Minnesota Sex Crimes & Criminal Sexual Conduct Defense
Sex offense accusations are life-changing. You need a defense lawyer who takes your side from day one.
Have You Been Falsely Accused of a Sex Crime?
You didn’t do it or at least not the way it’s being described. Maybe the encounter was consensual. Maybe the story has changed over time. Maybe the accusation is being used as leverage in a divorce or custody dispute. Whatever the circumstances, an accusation of sexual assault, criminal sexual conduct, or solicitation is devastating. The police are not on your side, and trying to “explain things” without a lawyer can make matters worse. At Davis Defense, we listen to your side first, investigate the facts, and build a defense that treats you as a person not a headline.
Types of Sex Offense Cases We Handle
Sex crime charges are complex and highly fact-specific. We defend clients facing allegations such as:
- Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Degree
- Sexual assault and rape allegations
- Statutory rape and age-based consent offenses
- Date rape and intoxication-related accusations
- Solicitation of a minor or electronic solicitation
- Possession, distribution, or production of child pornography
- Indecent exposure and lewd conduct
- Prostitution and solicitation of prostitution, including hotel and online stings
- Internet-based sex offenses and undercover operations
Degrees of Criminal Sexual Conduct in Minnesota
Minnesota’s Criminal Sexual Conduct statutes are broken down into five degrees, each with its own elements and potential penalties:
- Fifth-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct Often involves nonconsensual sexual contact or lewd exhibition of genitals, sometimes in the presence of a child. Still serious, but carries the lowest maximum jail time.
- Fourth-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct Typically involves sexual contact (not penetration) with an adult or minor under circumstances such as mental impairment, physical helplessness (including sleeping or unconscious), force or coercion, or a prohibited relationship (such as therapist, clergy, caregiver, or other position of authority).
- Third-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct Involves sexual penetration under circumstances similar to Fourth Degree, including force or coercion, mental impairment, physical helplessness, certain age differences with minors, or prohibited relationships.
- Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct Involves sexual contact where aggravating factors are present, such as use of a dangerous weapon, threats of imminent great bodily harm, force resulting in personal injury, or the presence of an accomplice.
- First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct The most serious charge, often involving sexual penetration with minors under certain ages, use of weapons, force or threats of serious harm, personal injury, or an accomplice. Penalties can reach up to 30 years in prison and very large fines.
Prostitution, Solicitation, and Sting Operations
Prostitution and solicitation charges often arise from undercover stings, hotel operations, online ads, or street-level enforcement. People caught in these operations frequently feel they were set up or entrapped. In Minnesota, prostitution-related penalties can escalate quickly based on age, location, and prior history. Cases can involve:
- Alleged patronizing or hiring someone for sexual services
- Online communication leading to in-person meetings
- Undercover officers posing as sex workers or clients
- Enhanced penalties when minors are involved
Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction
Sex offense convictions are among the most severe in Minnesota. Depending on the charge and degree, you may face:
- Long jail or prison sentences
- Heavy fines and restitution
- Predatory offender registration for at least 10 years, and sometimes life
- Strict probation terms and mandatory sex offender treatment
- Limitations on where you can live or work
- Loss of professional licenses and certain employment opportunities
- Damage to your reputation, relationships, and standing in the community
Defending Against Sex Crime Allegations
There are always at least two sides to the story. In sex crime cases, the details matter, including prior relationships, text messages, witnesses, physical evidence, and the timing and motivation of the accusation. Defense strategies may include:
- Challenging the credibility and consistency of the complaining witness
- Highlighting motives to lie, exaggerate, or misinterpret events
- Establishing consent in adult cases where the issue is not age but alleged force or coercion
- Questioning forensic evidence and the reliability of medical or digital evidence
- Exposing constitutional violations in how evidence was obtained or statements were taken
What to Do If You’re Under Investigation or Charged
In sex crime cases, early decisions can shape the entire outcome. If you suspect you are under investigation or have already been charged take these steps:
- Do not talk to police, child protection workers, or alleged victims about the accusations without a lawyer present. Politely assert your right to remain silent and to have an attorney.
- Contact a sex crimes defense lawyer immediately so you understand your rights before any interviews, lineups, or searches.
- Preserve evidence that could help your case text messages, emails, social media communications, photos, and names of potential witnesses.
- Follow any no-contact orders or release conditions exactly, even if you believe they are unfair. Violating them can make your situation much worse.
- Work closely with your attorney to prepare for each stage of the case from investigation and charging decisions to motions, negotiations, and, if necessary, trial.
Assault
Drug Crimes
DWI / DUI
Expungement
Implied Consent / Test Refusal
Probation Violation
Sex Offenses
Theft Crimes
Interference With a 911 Call
Traffic Offenses
Criminal Vehicular Homicide
Criminal Vehicular Operation
Gun Rights & Firearm Restoration
DANCO & OFP Violations
Domestic Assault
White Collar Crimes
Federal Crimes
Juvenile Crimes
Minnesota Sex Offense FAQ
What counts as a “sex crime” or criminal sexual conduct in Minnesota?
Sex offenses include a wide range of allegations: rape, sexual assault, criminal sexual conduct (1st–5th degree), child molestation, statutory rape, solicitation of a minor, indecent exposure, possession or distribution of child pornography, prostitution, and solicitation of prostitution. The exact charge depends on factors like age, alleged conduct, use of force, and relationship between the parties.
I was falsely accused. Do I really need a lawyer?
Yes. False allegations happen for many reasons revenge, custody disputes, misinterpretation of consensual encounters, or pressure on a complaining witness. Once an accusation is made, police and prosecutors move quickly. Anything you say on your own can be used against you. Having a lawyer early in the process is often the best way to protect yourself and correct the record.
What are the consequences if I’m convicted of a sex offense?
Penalties can include years or even decades in prison, large fines, long-term probation, and mandatory predatory offender registration often for 10 years or for life. You may also face sex offender treatment, restrictions on where you can live or work, and serious damage to your reputation and relationships.
What are the degrees of criminal sexual conduct?
Minnesota has five degrees of Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC). First Degree is the most serious and can involve sexual penetration with a minor or with an adult under circumstances like force, weapons, or severe injury. Fifth Degree is still serious, but carries the lowest maximum penalty. The degree charged depends on factors like age, whether the conduct was contact or penetration, use of force, alleged mental or physical helplessness, and any position of authority or significant relationship.
Do you handle prostitution and solicitation cases too?
Yes. We defend clients accused of prostitution, patronizing prostitutes, and related solicitation offenses, including hotel stings and online operations. These cases can involve entrapment issues, undercover operations, and heavy collateral consequences for employment and professional licenses.