Wilmington Unlawful Sexual Contact Defense Lawyer

Unlawful sexual contact is a serious criminal charge. You could go to jail or prison. You could be branded as a sex offender. You could be barred from many types of work. If you are convicted, your life and your reputation will never be the same.

I am a Wilmington unlawful sexual contact defense lawyer Michael Modica. During more than 40 years of practice in criminal law, I have defended many clients accused of sex offenses, including charges of unlawful sexual contact. My goals are to keep you out of jail and keep this off your record, and to minimize the punishment and future consequences.

What Constitutes Unlawful Sexual Contact?

Many clients accused of unlawful sexual contact are stunned to be arrested and charged with a sex crime. Even if the charges are unfounded or overblown, the allegations must be vigorously confronted.

• Unlawful sexual contact in the third degree is sexualized contact that is offensive, unwelcome or perpetrated without the person’s consent. It can include grabbing buttocks or breasts, touching someone’s genitals or grinding against the person, pulling the person’s clothing off or sexually touching someone who is intoxicated or mentally vulnerable. This is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Unlawful sexual contact in the second degree is sexual contact with a person under the age of 18, or causing the person to have sexual contact with a third party. This is a Class F felony.
• Unlawful sexual contact in the first degree is sexual contact with a child under the age of 13, or sexual contact involving bodily injury, use of a weapon or threat of a weapon. This is a Class D felony.

Charges of unlawful sexual contact may involve people of the same age (high school or college students) or an adult and underage person. Sometimes it arises out of machismo, horseplay or amorous overtures carried too far. Sometimes one or both parties are intoxicated. Sometimes the victim has not been truthful about his or her age.

I will raise every defense and mitigating factor to prevent this charge from ruining your life. I have been successful with arranging for independent psychological evaluations of clients to show that they pose no risk to the community. If necessary, I am an experienced courtroom lawyer who will fight the charges at trial to avoid a conviction and all the collateral consequences.

You Must Take This Seriously

There is too much at stake to simply hope this will go away or go to court without strong representation. For unlawful sexual contact defense in New Castle County, Delaware, call 302-600-1262 or contact me online to speak with a Wilmington unlawful sexual contact defense lawyer. I offer a free, confidential consultation.