This is the next post in my series on the handling of rape or sexual assault charges in Peoria, Illinois. My last article discussed what to expect when taking a sexual assault charge to trial. It is important to understand that the rules of evidence will be strictly enforced at any trial and that you should retain an experienced criminal defense attorney to assist you. In this article I will discuss another important topic – what to expect in the event of a conviction. If you or a loved one have been arrested then contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.
I have previously discussed Illinois’ penalties for rape or sexual assault. As I discussed in that article, a defendant will serve mandatory time if they are convicted. Once they are released on parole then they will face several requirements. First, these include the requirements that are imposed upon all parolees, such as the need to check in with an officer, the need to perform community service, the requirement to be employed, etc. Additionally, those who are convicted of sexual assault will be required to register as a sex offender. Failure to register can serve as grounds to revoke one’s parole and may even result in fresh criminal charges. It is important to understand that a convicted person’s registration will be visible to the public through accessible databases.
The rights of a parolee are different from those of an everyday citizen. A supervising parole officer will typically have the right to enter the parolee’s house at any time and for any reason. If they find evidence of any criminal activity, such as guns, drugs, or illegal items, then the parolee will likely be taken into custody and face revocation proceedings. Moreover, a parolee does not have to be charged with a new offense in order to have their supervision revoked. Simply failing to meet a requirement, such as the need to check in, can result in a revocation.
As the foregoing discussion shows, serving time and subsequent parole can be incredibly difficult. If you or a loved one have been arrested for rape or sexual assault then you need to mount a quality defense against the charges so that you may potentially avoid such consequences. I am a former prosecutor who believes that everyone is entitled to a vigorous defense. Call today to speak with a Peoria lawyer. I also service the cities of Bloomington, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington. I also serve the counties of Fulton, Knox, LaSalle, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford.