Swift, non-judgemental advice and representation for sexual offences
Being charged with a sexual offence is a devastating experience, while a conviction can change the course of your whole life. Having specialist legal representation is vital for your defence, which is where our sexual offence solicitors in Swansea, Pontypridd and Talbot Green can help.
At David W Harris & Co., we know how tough dealing with these types of charges can be. You can rest assured that we will listen to you without judgment and then offer clear, realistic advice on your situation and defence options. In the past, we have helped clients to avoid charges, had charges dropped, won not-guilty verdicts in court and, where conviction was unavoidable, secured the minimum possible penalties.
If you or a loved one have been arrested or charged with a sexual offence, please get it touch with our expert team to see how we can help.
Sexual offence solicitors’ emergency contact numbers
For our Swansea 24/7 service, please call 07496 697906.
For our Rhondda Cynon Taff 24/7 service, please call 07572 746303.
Our sexual offence lawyers’ expertise includes:
- Indecent exposure
- Sexual harassment
- Causing sexual activity without consent
- Sexual assault
- Rape
- Indecent images offences
- Obscene publication offences
- Revenge porn
- Child sexual offences
Why choose David W Harris’s sex crime lawyers for your defence?
Extensive experience with sexual offence cases
Across our team, we have decades of experience advising and representing clients about sexual crimes. As such, we have the knowledge and skills to ensure the best defence no matter how difficult your circumstances.
Empathetic, non-judgmental support
Sexual offence charges are particularly sensitive, so we want to emphasise that we will treat you with respect and without judgement. No matter what has happened, we believe everyone deserves a robust legal defence.
Clear advice in your language
Your legal position and defence options will be explained to you in plain English or Welsh (depending on your language preference). You can then decide how to respond to a charge with full confidence.
Transparent pricing
Our fees and any other potential costs will be explained at the outset. We will also explain to what extent legal aid may be available to help with funding your defence against sexual offence allegations.
Consult our sexual offence solicitors in Swansea, Pontypridd or Talbot Green
For non-emergency support, you can contact your local David W Harris office in Pontypridd, Swansea or Talbot Green.
Alternatively, please use our simple online enquiry form to book a free initial chat with one of our sexual offence lawyers in South Wales. We respond promptly to all enquiries.
For 24/7 emergency support from our sexual offence defence lawyers, please call 07496 697906 for Swansea or 07572 746303 Rhondda Cynon Taff.
Common questions about sexual offence cases
What is a sexual offence?
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 defines various types of sexual offences. These fall into various categories including non-consensual sexual activity, sexual activity involving children, sexual exploitation, prostitution-related offences and pornography-related offences.
Examples of offences related to non-consensual sexual activity include sexual assault, assault by penetration and rape.
Offences related to sexual activity involving children include grooming and child sexual abuse.
Sexual exploitation offences include forced prostitution, human trafficking for sexual purposes and modern slavery involving forced sexual activity.
Prostitution-related offences include soliciting and inciting or controlling prostitution for gain.
Offences involving pornography include possession of extreme pornography, disclosing sexual images without consent (often called ‘revenge porn’) and offences related to indecent images of children.
Is sexual assault an indictable offence or an either-way offence?
Under English law, there are three classes of criminal offences – indictable offences, summary offences and either-way offences.
An indictable offence is so serious that it can only be dealt with in Crown Court, rather than a magistrates’ court.
A summary offence is less serious and therefore will be dealt with at magistrates’ court. Summary offences have a maximum sentence of six months in prison and/or a £5,000 fine.
An either-way offence could either be heard in a magistrates’ court or Crown Court, depending on the particulars of the case.
Sexual assault is an either-way offence for touching only. This is because, at the lower end of the offence range, a magistrates’ court can hear the case while at the higher end, only a Crown Court can hear the case. A number of penetrative offences, including rape, are indictable only.
If you have been accused of sexual assault, our sexual assault solicitors can advise and represent you. Wherever possible, we will seek to avoid charges or have charges dropped at an early stage. However, if a prosecution cannot be avoided, we will seek to have your case heard in magistrates’ court to limit any potential penalties.
Is indecent exposure a criminal offence?
Indecent exposure is a criminal offence, more properly called simply ‘exposure’. The offence involves a person intentionally exposing their genitals with the intention that someone else will see them and that this will cause the person alarm or distress.
The maximum possible penalty for exposure is a 2-year prison sentence and/or a fine.
Is sexual harassment a crime?
Whether sexual harassment is a crime or not will depend on the situation. If the harassment involves stalking, indecent exposure, upskirting or any physical contact, then it would be a crime.
If you are concerned about a possible sexual harassment charge, our sex crime solicitors can offer fast, effective support.
Sexual harassment at work might be considered discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. While this is not a criminal offence, it could have serious consequences for the career and personal life of someone accused. If you have been accused of sexual harassment at work, it may be a good idea to consult an employment lawyer.
Who has to sign the sexual offence register?
Anyone cautioned or convicted of a sexual offence could be placed on the Sex Offenders Register (sometimes referred to as the ‘sex offence register’). Anyone released from prison following a sentence for a sexual offence will also be placed on the Register.
Anyone on the Sex Offenders Register must register with their local police in person within three days of being cautioned, convicted or released from prison. They will need to provide the police with their personal information, including their name and address.
Consult our sexual offence solicitors in Swansea, Pontypridd or Talbot Green
For non-emergency support, you can contact your local David W Harris office in Pontypridd, Swansea or Talbot Green.
Alternatively, please use our simple online enquiry form to book a free initial chat with one of our sexual offence lawyers in South Wales. We respond promptly to all enquiries.
For 24/7 emergency support from our sexual offence defence lawyers, please call 07496 697906 for Swansea or 07572 746303 Rhondda Cynon Taff.