When a court convicts someone of a sex crime, they will enter a tier. The state has three tiers. Each tier is dependent on the likelihood that the person will commit another sex offense and bring harm to the community. In addition, the tier also determines if a person...
Sex Crimes
Are there laws to protect against false allegations of sex crimes?
Accusations — even false ones — can affect a person's reputation, relationships, residency situation and career. Overcoming public perception after a false allegation can take a lifetime. Fortunately, the justice system has mechanisms in place to help a person who...
Felony Sex Crimes in Maryland Defined
What is a sex crime? Sex crimes typically involve some form of sexual contact or sexual activity. The victim did not agree to engaging in the act in question. The perpetrator may have acted alone or with the assistance of other individuals. What is a felony sex crime?...
Registrable Child Sex Offenses in Maryland Explained
What is a registrable child sex offense? A registrable child sex offense is a crime that may necessitate a person’s information to be provided for the state sex offender database. Sentencing guidelines will typically determine whether or not an offender will be...
Registrable Adult Sexual Offenses in Maryland Defined
What is a registrable adult sexual offense? A registrable adult sexual offense is a sexual crime that occurred against a victim who was a legal adult at the time. There are many reasons why sexual offenses occur. The particular act may require the person who was found...
Sexual Stalking in Maryland Defined
What is sexual stalking? Stalking is defined as approaching or following an individual on a repeated basis with the intention of putting that person in fear of assault or bodily injury. A sexual stalker may attempt to engage or threaten unwanted sexual contact or...
Fourth Degree Sexual Offenses in Maryland: FAQs
What is a sexual offense? A sexual offense is a form of sexual contact or other sexual activity that is performed without the other party’s consent. The activity may be illegal if it was conducted with someone who was under the age of legal consent (which is age 16 in...
A Guide To Third Degree Sexual Offenses in Maryland
What is a sex offense? A sex offense is a sexual act or sexual contact that was performed between two or more people. The activity must have been non-consensual. If the act was performed with a minor, it may be illegal. A person is viewed as an adult in Maryland once...
Second Degree Sexual Offenses in Maryland Defined
What is a sex offense? Sex offenses are broadly defined as inappropriate sexual contact with someone who does not consent to such acts. Child molestation or sexual abuse, rape, incest, lewd and lascivious acts, taking a child with the intent of prostitution and sexual...
Child Pornography Creation & Distribution in Maryland: Everything You Need To Know
What is child pornography? Child pornography refers to any material that depicts a minor engaged in sexual activity. It could be a magazine, book, text description, photograph or video. The minor in question must not have provided consent to participate in such acts....