{"id":373884,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-03-23T16:45:22","modified_gmt":"2018-03-23T21:45:22","slug":"maryland-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Rape and Sexual Assault Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Maryland Rape and Sexual Assault Laws<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    <p><i>Created by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw&#8217;s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            March 23, 2018\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>Maryland criminalizes both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/rape.html\" adhocenable=\"false\">rape<\/a> and \u201csexual offenses\u201d, which some states call <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/sexual-assault-overview.html\" adhocenable=\"false\">sexual assault<\/a>. Rape has two degrees or levels of offenses, while sexual offenses are divided into four degrees of offensive sexual activity. In general, criminal penalties in Maryland vary by degree based on \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/aggravating-circumstance.html\" adhocenable=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">aggravating<\/a>\u201d factors (showing maliciousness and increasing guilt and punishment). Some of the aggravating factors are using force or violence, displaying weapons to a victim, or if the victim is particularly young or elderly.<\/p>\n<p>The following table outlines Maryland\u2019s rape and sexual assault laws.<\/p>\n<table width=\"741\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" border=\"1\">\n<tbody><tr><td width=\"168\" valign=\"top\"><b>Code Sections<\/b><\/td>\n<td width=\"571\" valign=\"top\"><p>Maryland Criminal Law Article, Sections:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>3-303: <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/md\/criminal-law\/md-code-crim-law-sect-3-303.html\" adhocenable=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rape in the First Degree<\/a> and 3-309 for attempted<\/li>\n<li>3-304: <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/md\/criminal-law\/md-code-crim-law-sect-3-304.html\" adhocenable=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rape in the Second Degree<\/a> and 3-310 for attempted<\/li>\n<li>3-305: <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/md\/criminal-law\/md-code-crim-law-sect-3-305.html\" adhocenable=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sexual Offense in the First Degree<\/a> and 3-311 for attempted<\/li>\n<li>3-306: <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/md\/criminal-law\/md-code-crim-law-sect-3-306.html\" adhocenable=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sexual Offense in the Second Degree<\/a> and 3-312 for attempted<\/li>\n<li>3-307: <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/md\/criminal-law\/md-code-crim-law-sect-3-307.html\" adhocenable=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sexual Offense in the Third Degree<\/a><\/li>\n<li>3-308: <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/md\/criminal-law\/md-code-crim-law-sect-3-308.html\" target=\"_blank\" adhocenable=\"false\" rel=\"noopener\">Sexual Offense in the Fourth Degree<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr><tr><td width=\"168\" valign=\"top\"><b>What\u2019s Prohibited?<\/b><\/td>\n<td width=\"571\" valign=\"top\"><p>The various forms of sexual assault that are prohibited in Maryland include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Rape<\/b><ul>\n<li><u>First Degree<\/u> \u2013 engaging in sexual intercourse with another without his or her consent by force, using weapons, strangling or inflicting serious physical injury, threatening with death, serious injury, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/kidnapping.html\" adhocenable=\"false\">kidnapping<\/a>, or committed with another\u2019s help or during a burglary<\/li>\n<li><u>Second Degree<\/u> \u2013 engaging in vaginal intercourse with another 1) without his or her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/sexual-assault-defenses.html\" adhocenable=\"false\">consent<\/a> by force or threat, 2) with a mentally or physically incapacitated person (includes drunk, high, or unconscious) when the defendant knows of his or her condition, or 3) the victim is under 14 years old and the defendant is at least 4 years older than the victim<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Sexual Offense<\/b><ul>\n<li><u>First Degree<\/u> \u2013 engaging in a sexual act (oral or anal sex, or any object or part of one\u2019s body penetrates the genitals or anus for sexual gratification, but not vaginal intercourse \u2013 that\u2019s above in rape) by force, threat, or without consent while displaying a weapon, suffocating or physically injuring the victim, or threatening the victim with death, disfigurement, or serious physical injury, or committed with another\u2019s help or during a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/burglary-overview.html\" adhocenable=\"false\">burglary<\/a><\/li>\n<li><u>Second Degree<\/u> \u2013 engaging in a sexual act with another by 1) force or without his or her consent, 2) with a mentally or physically incapacitated person (includes drunk, high, or unconscious) when the defendant should know of his or her condition, or 3) the victim is under 14 and the defendant is at least 4 years older than the victim<\/li>\n<li><u>Third Degree<\/u> \u2013 includes any of the following:<ul>\n<li>engaging in sexual contact (intentionally touching the victim\u2019s or defendant\u2019s genital, anal, or other private parts for sexual gratification or abuse of either person) in any of the following situations:<ul>\n<li>Without consent while using a weapon, strangling or seriously injuring the victim, threatening the victim with death, serious injury, or kidnapping, or committed with another\u2019s help OR<\/li>\n<li>The victim is mentally or physically incapacitated (drunk or unconscious for example) and the defendant knows of his or her condition<\/li>\n<li>The victim is under 14 years old and the defendant is at least 4 years older<\/li>\n<li>Engaging in a sexual act (i.e. oral or anal sex) or vaginal sex with a 14 or 15 year old victim by a 21 year old or older defendant, AKA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/statutory-rape.html\" adhocenable=\"false\">statutory rape<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><u>Fourth Degree<\/u> \u2013 any of the following:<ul>\n<li>Engaging in sexual contact without the other\u2019s consent<\/li>\n<li>Engaging in a sexual act or vaginal sex with a 14 or 15 year old when the defendant is at least 4 years older<\/li>\n<li>Engaging in a sexual act, sexual contact, or vaginal sex with a child under 18 who at the time of the sexual activity was a student enrolled in a school where the person was in a position of authority (i.e. a principal, coach, teacher, or counselor who\u2019s at least 21 years old, employed by the school, and was in a supervisory position over the student)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr><tr><td width=\"168\" valign=\"top\"><b>Penalties<\/b><\/td>\n<td width=\"571\" valign=\"top\"><p>In Maryland, most statutes provide both the crime and the applicable penalty. The penalties for the crimes listed above are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Rape<\/b><ul>\n<li><u>First Degree<\/u> \u2013 Generally, life imprisonment is the maximum sentence for this crime or <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/md\/criminal-law\/md-code-crim-law-sect-3-309.html\" adhocenable=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">attempt of this crime<\/a>. However, if a person commits the rape on a kidnapped child under 16, had a prior conviction for first-degree rape or sexual offense, or raped a child under 13 while over 18 years old then life imprisonment without the possibility of parole is the maximum sentence available.<ul>\n<li><i>Note: There\u2019s a 25-year mandatory minimum prison sentence if the rape was by a person over 18 of a child under 13. The court can\u2019t suspend any part of those 25 years neither is the person eligible for parole.<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><u>Second Degree<\/u> \u2013 Generally, the penalty by up to 20 years in prison, including for <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/md\/criminal-law\/md-code-crim-law-sect-3-310.html\" adhocenable=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">attempted second-degree rape<\/a>. However, if a person 18 years or older rapes a child under 13 the minimum prison term is 15 years and maximum is life in prison.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Sexual Offense<\/b><ul>\n<li><u>First Degree<\/u> \u2013 Usually this crime or <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/md\/criminal-law\/md-code-crim-law-sect-3-311.html\" adhocenable=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">attempt of this crime<\/a> is subject to life imprisonment. However, if a person was previously convicted of first-degree rape or sexual offense, commits the rape on a kidnapped child under 16, or the defendant is over 18 and the victim was under 13, then life imprisonment without the possibility of parole is the maximum sentence.<ul>\n<li><i>Note: The same 25-year mandatory minimum prison sentence applies here if the defendant was over 18 and the victim was a child under 13. None of the 25 years can be suspended by the court, nor is the person eligible for parole.<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><u>Second Degree<\/u> \u2013 Usually, the punishment is a maximum of 20 years in prison, including for <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/md\/criminal-law\/md-code-crim-law-sect-3-312.html\" target=\"_blank\" adhocenable=\"false\" rel=\"noopener\">attempt<\/a>. However, if a person 18 years or older sexual assaults a child under 13 the minimum prison term is 15 years and maximum is life in prison.<\/li>\n<li><u>Third Degree<\/u> \u2013 A felony with a sentence not more than 10 years in prison<\/li>\n<li><u>Fourth Degree<\/u> \u2013 Typically, this crime is a misdemeanor punished by not more than one-year imprisonment and a fine not more than $1,000. However, if a person previously committed a sex crime, the punishment is increased to 3 years in prison and a fine up to $1,000.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In addition, conviction of any of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.dpscs.state.md.us\/onlineservs\/sor\/sor_crimes_article.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">these sex crimes<\/a> will require you to register as a sex offender in Maryland from 15 years to lifetime registration, depending on the crime. Being on the sex offender registry will greatly impact where you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/residency-restrictions-for-sex-offenders.html\" adhocenable=\"false\">live<\/a> and work.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<p><b><i>Note:<\/i><\/b> <i>State laws change constantly, it\u2019s important to verify the laws you&#8217;re researching by conducting your own legal research or contacting a qualified Maryland sex crimes attorney.<\/i><\/p>\n<h2>Research the Law<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law.html\" adhocenable=\"false\">Maryland Law<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/state-codes.html\" adhocenable=\"false\">Official State Codes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Maryland Rape and Sexual Assault Law Related Resources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/the-sex-offender-registry-what-you-need-to-know.html\" adhocenable=\"false\">The Sex Offender Registry: What You Need to Know<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-protective-orders-laws.html\" adhocenable=\"false\">Maryland Protection Order Laws<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Charged Under Maryland Rape and Sexual Assault Laws? Get Legal Help<\/h2>\n<p>Sex crimes are some of the most serious on the books. They can also be some of the most difficult to prove, depending on the specific facts of your case. If you&#8217;re being investigated for a sex crime, or have already been charged, you should know the law, know the facts, know your rights. The best way to be informed and prepared to defend yourself is to speak with an experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/sex-crime\/maryland\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sex crime attorney<\/a> in Maryland as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Complex cases usually require a lawyer\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Experienced lawyers can seek to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Sexual assaults &#038; sex crime convictions often have long sentences and lifelong consequences\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many attorneys offer free consultations.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/sex-crime\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum\" title=\"Sexual Assault Defense Lawyer Directory\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">If you need an attorney, find one right now.<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                src=\"https://www.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1745902396\/ability-law\/wp-prod\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1.png?_i=AA\"\n                alt=\"\"\n                loading=\"lazy\"\n            \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-content fl-flex fl-flex-wrap\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-text fl-mb25\">\n            <h4 class=\"fl-no-margin\">Enter your email address to subscribe<\/h4>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <form class=\"email-subscription-content-form\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distributionList\" value=\"latl\" \/>\n            <label for=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" class=\"fl-text-sm-bold\">Email (Required)<\/label>\n            <div class=\"email-subscription-content-form-group\">\n                <input id=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" name=\"email\" autocomplete=\"email\"\/>\n                <button type=\"submit\" aria-label=\"Submit\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-success subscribe-success-message fl-text-sm-bold\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"status\">Thank you for subscribing!<\/p>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-error subscribe-error-message fl-text-sm-bold\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n\n            <div id=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha\" class=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha subscribe-recaptcha\"\n                data-sitekey=\"0x4AAAAAAABGBEkK9kEeKxO-\"><\/div>\n        <\/form>\n\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-footer fl-text-sm\">\n            <p><a href=\"https:\/\/newsletters.findlaw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>Helpful Links<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state.html\">\n                        Find Your State&#8217;s Laws\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/all-topics.html\">\n                        View All State Law Topics\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/statutes-of-limitations.html\">\n                        State Statutes of Limitations\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                        <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"popularDirectory\">\n        <div class=\"general-popular-directory \">\n            <div class=\"general-popular-directory-title\">\n                <h3>Popular Directory Searches<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <ul>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/sex-crime\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sex Offenses Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/domestic-violence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Domestic Violence Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/drug-crime\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drug Crime Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Criminal Defense Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/personal-injury-plaintiff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Personal Injury Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/premises-liability-plaintiff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Premises Liability Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/sexual-abuse-plaintiff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sexual Abuse Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here is an overview of Maryland&#8217;s rape and sexual assault laws, including potential penalties. and more detailed information for you. Learn more at FindLaw.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":373789,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2743],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[3030],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-373884","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-state","state_laws_tags-statelaws_21_1"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/373884","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=373884"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/373884\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/373789"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=373884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=373884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=373884"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=373884"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=373884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}