Every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America , someone is sexually assaulted? Did you also know that1 in every 4 women experienced completed or attempted rape during her college years and there were roughly 89,110 rapes reported in America in 2006 alone?

Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact in which a person is tricked, lured, bribed, or forced into without his/her consent. Sexual assault is most often a felony crime and it is punishable by prison.

If you have been accused of sexual assault, whether you are guilty or not, you should hire a criminal lawyer or attorney to help you with your case. If you are suing a person or persons who have been convicted of sexual assault for damages resulting from the crime, you will need to hire a civil lawyer or attorney. Even if the person was not convicted and you feel they should have been, and you want to sue them for damages -- you should hire a civil lawyer or attorney. Criminal lawyers and attorneys represent individuals who have been charged with crimes by arguing their cases in courts of law. A criminal lawyer or attorney will typically have a private practice concentrating on criminal law.

If you have been arrested for sexual assault, you should request an attorney or contact a private criminal lawyer or attorney immediately. There are many things to look for when hiring a criminal lawyer or attorney. A good criminal attorney will be familiar with important sexual assault laws of the state in which the crime took place, because many criminal law rules are hidden away in court interpretations of federal and state constitutions.

Criminal lawyers and attorneys will also be familiar with local court customs and procedures that you just can’t find in a book. They will also have a clear understanding of the "hidden costs" of pleading guilty, they will spend significant amounts of time on your case, they will hire and manage investigators, and they will research and gather vital information from prosecution witnesses. They will also have an eye for those who embellish and an ear for the facts.

If you are ready to contact a criminal lawyer or attorney, visit the American Bar Association. The ABA offers free access to their lawyer locator, a search function that can help you search for a suitable criminal lawyer or attorney in your area.

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