Statutory Rape Attorney in Las Vegas

The serious criminal offense of “statutory sexual seduction” is set out in NRS 200.368. This crime is often called “statutory rape” in other jurisdictions. This crime alleges that consensual sexual contact occurred between an adult and an underage person. In a case like this, you need a statutory rape attorney in Las Vegas

The sexual contact can include sexual intercourse, anal intercourse, cunnilingus or fellatio. It can be charged as either a category C felony in Nevada or a gross misdemeanor depending on the age of the child involved. The courts have held that a mistaken belief that the adolescent is actually 16 years of age or older is not a defense.

Las Vegas Statutory Sexual Seduction Lawyer

If you were charged with Statutory Sexual Seduction Defense in Las Vegas, Clark County, or the surrounding areas in the State of Nevada, call Michael Periente with Pariente Law Firm, P.C. Never talk with any law enforcement officer about the allegations until after you have secured the services of an aggressive criminal defense attorney dedicated to protecting your rights.

Call today at (702) 966-5310 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our statutory rape attorney in Las Vegas. Pariente Law Firm, P.C. represents clients throughout the Las Vegas area, including in Henderson and Paradise.

Overview of Statutory Sexual Seduction Charges

• Statutory Sexual Seduction under NRS 200.368
• Penalties for Statutory Sexual Seduction
• Lewdness with a Child under 14 years old
• Additional Resources on Statutory Rape under Nevada Law

Statutory Sexual Seduction under NRS 200.368

The term “statutory sexual seduction” is defined as one of the following acts: “ordinary sexual intercourse, anal intercourse, cunnilingus or fellatio committed by a person 18 years of age or older with a person under the age of 16 years”; or

“any other sexual penetration committed by a person of age 18 or older with a person under the age of 16 years with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust or passions or sexual desires of either person.”

In many cases, allegations arise after an investigation by law enforcement in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, or another Clark County agency, and the person accused may not fully understand how quickly these cases can move once a report is made. Questions often come up about whether text messages, social media communications, or prior relationships matter under Nevada law, and a statutory rape attorney Las Vegas can help you understand how those facts may affect how prosecutors view the case and what defenses might be available in court.

Penalties for Statutory Sexual Seduction

If the person accused is over 21 and committed statutory sexual seduction with a person under the age of 16, then the crime can be charged as a category C felony as provided in NRS 200.368. A category C felony carries 1–5 years in the state prison with a fine not to exceed $10,000. Probation is available pursuant to NRS 193.130.

If the person accused is under 21 but over 18 and is accused of committing statutory sexual seduction, then the crime is charged as a gross misdemeanor under NRS 200.368.

A person who commits lewdness with a person under the age of 14 could spend a minimum of 10 years in prison. Conduct constituting lewdness is conduct that is substantially less than sexual intercourse in the ordinary meaning. NRS 201.230.

Individuals found guilty of statutory sexual seduction must register as a sex offender and face all the requirements associated with that registration.

Beyond prison time and fines, a conviction in Clark County District Court or another Nevada court can affect housing, employment, and professional licensing for years after the case is over. People often want to know whether they can avoid registration, whether a plea to a different charge is possible, or whether they will be able to remain in the Las Vegas area for work or family reasons, and a statutory rape attorney in Las Vegas can walk you through the range of potential outcomes so you can make informed decisions about how to proceed.

Lewdness with a Child under 14 years old

If the allegation involves a child under the age of 14 years old, then the offense is charged under NRS 201.230. This offense is often called “child molestation” in other jurisdictions.

A person who willfully and lewdly commits any lewd or lascivious act, other than a sexual assault with penetration, on a child under the age of 14 years old, with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust or passions or sexual desires of that person or of that child, is guilty of the crime of lewdness with a child under 14 years old. The crime is classified as a category A felony punishable by life in prison with the possibility of parole, after 10 years and a fine of not more than $10,000.

If the person has previously been convicted of any sexual crime against a child, then the crime is punishable by life without the possibility of parole.

Because these charges are handled very aggressively in Clark County, including at the Regional Justice Center in downtown Las Vegas, it is common for people under investigation to worry about whether they will be arrested, whether they will be held at the Clark County Detention Center, and how quickly they need legal representation. Understanding the difference between allegations under NRS 200.368 and NRS 201.230, and how each is treated by prosecutors and judges, is an important first step in planning a defense and preparing for the hearings that will follow.

Defending Statutory Sexual Seduction Charges in Las Vegas

When someone is accused of statutory sexual seduction in Las Vegas, the first concern is usually what can be done to challenge the allegations and protect their future. A defense often begins with a close review of police reports, recorded interviews, and digital evidence gathered by agencies that investigate sex crimes in Clark County. From there, the defense may involve raising questions about how the investigation was handled, whether statements were taken in compliance with Nevada law, and whether there are inconsistencies in the alleged victim’s account. This process is especially important in cases filed in busy courts such as Las Vegas Justice Court, where early decisions about bail and charging can shape the rest of the case.

Defending these charges can also include a detailed look at issues such as the ages of the people involved, how and where they met, and whether some witnesses or records cast doubt on the prosecution’s version of events. In some situations, there may be evidence to challenge identification, to dispute the timing of the alleged conduct, or to argue that the facts do not meet the specific elements of NRS 200.368. A statutory rape lawyer in Las Vegas can also help you understand whether to pursue negotiations, file pretrial motions, or prepare for a jury trial in Clark County District Court, based on the strength of the state’s evidence and your own goals for resolving the case.

Additional Resources on Statutory Rape under Nevada Law

Nevada’s Statutory Sexual Seduction – Information on charges for statutory sexual seduction or lewdness with a child under 14 years old from the Sexual Assault Response Advocates (S.A.R.A). SARA has a 24 hour crisis line for the victims of rape, sexual assaults, and other sexually motivated crimes committed in Las Vegas, Nevada, and throughout Clark County. SARA also helps the victims of sex crimes apply for funds through the Victims of Crime Program (a service provided by the State of Nevada) and other funds from the county in which the offense occurred.

Now That You Are 18 – A survival guide about sex and the law for young people who turned 18 years old. Advice on the consequences of sexually motivated crimes such as sexual assault and battery, date rape drugs, and charges for statutory rape.

Finding a Defense Attorney for Statutory Sexual Seduction in Las Vegas

If you were charged with a sexually motivated crime such as statutory rape in Las Vegas, Nevada, then contact an experienced statutory rape attorney in Las Vegas at Pariente Law Firm, P.C. Michael Periente represents clients charged with sex crimes such as sexual assault, and open or gross lewdness.

People who contact a lawyer for these allegations often want to know what will happen at the first appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court or another local court, whether the case will be filed as a felony, and how their side of the story will be presented. Meeting early with a defense team that regularly handles these matters in Clark County allows you to review the police reports, discuss potential witnesses, and plan for issues such as bail, no-contact orders, and employment concerns before the case moves further into the court system.

Never speak to any law enforcement officer about the allegations until after you have obtained legal advice from a criminal defense lawyer. Call us today to discuss your case in Clark County, Nevada or the surrounding areas.

Call us at (702) 966-5310 to schedule a consultation with our statutory rape lawyer in Las Vegas.