Utah Rape Laws
Under Utah Criminal Code Section 76-5-402, rape occurs when an individual has sexual intercourse with another individual without that person’s consent. Rape laws apply equally to everyone. Even a married person needs consent to having sex with their spouse. The crime of rape is a felony, with a potential sentence of not less than five years in prison, and up to life in prison, depending on the victim’s age and other facts associated with the case.
According to Utah’s Indicator Based Information System, rape is a serious public health problem in the state, affecting one in six women and one in 25 men over the course of a lifetime. Nearly one in three women will experience some form of sexual violence during their lifetime. In the state of Utah, rape is the only violent crime that is higher than the national average.
If you’ve been charged with rape, you must take the charges very seriously. Your best course of action is to speak to a knowledgeable Sandy rape defense lawyer from Conyers & Nix as quickly as possible.
Why Choose a Sandy Rape Defense Lawyer from Conyers & Nix?
When you have the legal team of Kate Conyers and Jesse Nix to help you defend your rape charges, the entire experience becomes exponentially less frightening—and the outcome becomes much better. Both Kate and Jesse began their legal careers in the public defender’s office. They have spent considerably more time in a courtroom, have more facetime with judges, juries, and prosecutors, and have handled both more cases and a larger variety of cases than most lawyers.
At Conyers & Nix, we understand how frightening it can be to be facing such serious charges. We are well-known for fighting for our clients—no matter what. We have helped thousands of clients, dealing with cases that have unique facts, strategies, and outcomes. Throughout our journey together, we will always treat you with dignity and respect. You are able to participate in your case as much—or as little—as you’d like. We are here to help you get your life back on track.
About Sandy
Sandy is a fast-growing city with a population of about 96,000, located about 13 miles from Salt Lake City. While Sandy began as a largely agricultural town, mining and the railway changed the quiet little farm town into a booming area beginning in the late 1800s.
When the mining industry waned, many residents of Sandy returned to farming. In the 1970s, annexation issues were at the forefront in Salt Lake County. Sandy vied for control over its land and resources, becoming a collection of small local communities with a largely young, family-oriented population.
While Sandy seemed to be an extension of Salt Lake City, by the 1980s city officials were working to create a vision for Sandy’s future and a community with an identity of its own. Sandy’s primary employers are Alta View Hospital, Economy Builders Supply, Jordan School District, Sandy City, Shopko, and Wasatch Building Products.
What is the Difference Between a Rape Charge and a Statutory Rape Charge?
The difference between rape and statutory rape is the age of the alleged victim. Rape involves sexual intercourse with a person who is old enough to consent, but who did not actually consent. Statutory rape involves sexual intercourse with a person who cannot legally consent to sex because they are below the age of consent.
In Utah, statutory rape includes unlawful sexual conduct with a 16-or 17-year-old and applies in consensual sex cases in which the perpetrator is 7-10 years older than the minor. Even if the minor lied about their age, the older person is expected to know that the minor is actually a minor. Statutory rape is a class A misdemeanor and is not subject to sex offender registry for a first offense if the offender was younger than 21 at the time. Utah has a marital exemption for statutory rape which allows married people to have consensual sex, even if the sex would have been prohibited if they were not married.
Is There a Statute of Limitation for Rape Charges?
Statutes of limitation govern the window of time a criminal offense can be prosecuted. Each state sets its own statutes, so they can vary widely from one state to another. In the state of Utah, forcible sexual abuse (touching protected body areas) must be prosecuted within eight years of the offense. Rape and Aggravated Sexual Assault have no statutes of limitation, meaning they can be prosecuted at any time. Should you find yourself being charged with rape, it is essential that you contact a highly skilled Sandy rape defense lawyer as quickly as possible.
How an Experienced Sandy Rape Defense Lawyer from Conyers & Nix Can Help
If you’ve been accused of rape, you need serious legal help and you need it quickly. The sooner your attorney is on your case, the more likely you are to have a better outcome. Even if you think you might be charged, it is extremely beneficial to call the legal team of Kate Conyers and Jesse Nix.
We will immediately begin investigating the charges or potential charges against you, looking at every angle to determine the very best defense for your situation. We have been helping people charged with rape for many years with many positive results. We understand that you are anxious about your future. We are ready to alleviate some of that anxiety as we advocate fiercely for your future. Contact Conyers & Nix today.