The criminal justice system provides the opportunity for individuals who have been accused of a crime to contest the accusations and defend themselves as they see fit. An individual suspected of having involvement in a sex crime may wish to determine whether entering a guilty plea or fighting the allegations may better suit the situation. Either way, parties have the opportunity to gain an understanding of their options by seeking experienced defense counsel to represent their interests at every stage of the proceedings.
One man recently entered a guilty plea relating to one case involving sexual assault. It was reported that the man had been a priest in Minnesota and had reportedly assaulted a 16-year-old girl. The girl purportedly stated that the man made her touch him and also kissed her. As a result, he was charged with criminal sexual conduct, to which he recently pleaded guilty.
In another situation, another young girl claimed that she was also assaulted by the man. That individual stated that the priest forced her to perform oral sex and touched her inappropriately when she was 14 years old. The man is also facing charges in relation to this situation, and they are still pending.
Though the man chose to plead guilty in one case, he may choose a different route concerning the other allegations. Sentencing for a sex crime conviction in Minnesota could lead to considerable consequences, both in terms of the court’s sentence and the man’s personal and professional standing. Nonetheless, he has the right to explore his options alongside his defense counsel and determine what course of action may be best for him as the remaining case moves forward in the criminal justice system.
Source: duluthnewstribune.com, “Priest pleads guilty to sexual assault of a minor in Minnesota”, Sarah Volpenhein, May 23, 2015