Attorneys Sutton and Wright Obtain Not Guilty Verdict in Sexual Assault Case
Attorneys J. Mark Sutton and Bradley Wright recently won a case in Jefferson County in which a man was facing various criminal charges.
In September of 2018, our client was alleged to have been involved in an incident with a female. Because of the claims made against our client, he was charged with second-degree sexual assault, first-degree sexual abuse, and domestic battery.
Potential Conviction Penalties for Charges
Under West Virginia law, second-degree sexual assault occurs when a person engages in sexual conduct with someone else without their consent. A conviction for this felony offense could result in a prison sentence of between 10 and 25 years and/or a fine between $1,000 and $10,000.
First-degree sexual abuse is also a felony. The offense is defined as subjecting someone to unwanted sexual contact, which includes, but is not limited to, touching the individual's breasts, buttocks, or sex organs. A conviction carries with it between 1 and 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
In West Virginia, domestic battery occurs when a person physically contacts a member of their family or household in an insulting or provoking manner or touches them in a way that causes physical injury. A person convicted of this offense could spend up to 12 months in jail and/or be fined up to $500.
Obtaining a Not Guilty Verdict
Recognizing the seriousness of our client's charges and the potentially life-changing effects of a conviction, Attorneys Sutton and Wright developed a solid legal strategy to fight the accusations. The case was heard by a 12-person jury, which returned not guilty verdicts for the second-degree sexual assault and domestic battery charges. The jury did not make a decision on the sexual abuse charge, as it was not given to them to consider.
Reach Out to Sutton & Janelle, PLLC Today
If you've been charged with a crime in Berkeley County, contact our team as soon as possible. We will be committed to providing focused and aggressive legal representation to challenge the allegations made against you.
Get started on your case by calling us at (304) 867-0049 or contacting us online.