register as a sex offender for the rest of his or her life, destroying opportunities before they have even begun.
If your son or daughter was arrested on rape charges or related charges while attending Towson University, or if your child has been accused of sexual misconduct by another student, your family needs counsel from an experienced defense attorney for college students in Maryland. Randolph Rice, former Assistant State’s Attorney and founder of Rice, Murtha & Psoras, is dedicated to providing an exceptional caliber of legal representation, fighting strategically to uphold your child’s rights and protect their future at all stages of the criminal justice and University hearing processes. For a free, confidential legal consultation with Randolph Rice regarding rape charges at Towson or other sex crime charges against a college student, contact our law offices online, or call (410) 684-7291 today.
Is Sexual Assault a Felony or Misdemeanor in Maryland?
Each state uses different legal language to describe and define sexual offenses. For example, some states draw a distinction between the offenses of rape and sexual assault. In Maryland, there is no criminal offense known as “sexual assault.” Instead, sex crimes in Maryland are as follows:
- Rape in the first degree
- Rape in the second degree
- Attempted rape in the first degree
- Attempted rape in the second degree
- Sexual offense in the third degree
- Sexual offense in the fourth degree
Maryland’s criminal code also creates several other sexual offenses which are less commonly charged. Most of these offenses are classified as felonies, which are more serious than misdemeanors in terms of their criminal penalties and long-term consequences. For example, all rape and attempted rape charges are felonies in Maryland. Sexual offense in the third degree is a felony, while sexual offense in the fourth degree is a misdemeanor.
If your son or daughter has been charged with any of the offenses listed above, and is facing disciplinary action or court hearings, you need to consult an attorney fast. Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras online or by phone today to speak with an attorney free of charge.
Criminal Penalties for Rape and Other Sex Offenses in Maryland
As the section above discusses, some sex crimes are classified as felonies, while others are graded as misdemeanors. These distinctions are important because they directly impact the maximum criminal penalties that may be imposed on a defendant who is convicted. Maryland rape penalties and penalties for other sexual offenses are as follows:
- Rape in the First Degree
- Statute – Maryland Criminal Law Section 3-303
- Classification – Felony
- Sentence – 25 years to life without the possibility of parole, depending on the situation
- Rape in the Second Degree
- Statute – Maryland Criminal Law Section 3-304
- Classification – Felony
- Sentence – 15 years to life in prison, depending on the case
- Attempted Rape in the First Degree
- Statute – Maryland Criminal Law Section 3-309
- Classification – Felony
- Sentence – Maximum life sentence
- Attempted Rape in the Second Degree
- Statute – Maryland Criminal Law Section 3-310
- Classification – Felony
- Sentence – Maximum of 20 years in prison
- Sexual Offense in the Third Degree
- Statute – Maryland Criminal Law Section 3-307
- Classification – Felony
- Sentence – Maximum of 10 years in prison
- Sexual Offense in the Fourth Degree
- Statute – Maryland Criminal Law Section 3-308
- Classification – Misdemeanor
- Sentence – Maximum of one year in jail
- Fine – Maximum of $1,000
In addition to being sentenced and fined, the offender will face a heavy stigma for the rest of his or her life as a registered sex offender. Maryland law requires all individuals convicted of sex offenses to register, including people who have been convicted of third or fourth degree sexual offense, first or second degree rape, attempted first or second degree rape, and various other crimes, including possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, assault with intent to rape, murder with intent to rape, and sexual abuse of a minor.
Rape and Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer for College Students at Towson University
Being arrested for rape or other sexual offenses is an extremely serious legal matter that demands urgent attention from a highly experienced and competent trial attorney. If your son or daughter at Towson is under arrest for sex crimes in Maryland, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras immediately for a free legal consultation. You may contact us online, or by calling (410) 431-0911. We are available 24/7 to provide assistance to Towson students and their families.