{"id":352152,"date":"2023-12-07T15:25:56","date_gmt":"2023-12-07T20:25:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/sexual-assault-penalties-and-sentencing.html"},"modified":"2023-12-07T15:25:56","modified_gmt":"2023-12-07T20:25:56","slug":"sexual-assault-penalties-and-sentencing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/sexual-assault-penalties-and-sentencing.html","title":{"rendered":"Sexual Assault Sentencing and Penalties"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sexual Assault Sentencing and Penalties <\/h1>\n\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Just as every state has its own law concerning sexual assault, every state takes a different approach to sentencing those convicted of sexual assault. The federal courts also have their own set of sentencing rules.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What happens after a judge or jury finds someone guilty of sexual assault? As with every criminal offense, the case will proceed to sentencing<\/a>. Judges will look at several factors to determine an appropriate sentence. Criminal statutes will usually set a range of punishments for sex offenses. This may include a minimum and maximum prison term, fines, and other penalties.<\/p>\n

Judges also examine aggravating and mitigating factors when deciding the sentence for a sexual offense. Aggravating factors are those factors such as:<\/p>\n