Statutory Rape Results Matter.

Statutory Rape Attorney in Troy

Voted Troy’s Best Law Firm Since 2010. Former Prosecutors on Our Team.

A statutory rape allegation is one of the most serious criminal charges a person can face in Ohio. The consequences reach far beyond the courtroom. They can include mandatory sex offender registration, a damaged reputation, and lasting restrictions on where you can live and work. If you or someone you care about is under investigation or facing charges in Troy, Ohio, the time to act is now. At Lopez, Severt & Pratt Co., we bring over 100 years of combined legal experience to criminal defense in Miami County, and we handle sensitive matters with the discretion and care they demand.

Our team includes former prosecutors and public defenders who understand how criminal cases are built and challenged in Miami County courts. That inside perspective, combined with our long-standing presence in Troy, gives our clients a defense foundation rooted in local experience. We offer a free initial consultation, and we can communicate clearly with you at every stage.

To set up a free consultation with our statutory rape attorneys in Troy, contact us online today.

Why Work With an Experienced Statutory Rape Attorney in Troy?

Choosing a statutory rape lawyer in Troy means working with a team that has deep local roots, proven credentials, and community recognition spanning more than a decade. Lopez, Severt & Pratt Co. combines the resources of a major firm with the personalized attention of a hometown practice. Our attorneys include former prosecutors and public defenders, giving us direct insight into how Miami County criminal charges are built and presented, which means we know where to look for potential weaknesses in the case against you.

In a community as close-knit as Troy, the local relationships and reputation of your defense attorney can carry real weight during negotiations and hearings. We know the court schedules, pretrial motion practices, and prosecutorial tendencies specific to this jurisdiction. That knowledge shapes every strategic decision we make on your behalf.

100+ years of combined experience: We’ve handled complex criminal cases throughout Ohio courts.
Community-trusted firm: Voted best law firm in Troy since 2010 by Troy Daily News readers.
AV Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent rating: Recognized for the highest standards of ethics and legal ability.
Super Lawyers recognized: Our attorneys hold Super Lawyers and Super Lawyers Rising Stars designations.
Ohio State Bar certified recognition: Credentialed across our areas of practice.
Flexible meeting options: Home, hospital, or jail visits when you can’t come to us.

What Ohio Law Defines as Statutory Rape

In Ohio, what most people call statutory rape is formally charged as unlawful sexual conduct with a minor under Ohio Revised Code Section 2907.04. The offense applies when a person 18 or older engages in sexual conduct with someone who is 13 to 15 years old. Ohio’s age of consent is 16, and the law treats anyone under that age as legally incapable of consenting to sexual activity with an adult. Consent is not a recognized defense.

Penalties under ORC 2907.04 are determined by the age difference between the parties and by prior criminal history:

Less than four years older (first-degree misdemeanor): Ohio’s Romeo and Juliet provision under ORC 2907.04(B)(2) applies in qualifying cases, reducing the offense to a misdemeanor, but it doesn’t eliminate the charge.
Four to ten years older (fourth-degree felony): Carries significantly greater potential penalties than the misdemeanor tier.
Ten or more years older (third-degree felony): One of the most serious classifications under this statute.
Prior conviction under ORC 2907.02, 2907.03, or 2907.04 (second-degree felony): The most severe penalty tier under this offense.

A conviction also typically triggers mandatory sex offender registration under Ohio’s Sex Offender Registration and Notification (SORN) law. These consequences extend well beyond a prison sentence, affecting where a person can live and work for years or decades. That’s why retaining a statutory rape attorney in Troy as early as possible matters so much.

How Statutory Rape Cases Move Through Miami County Courts

Cases proceed through one of two venues depending on the severity of the charge. Felony charges fall under the Miami County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Misdemeanor-level charges, including cases qualifying under the Romeo and Juliet provision, are typically handled in Miami County Municipal Court. Both courts are in Troy.

Our attorneys have experience in both venues and understand how cases move through the local system, including scheduling practices, pretrial motion procedures, and the prosecutorial tendencies specific to Miami County. That familiarity matters when strategic decisions need to be made quickly.

The Investigation Phase

A statutory rape case can begin with a law enforcement investigation before any arrest is made. Investigators may attempt to contact the accused directly during this phase, and speaking to them without an attorney present carries real risk. Statements made at this stage can be used against you later. Your right to remain silent applies from the moment law enforcement contacts you, and exercising that right while retaining counsel can help limit how evidence is gathered early in the process.

From Arraignment Through Resolution

Once charges are filed, the process typically moves through arraignment, a bond hearing, pretrial motions, and then either plea negotiations or trial. Pretrial motions challenging the constitutionality of evidence collection, witness statements, or other procedural issues may significantly affect how a case proceeds. Our team reviews every angle at each stage and keeps you informed of your realistic options throughout.

Throughout your case, we provide:

Consultation: A private, confidential meeting to review your situation and answer your immediate questions.
Case analysis: Our criminal defense team examines the details and identifies available defense strategies.
Communication: We keep you updated at every step, without legal jargon.
Local knowledge: We know Miami County court schedules, pretrial practices, and the judges and prosecutors handling these cases.
Flexible support: If you can’t come to us, we arrange meetings at your location or at the jail.

How Our Troy Statutory Rape Attorneys Support You

Statutory rape charges affect not only the accused but their families, employment, and standing in the community. When you work with Lopez, Severt & Pratt Co., you get a defense team that understands Ohio criminal law and the specific community context of Troy. We handle sensitive matters with discretion, recognizing that privacy matters as much as legal strategy when your reputation is at stake. Our presence in Troy gives us insight into how local public perception can affect a client’s case and day-to-day life. This is a factor that can matter in a close-knit community.

Our role extends beyond the courtroom. We can advise you on every contact with law enforcement, manage communication with the court, and make sure your constitutional rights are protected at every stage of the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Potential Consequences of a Statutory Rape Charge in Ohio?

Penalties can range from misdemeanor jail time to several years in prison, depending on the age difference and any prior criminal history. A conviction also typically requires mandatory sex offender registration, which carries lasting restrictions on where you can live and work, ongoing reporting obligations, and community notification requirements.

How Is Statutory Rape Different From Other Sex Offenses in Ohio?

Ohio charges this offense as unlawful sexual conduct with a minor under ORC 2907.04. It focuses specifically on sexual conduct involving a person aged 13 to 15 and an adult, and it differs from rape (which requires force or involves a victim under 13) and from sexual battery. The age difference between the parties determines whether the charge is a felony or misdemeanor.

Will My Case Be Handled in Troy or Another Court?

Felony charges go through the Miami County Court of Common Pleas; misdemeanor charges, including qualifying Romeo and Juliet cases, go through Miami County Municipal Court. Both are in Troy, Ohio.

Should I Talk to Police Before Contacting a Lawyer?

No. Your right to remain silent applies from the moment law enforcement contacts you. Statements made to investigators without an attorney present can be used against you in court. Retaining counsel before speaking to police gives your attorney the opportunity to engage with investigators on your behalf.

What Happens to Sex Offender Registration If I’m Convicted?

A conviction under ORC 2907.04 typically results in mandatory registration under Ohio’s SORN law. The tier and duration depend on the age difference and any prior criminal history. Tier II requires reporting every 180 days for 25 years; Tier III requires reporting every 90 days for life. Most sex crime convictions in Ohio can’t be expunged or sealed.

What Should I Do If I’m Under Investigation but Haven’t Been Charged Yet?

Contact a defense attorney immediately. Retaining counsel during the investigation phase allows your attorney to engage with investigators on your behalf, advise you on what not to say, and work to limit how evidence is gathered before charges are filed.

Can I Get Flexible Service If I Can’t Visit Your Office?

Yes. Our attorneys arrange home, hospital, or jail visits for clients who can’t travel to the office, so you get the legal support you need without unnecessary barriers.

Contact a Statutory Rape Lawyer in Troy for a Free Consultation

If you’re facing statutory rape charges or an active investigation in Troy, Lopez, Severt & Pratt Co. is ready to help. We offer a free initial consultation, handle every matter with discretion, and provide the clear communication and committed advocacy you need when the stakes are this high. Our attorneys serve clients throughout Troy and Miami County, Ohio.

Call (937) 400-3170 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today.

Ohio Sex Offender Registration: What a Conviction Under ORC 2907.04 Means

For anyone charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in Ohio, the prison sentence is only part of the consequence. A conviction under ORC 2907.04 typically triggers mandatory classification and registration under Ohio’s Sex Offender Registration and Notification (SORN) law. Understanding how that system works is essential to grasping the full, long-term weight of these charges.

Ohio’s Three-Tier Registration System

Ohio classifies convicted sex offenders into three tiers based on the nature of the offense. Under ORC 2907.04, the applicable tier tracks directly to the age difference between the parties:

Tier I: Annual registration for 15 years. A conviction where the offender is less than four years older than the victim typically results in Tier I classification.
Tier II: Registration every 180 days for 25 years. A conviction where the offender is four or more years older, but less than ten years older, than the victim typically results in Tier II classification.
Tier III: Registration every 90 days for life. A conviction where the offender is ten or more years older than the victim, a third-degree felony under ORC 2907.04, typically results in Tier III classification.

Registration requirements include reporting to the county sheriff’s office and providing current address, employment, and vehicle information. Failure to comply is itself a criminal offense under Ohio law.

Restrictions Beyond Registration

Registered sex offenders in Ohio may face residency restrictions near schools, daycare centers, and parks. Employment in certain fields, including education, healthcare, and positions involving contact with minors, may be permanently closed. Community notification requirements mean that neighbors, schools, and others in the area may receive information about a registrant’s presence.

Why the Charge Stage Is the Most Important Opportunity

In Ohio, most sex crime convictions can’t be expunged or sealed. Once a conviction is entered and a registration obligation attaches, there’s no administrative process to remove it. That makes the defense stage, from the initial investigation through trial or plea negotiations, the most significant opportunity a person has to protect their record and future.

Accepting a plea arrangement that includes sex offender registration is a permanent, life-altering decision. Before agreeing to any resolution that carries registration consequences, it’s important to have the full picture reviewed by experienced counsel who understands both Ohio’s SORN framework and the specific facts of your case.

What Sets Us Apart?

Your Case Matters to Us
We handle every case with compassion, efficiency, and a personal touch; you'll never feel like just a number.
We Have Extensive Resources
We have the resources, ability, and prestige of a large law firm with the personal service of a hometown firm.
A Well-Established Firm

With over 100 years of combined experience, our team has the skills and knowledge to help you win.

Get A Consultation Today

Contact our Dedicated Team to Get Started

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Are you a new client?
Please make a selection.
How can we help you?
Please enter a message.
- By signing up for text messages, you agree to receive text messages from Lopez, Severt & Pratt Co. at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. If you require assistance, reply HELP, or you can call 937-400-3170 or email us at lsp@lsplaw.org to reach our office. You can opt-out at any time by replying STOP. View our Privacy Policy here.

Helpful Articles

Visit Our Blog