Massachusetts Legal Developments Blog

Four Critical Things to do When Fighting Rape Charges

A Northborough man in his 60s who taught high school and college currently faces both sex trafficking and rape charges after turning himself in to law enforcement. This development is the result of a two-year trafficking investigation by state police. During the investigation, various women were targeted, manipulated, and exploited by the teacher.  

Rather than providing financial support to these women, the teacher required these women to perform sexual acts with him. Additionally, a search of the teacher’s home revealed several marijuana plants and restraints used to bind victims. 

Currently, the man is being held on a $15,000 bail and has been ordered to forfeit his passport and pilot’s license. The man was also ordered to not leave his residence except for legal or medical appointments. 

If you are charged with rape or any similar offense in Massachusetts, it can help greatly to follow some important strategies to avoid jeopardizing the outcome of your case.

Avoid Offering Information to Law Enforcement

Many people think that cooperating with law enforcement means going above and beyond every request that law enforcement makes. This, however, does not make things easier for the person accused of the offense. Instead, if law enforcement questions you, the best idea is to exercise your right to remain silent.  

If you are subject to any form of police questioning, you should make sure that you remain silent if your attorney is not present. While it might not be exactly what law enforcement wants, remaining silent during this time is much better than making a mistake that could jeopardize the outcome of your case.

Avoid Speaking to the Press

Many sex crimes receive a great deal of publicity. Speaking to the media, however, will only endanger the outcome of your case. This is because the media tends to present stories in favor of the victim. As a result, you should be aware that anything you say could be taken out of context and eventually used against you.

Gather Supporting Information From Witnesses

There is a large amount of evidence collected during the trial of sex crimes. You should take the opportunity to locate and speak to any witnesses who might be able to support your side. In some situations, witnesses can even establish that you were somewhere else at the time the offense occurred and could not possibly have been the person who committed the crime. This is referred to as an alibi. 

Collect Other Supporting Evidence

Besides gathering eyewitness testimony, you should also collect other evidence supporting your defense. This evidence can include text messages, video surveillance footage, receipts, or voicemail. The strongest evidence shows that either someone else committed the offense or that you were not at the scene at the time of the offense. 

Contact a Skilled Massachusetts Criminal Defense Attorney

Being charged with a sexual offense can result in serious consequences including large fines and jail time. If you need the assistance of a skilled criminal defense attorney during this difficult time, do not hesitate to contact attorney Edward R. Molari.